Maria Georgina “Maggie” Cogtas (Photo taken from Cogtas' Facebook account)
CEBU City, Jan. 26, 2016 – An AB Psychology graduate is expected to inspire delegates of the ongoing 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu on Jan. 29 with her rise from poverty and experience as a former neglected child and scavenger.
“It is in our brokenness that we are able to share with others and in the process allow the healing of our past and renew our connection with God,” said Maria Georgina “Maggie” Cogtas in a statement.
According to the Cebuana, the Lord allows people to be broken for them to learn the importance of giving.
Rejection, indifference
Cogtas is one of several people set to give their testimonies during the catechesis “The Eucharist: Dialogue with the Poor and the Suffering” on Jan. 29, Friday, to be given John Cardinal Onaiyekan, DD.
In her own testimony, she said she aims to correct the mistaken view that poverty is limited to not having enough material wealth because it also includes the experience of rejection and indifference.
She noted the poor feel poorer when they know they have no one to care for them, and feel unwanted and left out.
‘Not belonging’
What hurts the most is when you feel you do not belong,” explained Cogtas.
She expressed confidence IEC delegates have much to learn from her testimony.
“We can use our brokenness to grow. We may have bitter experiences in the past, but from it we can become positive in life,” she said.
The chairman of Dilaab Foundation, Fr. Carmelo Diola and its executive director, Tess Tejero sent Cogtas to the University of Cebu (UC) where she graduated on Oct. 19, 2015 at the top of her class. (Raymond A. Sebastián / CBCP News with reports from Elias O. Baquero)
