Philips Visits Boracay

PHILIPS VISITS BORACAY

Holy Week Music

Tips for the Discerner

On Listening to the Word

Choosing the right congregation should not be the primary consideration of any young person who is thinking of becoming a religious priest, brother or sister.

The starting point is always the Word of God because the call uses the language of the One who Calls, not the language of the called.

In other words, immerse yourself in the word of God, in the study of the scriptures, in the homilies of the priests.

Maybe a good analogy is that of an author or a writer. Say you read Bo Sanchez, Jessica Zafra and Ricky Lo regularly. After some time, you are so immersed in their style of writing and in their distinct vocabulary that you don't need to look at the byline. You know the Writer because you are very familiar with the writing. You can distinguish one from the other. Such as, when the article is full of angst and irony, then must be Jessica. If it talks of showbiz gossip and latest scandal, you wont attribute it to Bo, because you are familiar with B's thoughts. Must be Ricky Lo.

The same way with listening to the promptings of the spirit. You can only affirm the voice and the message if you have listened enough to the point that your heart tells you that this is is! This is God's voice talking to me.

Try reading some excellent blogs like Faithofacenturion by Fr. JBoy Gonzales, usccb, the goodnews.

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Formal Name: DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Commonly Called As: The DC sisters, the Daughters, Daughters of Charity Classification: Society of Apostolic Life

Habit: simple blouse and skirt in shades of blue with a very ordinary veil (see sample below)

Foundational Data:

In December of 1617 , the association of the Ladies of Charity was officially formed by Vincent de Paul. Realizing that these young girls would need some formal religious and secular education , Vincent turned to Louise de Marillac, his friend and collaborator in many charitable works, and asked her to train these first recruits. On November 29, 1633 , she took four peasant girls into her simple home in Paris and fashioned them into true servants of the poor-the first Daughters of Charity.

Vision/Charism:

We, the Daughters of Charityof the Philippine Province,envision ourselvesas a community of women given to God,living out our passion for Christ andfor persons who are poorin the Vincentian spirit of Humility,Simplicity and Charity,towards the realization of theReign of God.




Claim to History: One of earliest religious communities in the country and very instrumental during the Philippine Revolution. Their shelters and orphanages were the refuges of the poor then and now.



Five Reasons Why You Might Be Attracted:

a. It's status as society of apostolic life is unique. Members do not have perpetual vows, they have annual vows.

b. Probably one of the biggest congregations in the country and throughout the world - the possibilities of mission is endless. The Daughters are very brave to enter into new modes of living their religious life.

c. The spirituality is well-defined and very relevant to our times.

d. The sisters are very keen in professionalizing their human resources. Sisters are encouraged to take post-graduate courses.

e. Julma Neo is reason enough.


Reasons Why You Might Be Discouraged:

a. Most of the Filipina sisters are still traditional and may frown on the behaviors of the young generation.

b. The formation program has not solidified into the distinct character of the society - most of the studies are still towards religious life.

Best For:

Professional women with a strong sense of mission.

Contacts:

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

P.O. Box 7274 Domestic Airport Post Office,

Pasay City 301 Metro Manila , PHILIPPINES

Secretariat: Tel. No. (+632) 837–1008Telefax: (+632) 838-8987



website: http://www.dcphilippines.org/

Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Formal Name: Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Commonly Called As: ICM Sisters
Classification: Apostolic, missionary congregation

Habit: Optional

Foundational Data: Mother Marie Louise De Meester founded the Religious - Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) in Mulagumoodu, India in 1897. Born on April 8, 1857 in Roeselare, a coastal town in Belgium, Maria grew up to be a talented young lady with a love for the missions. At age 22, she joined the Canonesses of St. Augustine in leper, Belgium, where she received the religious name, Dame Marie Louise.

Vision/Charism/Mission Statement:

Our preferential option is for the poor. We are ready to go to peoples of other nationalities, races, cultures, religions, ideologies to be witnesses to the unity to which humankind is called in Jesus Christ and so to participate in the local Church’s mission.


Claim to History: St. Theresa's College formed some of best women leaders in the country


Five Reasons Why You Might Be Attracted:

a. a very strong missionary spirit permeates the whole congregation

b. openness of the sisters to try out something new

c. anchored on the values of justice, peace and integrity of creation

d. a very solid history of being one of the best educators in the country

e. a chance to be assigned to exotic countries like Mongolia, the Bahamas, Zimbabwe

Reasons Why You Might Be Discouraged:

a. community life is very erratic, relationships of the sisters are not as intimate compared with other congregations

b. formation program surprisingly does not float with the rest of their directions

c. strong women leaders sometimes can be intimidating to the young ones

Best For: Young independent women with a passion for justice and peace


Contacts

Tabuk: Sr. Lita Perez,icmCP#: 09198905213 Email: promotabuk@icmphilippines.org

Ilocos Sur:Sr. Lucy Andrews,icmCP#: 09196153158 Email: promoilocos@icmphilippines.org
La Union:Sr. Jelli Cruz,icmCP#: 09198531718Email: promolaunion@icmphilippines.org
Baguio:Sr. Cora Sastre,icmCP#: 09213044262Email: promobaguio@icmphilippines.org
Banawe:Sr. Anita Inyat,icmSr. Marie-Jeanne Pardou, icm CP#: 09184008422Email: promobanawe@icmphilippines.org

NCR:Sr. Emma de Guzman,icmSr. Remedios Encarnacion, icm CP#: 09184648191Email: promoncr@icmphilippines.org
Visayas
Carrascal: Sr. Gina Berin, icm CP#: 09182587246Email: promocarrascal@icmphilippines.org

Cebu:Sr. Tessie Reyes, icm CP#: 09204380082Email: promocebu@icmphilippines.org

website: http://www.icmphilippines.org/

Servants of the Blessed Sacrament

Formal Name: Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Commonly Called As: Blessed Sacrament Sisters, or SSS
Classification: Contemplative

Monicker: Servants of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers ( as they used to serve the SSS priests)

Habit: see picture above



Foundational Data: Founded in France in 1858 by St. Peter Julian Eymard, the Apostle of the Eucharist, with the collaboration of Mother Marguerite Guillot, first Superior General. It was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1871..

Vision/Charism' "We live by the Eucharist and for the Eucharist. Our prayer is centered on the Blessed Sacrament continuously exposed in our public Chapels. We make each of our houses a Eucharistic Center, Where many people can share in our life of prayer and find helps for their spiritual development and Eucharistic formation."


Claim to History: Pioneered in the Promotion of the Adoration of the Eucharist


Five Reasons Why You Might Be Attracted:

a. contemplative life in a non-cloistered environment, this is very attractive to the young generation

b. well-defined formation program with professional, well-trained formators

c. community life is simple

d. The Eucharist, that should be attraction enough

e. slowly but surely growing its way into the Philippine church




Reasons Why You Might Be Discouraged:

a. well, because it is a contemplative community, there is not much pastoral involvement which might discourage those who seek dynamic ministries

b. limited areas - they are in Metro Manila and Davao

c. very low-key


Best For: those called to a life of contemplation and those who love the Eucharist


Contacts

The Vocation Directress:
Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Zabarte Subd. Novaliches, Q.C.
Tel. 939-5523
Cellphone: 0919-846-3415
e-mail: servants_voc@yahoo.com

In Davao City:
Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Jacinto Extension, 8000 Davao City
Tel. (082) 305- 7395
Cellphone: 0915-569-9121
e-mail : servantsdvo@yahoo.com

website: http://www.blessedsacramentph.org/

Religious of the Good Shepherds

Formal Name: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

Commonly Called As: Religious of the Good Shepherd, RGS Sisters

Classification: One Congregation, Two Vocations (active and contemplative)

Monicker: (In Baguio, Ube Jam Sisters)

Habit: For special occasions, white, for others, the RGS sisters are basically free to wear anything they want, depending on the needs of their ministry,and their own local reality

Foundational Data:The Good Shepherd Congregation was founded in Angers, France in 1835 by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier.

Vision/Charism

We desire a Province of communities of compassion in radical incarnation of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

We dream of a world transformed in Jesus Christ where there is fullness of life for all beings; where no one is marginalized, oppressed or exploited; where everyone enjoys the all-embracing security of God' s care.

Claim to History: Being at the Forefront for the Fight for Justice,Peace and Integrity of Creation.

Dubious Distinction: Providing Shelther and Home to Rich, Problematic Women in the Past

Five Reasons Why You Might Be Attracted:

a. A spirituality of zeal and compassion permeates the RGS communities and ministries. Among the congregation in the Philippines, this one pioneered in delving into their rich history and contextualizing their spiritual heritage

b. A parade of names who helped define Philippine society: Sr. Christine Tan, Sr. Pilar Versoza, among others

c. Ministries of compassion especially for women is so contemporary and relevant

d. well-defined missionary direction, almost incomparable.

e. The love for the poor is very evident in their lifestyle

Reasons Why You Might Be Discouraged:

a. internal tensions from the past have not been healed, and continue to create a different culture

b. the various ministries can be very demanding, and stressful

c. community life is not that "family life" compared to other congregations, the sisters treat each other as professionals

Best For: Feminists

Contacts

Sr. Gemma Dinglasan, RGSLuzon Vocation Directress
1043 Aurora Blvd., Quezon CityTel.: (632) 913-6407 Fax: (632) 913-6435

Email: vocprom@i-manila.com.ph.

Sr. Zeny Clemen, RGSVisayas Vocation Directress
Banawa Hills, Cebu Cityor P.O. Box 2606000 Cebu CityFax: (032) 254-1631 (Convent) (032) 253-4194

Email: Zenyclemen@yahoo.com

Sr. Amy David, RGSMindanao Vocation Directress
200 Blas Chavez Velez St.Bulua, 9000 Cagayan de Oro CityTel. (08822) 726-270 Office (08822) 735-476

ConventEmail: shepherd@lycos.com

website: http://www.goodshepherdsisters.org.ph/