First Profession of the Vows of Sr. Marie Sweet Candelaria, F.I. and Sr. Emily Espino, F.I. on October 28, 2008, Feast of  Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

          In the presence of the Sisters from the communities of the Hijas de Jesus in Metro Manila, the families, friends, neighbors and benefactors with Fr. Mark Grima , MSSP, as main celebrant and homilist among the six priests, Srs. Marie Sweet Cadelaria and Emily Espino made their first profession of the vows in the hand of Sr. Georgita Hormillosa, F.I., Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province last October 28, 2008 at the Manresa Retreat House Chapel, Banawe, Quezon City.

Fr. Lorenzo, MCCJ, reads the Gospel , behind him are the concelebrants: Fr. Jeyaraj, SJ; Fr. Yves, (MCCJ) Comboni Misionary; Fr. Mark, MSSP;   Fr. Nick Cruz, SJ;  and Fr. Joseph (Hidden)

          The Eucharist, a real sacrament of thanksgiving and an occasion of joy, was a concelebration of welcome  and openness to a universal spirit, having six  priests of different nationalities: Maltese, Italian, Congolese, Sri Lankan, Chinese,  and Filipino among them, two are Jesuits, two Comboni Missionaries, a Missionary of St. Paul, and A Chinese Priest from the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Damar Village.

. The Liturgical songs were also of the same spirit as the choir sang in Chinese, Spanish, English,  Filipino and Cebuano, which is the mother tongue of the families of Marie Sweet and Emily and many of the Sisters. This seems to be a foreshadowing of what is to come for these two future missionaries…

          Fr. Mark Grima, MSSP,  explained in his homily what it meant to be a consecrated person, a person who vows herself to God, and offers herself totally, forgetting herself and instead giving of herself to God and to others, especially to those in need. He also elaborated, addressing himself  to the two young sisters who were in rapt attention, the meaning of the vows which they were about to profess.

Fr. Mark Grima, MSSP, blesses the Insignia of Sr. MArie Sweet Candelaria

 

            

Sr. Georgita Hormillosa, the Provincial Superior gave her word of thanks addressing the parents and relatives of Srs. Marie and Emily in Cebuano which made them happy and more responsive. She also thanked the priests, the relatives and friends  for their presence, their prayers and for being one with the Hijas de Jesus in this joyful event.

 

 

After the celebration, all were invited to simple merienda, in  a very familial and joyful sharing  and togetherness, all enjoyed  time with one another as they partook of the simple food.

          We thank God for the gift of vocation of Srs. Marie Sweet Candelaria and Emily Espino to our Congregation. We accompany them with our prayers as they continue deepening in their love and commitment to the Lord in the spirit of Mother Candida. We echo a line in the final song which says: “May our lives be a blessing and light to the nations, a sign of the reign of God.”  May it be so for them and for all of us as well.