April 24 is the feast of St. Mary Euphrasia, foundress of the Religious of the Good Shepherd.
Born on July 31, 1796 in Noirmoutier, France, Rose Virginie Pelletier entered the convent of Our Lady of Charity founded by St. John Eudes. She was inspired to work for the creation of a central government for sisters and on January 16, 1835, the Generalate was established. After founding many houses in France and in various parts of the world, Mary Euphrasia passed away on April 24, 1868.
Her virtues were extraordinary and that led to requests for her to be beatified then canonized. She was made a saint on May 2, 1940, in Rome.
Today, 144 years after SME's death, and on the occasion of the Centennial of presence of Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines, several sisters also mark their Jubilees:
Diamond Jubilee
Sr. M. Veronica Mondoñedo and Sr. M. Therese Veloso mark this 2012 their 65th year of Entrance to the Novitiate in Los Angeles-- April 24, 1947. Sr. Veronica is the first Bridgetine to join the RGS.
Golden Jubilee
Sr. M. Victoria Joson marks her Golden Jubilee of Entrance to the Novitiate on April 24. The celebrations were held on February 19, 2012 in Maryridge, Tagaytay.
Silver Jubilee
Two Good Shepherd Sisters-- Sr. M. Teresita Figueroa and Sr. Ma. Teresa Danganan, celebrated their silver jubilee of profession of Vows in Quezon City.
Twenty-five years ago, the two sisters made their first profession of vows on March 25, feast of Annunciation.
At present, Sr. Teresita is Directress of Temporary Professed Sisters and Sr. Teresa is Directress of Novices.
Photo: Sr. M. Teresita, left, and Sr. Ma. Teresa, near the statue of St. Mary Euphrasia.
Presider of the April 24, 3:30 p.m. Eucharistic Celebration, to be held at the Good Shepherd Chapel in Quezon City, was Fr. Francis Gustilo SDB.
View Photo Gallery: Silver Jubilee 2012 (More photos and articles to follow)