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Sister Endah is married to God. And even though she doesn’t take her final vows for another five years, it looks like this is a match made in heaven. A member of the Good Shepherd Sisters Convent in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, Sister Endah tells us what it’s like to be a mother to 29 girls and about the moment she knew she was cut out to be a woman of the cloth.

How long have you been a nun?

I’m a junior sister, I came here six months ago. I’m a fresh graduate [smiles].

How many women were in your ‘class’?

I was the only one. There were four sisters ahead of me. I’ve spent six years training to become a nun: one as a candidate, two in postulancy and two years as a novice. Last year I took my perpetual vow and here I am. I will take my final vows in five years.

So what exactly goes on at the convent here? What do you do?

There are seven sisters here and we do quite a bit. I’m in charge of the Parartasih, the girls’ shelter, but we have other activities and programs. We have Villa Shalom, the temporary home for unwed mothers-to-be, and Bethania, the crisis center for single mothers and abused women.

How many girls do you have at the shelter? Do they live here?

Yes. We have 29 girls living here.

Where did the girls come from?

Many of them come from broken homes, some were abused by their parents. Some of them came to us by themselves and others were brought in by their families.

How long can they stay here?

The shelter is different from an orphanage. Here, we let them stay for three to five years, depending on their circumstances, and then we send them back to live with their families. During the stay, the girls and the families both receive counseling.

The girls eventually move back home?

Yes, the whole idea of counseling every week and sharing every month would be pointless unless the parents were involved.

Do the girls ever want to just stay here instead of going home to their families?

Yes, it happens. Some of the less-fortunate girls, when they are allowed to go home for the weekend, ask if they can stay here.

What time does a nun wake up in the morning?

We wake up at 4:30 a.m. and I go to bed at 11. It’s lights out for the girls at 10 p.m., but they usually stay up chatting, so I have to go around and make sure they’re all asleep before I go to bed.

Would you say you’re married to God?

Yes, of course!

How come you’re not dressed the way I picture a nun?

We wear the habit and things like that on Sundays or special days. When I go to the market I’m dressed like this.

What made you want to don the habit?

My environment. My mother worked in a Catholic hospital in Semarang and she often took me with her. In the hospital, I saw a lot of Franciscan nuns. I don’t know why but they simply amazed me. As a kid, I always wanted to be one of them.

[ Achoo!] I just sneezed. Aren’t you going to say anything?

Oh, I’m sorry, am I suppose to say something? We don’t do anything like that here.

How old are the girls here?

They have to be at least 12 years old. We have girls of all ages, up to 18.

Do you only accept Catholics?

No, we accept anyone, of any religion. We are not here to sermonize or convert anyone, but when they stay here there are duties which everyone needs to perform. If they feel reluctant, then we can still help by finding a suitable shelter for them.

Duties, like you have to go to chapel?

Yes, everyone must go to the chapel for morning and night prayer together. Also, there are other things, like you must wash your own clothes and do chores.

Where do you get the patience to handle all of this?

I love the girls. I can get angry too, but every time my patience is tested, I remind myself of the words of Saint Maria Eufrasia: one individual is worth more than the whole world. I believe that every single person is precious. Even though sometime they’re naughty, each one of them is precious.