Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines marked on May 11, 2011, the 50th year of establishment of the contemplatives in the country.
Eucharistic celebrations were held especially in Cebu, Tagaytay, Butuan and Virac.
The first contemplative community in the Philippines was founded on May 11, 1961 in Quezon City.
During the Eucharistic celebration for the Golden Jubilee held in Maryridge, Tagaytay, Sr. Betty Therese Ramos traced the journey of the contemplatives in the country from its establishment in 1961, the transfer to Cebu City in 1971, the foundation of the Tagaytay community in 1981, the opening of the convent in Butuan in 1992, the radical response of the sisters to go to Innsbruck, Austria to help in refounding the contemplatives in Europe, the zeal to begin a new foundation in Virac in 2005 and the courage to go to Angola to be part of the international contemplative community that was formed in 2008.
Presider of the Mass in Tagaytay was Fr. Victor Agius of the Focolare Movement. He has known the contemplatives for many years. He recalled the many interesting stories and encounters he had with the sisters, the many occasions of renovations of the chapel and the fidelity of the sisters to continue its mission of prayer. Concelebrants were Eudist priests in Philippine Mission, François Jourdan of France and Jose Gomez of Colombia.
Sr. Cecilia Torres, province leader, read the message of Sr. Brigid Lawlor, congregational leader, greeting the contemplatives on this joyful occasion. She said, “Over the past 50 years you have lived how a community spirit nurtures new life and the spread of contemplative communities.Indeed in your daily lives, “mysterious work goes on in the hive” of your convent, the mystery of God’s holy work. May this celebration give each one of you a renewed joy in your call as a contemplative sister and may your life of prayer for others continue to extend the mercies of our Shepherd-God.” (Full text is below.)
Sr. Celeste Engutan, local leader of the contemplatives in Tagaytay, with community members Srs. Therese Veloso, Raphaela Andaquig, Laarni Bongato and Josefina Stella, thanked the benefactors, friends and apostolic sisters who came to celebrate with them. Sr. Kristiana NKR Prasetyo, a temporary professed contemplative sister who will soon take theological studies also attended the celebrations.
A video of the 50 years of the contemplatives was shown after the Mass. Good Shepherd Sisters from various communities in Luzon came, as well as Good Shepherd Sisters from other countries who are in the Philippines for studies. Faculty and staff of St. Bridget College who were on retreat, at the time, also joined the celebrations. Venue of the Tagaytay celebration was Maryridge.
Of the 26 contemplative sisters in the country, three are from other countries in Asia-- Malaysia and Indonesia -- Sr. Lilly Sorop, Sr. Mirianti Han and Sr. Kristiana.
View: CGS Golden Jubilee Photo Gallery
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Sr. Cecilia Torres To: Contemplative Sisters As you gather to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the presence of contemplative sisters in the Philippines, I am sure there is a great deal of excitement, thanksgiving, and joy! And, indeed, there is cause to celebrate!
Indeed in your daily lives, “mysterious work goes on in the hive” of your convent, the mystery of God’s holy work. May this celebration give each one of you a renewed joy in your call as a contemplative sister and may your life of prayer for others continue to extend the mercies of our Shepherd-God.
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