Previously, I wrote about living in Puerto Rico between three to just short of six years old. It was an auspicious time in my spiritual development, and I want to share it.

As I relate my curious life, I recall memory traces from seven decades ago. It is impossible to reconstruct the exact wording of every conversation. Still, I write about what is essential in my early life, allowing my higher-being mind to reconstruct the words, images, and feelings I experienced.

When my family moved to Puerto Rico, we lived near old San Juan. The house was across the street from several houses belonging to the Catholic Church. These houses held five elderly nuns, one noviciate, five pregnant adolescent girls and several single mothers with young children.

Shortly after our arrival, I was in my front yard and saw a young woman picking flowers. I did not know why she was dressed in such strange clothing, so I crossed the street, looking both ways carefully to introduce myself.

I walked up to her, put my right hand out to shake hers, and introduced myself in English, “Hello. My name is Michael, and I live in the house across the street.”

She smiled and shook my hand, saying, “Hello, Miguel. That is how we say Michael in Spanish. My name is Anna Marie, and I live here. I am a noviciate and will be a full nun when I am older. But the nuns I live with call me Little Sister. It is delightful to make the introduction of such a well-mannered and handsome young man.”

I am sure I must have blushed, for she was beautiful.

Dropping my hand, I asked her, “Sister Anna Marie, why are you wearing a white dress and have your hair covered?”

“Child, I am a novitiate with the Catholic Church, and this is how we dress. Have you not heard of nuns and priests?”

“No, Sister. My parents never took me to meet a nun or a priest. I have never been to church, as I remember. But I think you are beautiful, and I like your smile.”

“Child, you must have been baptised? But that you could not remember. What religion are your parents?”

“I do not know, Sister. They never told me. Is this a bad thing?”

Sister Anna Marie smiled and took my hand, saying, “Come, Miguel, I want you to meet the other Sisters. I am sure they will like you.”

Off we went into the house right across from my house.

We found the other Sisters chatting.

Sister Anna Marie interrupted, “Sisters, I have brought our new neighbour to introduce to you. He is a very polite, and I might add, a most complimentary young man.”

The five older Sisters introduced themselves, and I greeted them in the best gentlemanly manner I knew.

After this, Mother Superior Theresa said, “Let us go to our kitchen and have some cake, and we can all chat.”

Sister Anna Marie took my hand to make sure I felt safe.

I had a lovely time with the Sisters, as they were friendly, telling me about what they did for a job. I found it fascinating.

After we finished the cake, Sister Theresa said, “Sister Anna Marie, I think it is time to take our young man home and meet his parents.”

Sister Anna Marie and I stood up. I thanked the Sisters and said goodbye. Sister Anna Marie took my hand, and we left the house, crossed the street, and went to my front door. Sister Anna Marie knocked on the front door, and our maid, Rosa, opened the door.

Sister Anna Marie and Rosa introduced themselves.

Sister asked for my mother, and Rosa said, “Señora is resting as she has a difficult pregnancy. I take care of Michael’s baby brother. So, Michael spends much of his time alone, as his father works a lot. But, thank God, he does not mind being by himself.”

“There are children his age living at our little home. He might like to spend some time with the other children and us. I am sure the other Sisters would be happy to look after him as they found him to be a proper gentleman. Please tell Señora I would like to care for Michael when convenient.”

Looking at me, Anna Marie said, “If it is OK with your mother, you can spend as much time as you would like with the other Sisters and me. I have already grown fond of you.” 

She turned and returned to her residence.

The next day, my mother visited the Sisters and chatted for some time. She told them she would be happy to have them look after me. She told them she was Lutheran but had no problem with Catholic religious instruction.

So, this is how my life with Sister Anna Marie and the others came about. The years I spent with the Sisters explain my tenderness and concern for pregnant ladies without husbands and single mothers with small children. The Sisters took in young ladies and helped them find a place to live, a job, and sometimes adoptive parents.

My love for red beans with rice and flan came from eating with the Sisters, as I ate meals and slept there most days.

Though I spent much of my time helping Sister Anna Marie, Sister Theresa often would sit with me, ask me questions, and tell me stories from the Bible.

One day, I went to Sister Anna Marie to tell her of my dream about my visit to Heaven, which had happened shortly before I met her. She listened attentively and then took me to tell my dream to Sister Theresa, whom they called Mother Superior.

After I finished, she told Sister Anna Marie, “Sister, I think our young gentleman saw a vision. It surely was not a plain dream. All of us will discuss this later, after evening prayers. I think he deserves some cake.”

So, we left Sister Theresa and ate cake in the kitchen.

I asked, “Sister, what is a vision?”

She replied, “A vision is like a dream, but it comes not from your own imagination but from God. It is a splendid gift from the Holy Ghost. I have told you about the Prophets of the Old Testament also had visions. But do not worry, little friend. We will discuss your vision tonight and seek advice from an old nun living in a large convent. She has visions of Our Lady.”

Nothing was said about my vision for several days.

At last, Sister Anna Marie said, “Miguel, today we go visit the nun who has visions so she can meet you. She said she thinks God spoke to you and is most eager to see you.”

So, Sister Anna Marie and I took the bus to her convent where Sister Agnes Louise lived. It was interesting to watch out the window of the bus. After we arrived, one of the Sisters took us into the garden where Sister Agnes Louise tended the roses.

As we approached her, and before we said a word, Sister Agnes Louise turned to face us, saying, “Dear Sister Anna Marie, I see you brought the boy with you. It is good.”

Sister Agnes Louise asked me many questions about my vision and experience with religious orders. During our conversation, she suddenly stopped speaking, stared ahead momentarily, and resumed her speech.

She said, “Sister, your little friend, who loves you very much, is exceptional indeed. The Holy Ghost took him to meet Our Father, and what he tells us in his vision is accurate. God is most pleased with this little boy, whom God has known for many ages, but Miguel does not remember. His heavenly name is Ezer-el.

“Sister, even though you are young, God has graced his spiritual care to you. He will only be with you briefly, so preparing him to fight the Prince of Darkness will not be easy. The most important thing is to show him the power of God’s unconditional love. He feels this love for you, Sister, though he does not understand yet.

“He needs to feel such love from you because it is the only gift we can give our little warrior to support him. His life will not be easy, so he needs to feel that your love is always with him and will never abandon him. Our Lady’s love will flow via your inner heart into his. Do you understand, Sister?”

“Sister Agnes Louise, I understand. I have loved this little boy since the day we first met. When I am with him, my heart burns. I knew he was special the moment I met him. That God had sent him to me to be loved beyond measure. His little heart touched mine, and the Sacred Heart touched us both. I will be his friend and support always and watch over him.”

Sister Agnes Louise said, “The bus will leave soon. It has been a pleasure spending time with my little warrior. I wish you well. You are in the best hands and heart with Sister Anna Marie. Goodbye, my dears.”

We left and returned home. Sister Anna Marie gave me a big hug and kiss on the forehead.

Then she said, “I love you and feel how much Our Lady loves you. We will always be with you, so never give up. Tomorrow, we will visit the home we found for your friend Jose and his mother. Sweet dreams, my child.”