It is time to celebrate. Sisters and mission partners celebrate reunification through merger of the the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity and the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd on June 27, feast of the Sacred Heart.
At the Good Shepherd Convent in Quezon City, the triduum was started Tuesday, June 23 with Sr. Irene Lat, the oldest Good Shepherd Sister in religion making the announcement of the merger of the two congregations during vespers. Sisters reflected on God's words through the writings of Sr. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia.
On the second day of the triduum was highlighted by the sharing of Sr. Stefania Simona Aceti OLC and Sr. Justicia Pili of the OLC Good Shepherd. Sr. Stefania of Italy who arrived in the Philippines early this year for studies and apostolic experience shared that when she joined the OLC in Italy, the Journey of Enrichment has not started yet. It was during her novitiate in Mexico that sisters of the two congregations began the journey. She was able to attend the sessions in Angers, France for the members of the two congregations to get to know one another-- shared history, shared charism, shared spirituality.
She shared the joy of experiencing that the two congregations shared the same mission.
Sr. Justicia, on the other hand, said that she missed also the celebrations in Kenya as the members of the two congregations had journeyed and had sessions together on many occasions as part of the process. The Sisters of OLC have been in Kenya for the past 50 years while the Good Shepherd Sisters, 25.
On June 27, the two congregations will be joined in the celebration by four Eudists priests and 14 Eudist seminarians. Fr. Ron Bagley CJM, coordinator of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary inthe Philippine mission will be the presider of the Eucharistic celebration.
As suggested by the Ritual Committee, the Philippine Province will use the prayers from the congregational booklet on our titular feast.
Druing the occasion, Sr. M. Cecilia Torres, province leader, will also present to Sr. Stefania a congregational symbol and a copy of the 2009 Constitutions.
Those present will also sign their names on a big board that will be framed and displayed, symbol that a great event is taking place.
There are 22 apostolic communities and four contemplative communities in the Philippines. Worldwide, there are close to 4000 sisters missioned in 75 counties. The OLC number nearly 400 sisters.
The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity was founded by St. John Eudes on November 25, 1641 and the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (CJM or Eudists) on March 25, 1643. The Good Shepherd congregation was established on Janury 16, 1835.
 |
 |