CORTEZ: God’s language is love

Photo: James Ramos/HeraldWhen I was in school in Guatemala, English class was a subject I rarely paid attention to because I thought I would never use it. So I felt very unprepared for the call to do just that years later, as a religious sister.

On Dec. 3, 2001, Rose Mary Badami, foundress of Magnificat Houses — a ministry to the homeless, mentally ill and those who are released from prison — invited my religious community to serve in Houston. It was a terrifying moment for me, due to not knowing any English, but I was willing to embrace the opportunity to serve in a new environment and culture.

Mother Antonia told Badami that we would come, but that no one spoke English. Badami, who was an entrepreneur, said it was fine and that we should just come with smiles on our faces. However, we were to discover that it was not-so-fine.

At first, we were asked to teach an art class, but due to our lack of English, we could not communicate efficiently with our residents. The only way we could teach them was through hand gestures. Even though our residents were obedient and tried to cooperate, it was not very adequate.

I remember one time a resident called me and asked if we could meet to talk. As he began to share his emotions with me, I tried so hard to really pay attention and understand what he was saying to me; however, I just could not understand a word.

I felt sad because I was unable to understand him, and all I could do was just pat his hand and pray for him. The resident appreciated my listening and told me, “Thank you.” However, this was the moment when I resolved that I must learn English. I believed that in order to serve them appropriately and build better relationships with them, I must know their language.

Another challenge arose one day when I was serving in the soup kitchen, Loaves and Fishes. As I was serving, it was very difficult to communicate with the people who were coming to eat. I wanted to have a conversation with the people, but I could not. 

I was so frustrated that I prayed to Jesus, “Why are you not helping me to understand and speak English? You chose for me to come to Houston to help your poor, but I am unable to because I cannot speak their language.” I believe Jesus just smiled at me, because after that conversation with Him, I felt at peace.

I began to study English at Houston Community College, and I tried my best to learn. Some of the ways that helped me were by listening to children’s stories in English, like Cinderella, The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and stories about saints like St. Teresa of Calcutta and many others.

Learning a new language and a new culture has been a challenge, but God has always helped me. I have been at Magnificat Houses for almost 24 years, serving in admissions, and we currently serve 100 homeless people across our different houses.

To be at Magnificat Houses has been a true blessing. Many of the people we serve have made great changes in their lives, but others, unfortunately, go back to their old ways. Witnessing both the hope and the heartbreak of their journeys has deepened my understanding of my own journey. It reminds me that transformation is not always immediate or linear — whether it is in learning a new language or transforming our way of life.

God does not always call the prepared, but he prepares us on the way. Looking back, I see that this has been a mysterious call, full of unexpected twists and turns, each one shaping me into the servant I am becoming. What once felt impossible has now become my greatest gift: to speak the language of the people I serve, not just with words, but with presence, patience and love. 

Sister Maria Magdalena Cortez, MSME, who works at the Magnificat Houses in Houston, shared her story as part of the “Flourishing Sisterhood” project, an initiative of the Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans. To learn more about the institute and this project, visit www.cnh.loyno.edu/lim.