On January 10, 2016, the SSJ Sisters in Luzon Cluster together with some Lay Josephines, TPMBI Residents, Provincial House collaborators and TDN-Mandaluyong workers gathered
together at the Provincial House and celebrated the 142nd Foundation
Day of the Congregation Siervas de San Jose. The celebration called the Novitiate
Day was spearheaded by C-T Mandaluyong (Novitiate).
It started with the reading of the following part of the
introduction which called to our mind the significance of the celebration:
“On January 7, 1874, in the midst of the economic crisis and
dehumanization effects of the Industrial Revolution in Salamanca, Spain, the
Congregation SIERVAS DE SAN JOSÉ was founded by Fr. Francisco Butinya, SJ and
St. Bonifacia Rodriguez, SSJ to give a concrete response to the plight of
workers especially women workers and young women at risk through the harmony of
prayer and work, Industria Cristiana and preservar.”
“What is the plight of the poor especially workers and women in
the Philippines? Is our Charism still appropriate as a response to the
signs of the time?”
Fr. Nonong, CM shared with us one of the many situations of our
society that greatly affects the poor especially workers and women. In the advocacy
of the group - HUWAG KANG MAGNAKAW (Thou shall
not steal) of the 7th
Commandment, he highlighted his dream for the poor which forms the majority of our
people in the Philippines; that through its advocacy and focus on the
recreation of a cultural change highlighting on HONESTY, the poor will be able
to reclaim their dignity as children of God.
 |
| FR. NONONG, CM |
 |
| SHARING IN DYADS DURING THE TALK OF FR. NONONG |
 |
| SR. ERLIN, SSJ SHARING HER EXPERIENCE AFTER THE DYAD SHARING |
After the sharing of Fr. Nonong, everybody proceeded to the Chapel
for the celebration of the Eucharist which was preceded by two important
activities:
·
Presentation of the Novices of the significance of the Novitiate
Stage in our life as a religious especially as an SSJ and the relevance of
being a novice in the midst of the present realities. The four novices (as one is sick) acted out the presentation.
 |
| SR. JENNY UY, SSJ (FORMATOR OF NOVICES) INTRODUCING THE PRESENTATION OF NOVICES |
 |
| NOVICES' PRESENTATION |
 |
| NOVICES' PRESENTATION |
 |
| NOVICES' PRESENTATION |
·
The very touching sharing of Sr. Paz Banaria, SSJ (perpetually
professed sister) and of Sr. Genelyn Caminian, SSJ (Junior sister) of their
most significant experiences in the Novitiate. Both of them attested that
it was the experience of the God who loved them first that sustained their life
in the Novitiate and up to the present especially in their missionary life.
 |
| SR. PAZ BANARIA, SSJ |
 |
| SR. GENELYN CAMINIAN, SSJ |
As the following last part of the introduction for the mass was
read, everybody was filled with much gratitude to God the giver of life and
vocation, the God, the faithful One who continues to journey with all of us His
beloved ones…
 |
| SR. ROSA LEDESMA, SSJ READING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MASS |
 |
SR. MILAGROS MARAVILLA, SSJ (PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR)
PROCESSING THE SSJ LOGO |
 |
| FR. NONONG, CM PRESIDING THE MASS WITH FR. THOMAS (PRIEST FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA) |
 |
| SR. LIZA CELESTIAL, SSJ (KEY BOARD PLAYER) WITH 2 NOVICES (GUITARISTS) |
“Indeed, it is in this intense moment in the Noviceship when our
foundation for Life is established and strengthened through a deepening
relationship with God, the Giver of vocation and being immersed in the reality
of the poor working world. It is through this that our purpose in life
becomes clearer leading to the recognition of our personal charism that is
within the Congregational Charism so as to be shared as a gift to others as we
collaborate in the building of God’s Kindom.
It is truly a time of grace and celebration to realize that we have before us the constant opportunity to
experience God’s mercy and also, to be God’s mercy to others. And more so
for us, SIERVAS DE SAN JOSE, it is a double gift for we, too, who have
experienced the privilege of being in the Noviceship stage. And so, let
us celebrate with gratitude renewing our commitment to the call of God – to be
bearers of communion in every moment of encounters. With refreshed
spirit, we give thanks to God and to our beloved Founder and Foundress!”
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario