Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

They used to be called CFIC, and count in their roster the great Sister Mariani. That will give you a clue of the kind of life they live. Arguably one of the most post-modern congregations in the country today, the SFIC has wisely defined a life that is both radical yet traditional.

Five reasons you might be attracted to them:

a. The Franciscan spirituality! A deeply beautiful life. Contemplative poverty.

b. Avante garde ministries. The sisters are still in traditional institutions like schools, but they opened new ministries that are quite way off comfort zones (political detainees, cerebral palsy, abused women and exciting stuff like that)

c. Dynamic community life. nothing is boring here. experimentations are allowed. dialogues are part of everyday life.

d. Exceptionally gifted members: People like Sr. Cres Lucero, Sr. Josephini Ambatali, Sr. Immaculee, Sr. Stephanie Quiban

e. The quality of singing is simply angelic and divine.

Why you might be discouraged?

a. The young ones might find it difficult to measure up to the accomplishments established by the trailblazers.

b. a history of communal woundedness: its difficult to explain, but the communal psyche is wounded, it becomes heriditary

c. a fragile initial formation program. The ongoing formation is intact and stable, but the first stages have yet to find a stable footing

Best for: modern women professionals who are assertive

Contacts:

1. SFIC Provincial House# 5 16th StreetNew Manila, 1112 Quezon CityPhilippines
P.O. Box 570 AC P.O. Box 1139Cubao, Quezon City ManilaPhilippines Philippines
tel.: +00-63-2-7217155fax.: +00-63-2-7212159e-mail: mtbravo2001@yahoo.com

Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)

First day of the month, of course I will feature the largest of them all.

Five reasons why it is attractive;

a. PATRIOTISM! The first Filipina congregation EVER!!!! RVM is the first all-Filipino religious congregation for women in the Philippines founded in 1684 by a Filipina, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.

b. STABILITY! It is also the largest Filipino congregation (both male and female), at present has membership of 747, as of the last count

c. HISTORICITY It is the oldest Congregation founded in the Philippines. Its historical value lies not only in its date of founding, but the many roles the sisters played throughout history, especially in the fight for freedom, and in educating millions of Filipinos.

d. EDUCATIVE MINISTRY! a combined total of 76 academic institutions and dormitories. That's enough to launch a spiritual revolution in the country and abroad. That is the potential for change. So, if you have the heart of a teacher or administrator, this one is it.

e. EXCELLENT FORMATORS: RVM can claim to have the most organized formation programs among all congregations in the country, and their formators are the most professionalized.

Five reasons why the congregation might discourage you:

a. Difficult to see poverty among such abundance. Though hardly their fault as the congregation has been blessed with wise financial management, the resulting lifestyle might discourage those who seek a simpler way of living.

b. Systems are so defined that there is little room for creativity. Brilliant educators are part of their leadership, people like Sr. Jackie de Belen, Sr. Evelyn Aguilar (present General), Sr. Assumpta David, Sr. Annie Co, Sr. Fe Gerodias and many more. They have put an impeccable system so flawless that leaves little room for a newcomer's dynamic experimentation.

c. Strict admission procedures. It will be like applying for a multinational corporation, so be ready with an impressive resume.

d. Intimidating figures. Bless their kind hearts, but some RVM sisters are so accomplished that they can be intimidating to young ones.

e. White habit, as in pure virginal white. Try wearing that and play with children in the park!

BEST FOR: Educators! Especially the excellent ones.

Contacts:
214 N. Domingo, 1111 Quezon City726-68-26; (Mother General)Telefax 723-33-44; e-mail: lalie888@yahoo.com (Vicar General)723-44-14; Far 721-80-30;

e-mail: rvmsecretariat@yahoo.com (Secretariat)721-80-23; Telefax 723-46-68; e-mail: rvm_economegeneral@yahoo.com (Econome)723-35-34 (Community)

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