Ave Maria!

THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

The Republic of the Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean at 800 kilometers from the Asian coasts. This archipelago consists of about 7000 islands of volcanic origin, although 94% of the total area is formed only by the 11 inhabited islands. The archipelago extends for more than 800 kilometers and has a mountainous terrain that reaches its highest peak with Mount Apo (2954 meters). The soil, given its volcanic origin, is extremely fertile, especially in the zones of Luzon, Mindanao, and part of Negros. The rivers are almost all seasonal, short, and flow quickly. The tropical climate has an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, with notable variations from day to night temperatures. Frequent rains and typhoons characterize the Filipino climate. The constant volcanic activity makes the whole zone seismic, that is, subject to numerous earthquakes.

In 1565 the Philippines became a Spanish colony and in 1898 they were ceded to the United States. It was not until 1946 that the Philippines succeeding in gaining their independence. The country at that time was led by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, elected in 1965, who imposed martial law from 1972 to 1981. The Marcos administration had a dramatic epilogue in 1986, when the historic People Power Revolution, a popular, peaceful protest broke out, resulting in the president’s exile. Catholics, led by Cardinal Sin, in order to impel Marcos to resign, gathered in the Piazza armed with the Holy Rosary. The prayer of the Holy Rosary, the victorious and most powerful weapon thus far known, obtained that which with difficulty could have been obtained with an armed and violent revolt. Subsequently elected were Corazon C. Aquino, a Catholic whose presidency was of short duration, and then Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada who was forced to resign. Currently the President in office is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The national languages are Philippine (tagalog) and English.

The majority of Filipinos are descended from the fusion of heterogeneous ethnic groups: Malaysian, Mongolians, Chinese, Indian, Spanish, and American. Even though the Catholic religion is the most diffuse in the Philippines, other religions are also present: The Independent Filipino Church; the Church of Christ, that is, the “Iglesia di Kristo” which has many followers; numerous Protestant groups; and Islam.

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate

This mission, which dates back to the distant 1979, was the first mission founded by the community of the Marian House of Frigento, Italy, (the Comunita’ di Casa Mariana di Frigento) in the Italian province of Avellino, according to the style and the details of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe. We will omit here, for reasons of brevity, the early travails of this mission which make up a part of our Institute’s history. Beginning with June 23, 1990, we can affirm that this is the first mission for the Institute of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, founded directly by our Founders in October 1991.

The first community, welcomed by S.E. Riccardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, was established at Lahug, Cebu City, with the title Marian House of the Mother of the Holy Infant (“Casa Mariana Madre del Santo Nino”) and had as its first Superior (Father Guardian) Father Bernardino M. Pedroso. The house was completed on January 1, 1992, and today is the center for the MIM apostolate and formation of the MIM members in Cebu and in the near-by island of Bohol. Due to the large increase in vocations it was necessary to open a new house which, thanks to the contributions of benefactors, was accomplished in Tolo-Tolo, Consolacion, in the province of Cebu, under the protection of Our Lady of Consolation. This new house was inaugurated on November 11, 1994. About two years later, precisely on May 16, 1996, the new Novitiate House was also inaugurated. Currently housed here are several friars in addition to the aspirants who are at the beginning of their religious formation. The priests offer pastoral service to the parishes as well as to various Church groups.

In 1995 the National 'Pro Maria' Center was opened, which was involved principally in publishing and printing. They printed a magazine, “Pro Maria”, which from the very beginning relied exclusively on Providence, and ended up with over 11,000 subscribers. The publishing of this magazine was, however, suspended and replaced with the magazine “Missio Immaculatae International”, edited in Italy. The Center has translated into English several of its works such as: Every Day with Mary, Jesus Our Eucharistic Love; The Holy Rosary and the Saints etc. The Center also makes rosaries and small terracotta statues of the Madonna, and organizes retreats and conferences for both religious groups and lay people. The Center also guides spiritual pilgrimages.

In the year 1993 there was an attempt to open a new house in Laguna, located in South Tagalog, for hosting Italian missionaries and for providing spiritual care for the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in Novaliches. However, because of the excessive noise and also because of the distance from Novaliches, the house was closed. The Filipinos have a great love for Our Lady, the heavenly Queen, the loving Mother who is never outdone in generosity and who blesses Her beloved Filipino people with abundant grace manifested in the flourishing of vocations and Houses. The opening of new houses in the Islands prompted the Minister General to create a General Delegation; the first General Delegate designated was Padre Bonaventura M. Valles, whose charismatic personality attracted many vocations and benefactors. It was, in fact, during his term that the mission experienced a notable increase and development.

In June of 1993, in the Diocese of Nueva Caceres, specifically in the city of Naga, a new Marian House was opened dedicated to “Nostra Signora di Penafrancia”, Patroness of the region of Bicol. In 1996 a radio station was started, called “Radio Caritas Mariae”, whose current director is Padre Giancarlo M. Rosales, Father Superior of the community. Because of a need for more space, a plot of land was acquired in San Felipe, approximately 4 kilometers distant from the city, in which to build a Church, a convent, a radio station, and a community center. In 1998 the friars began the construction of a new Marian House. On September 20, 1999, they moved in. The new Church was dedicated by Archbishop S.E. Mons Leonardo Legaspi and entitled Our Lady Co-Redemptrix, probably the first Church in the world to be given this title. Besides the radio apostolate and the apostolate carried out for the sick and imprisoned, the principal task for the Franciscans of the Immaculate in Naga is the formation of the numerous members of the MIM which encompasses both those of the first level as well as the tertiaries (TOFI). The MIM cenacle in Naga is very active in apostolates and fully involved in various initiatives in the community. The radio apostolate, notwithstanding several financial crises, is moving ahead with great success, and is recognized as one of the best local radio stations in the area.

The Marian House in Naga is for postulants; there are also newly-professed candidates to the priesthood who are completing their studies of philosophy in the diocesan seminary. Going up almost simultaneously with the construction at Naga, a new Marian House was built in Bukidnon, located on the large island of Mindanao. The new convent, that at first was designated as a Marian Retreat for friars called to a hermitic and contemplative life, is now being used as a Novitiate House for the delegation. In front of the convent is the Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, built by the friars and open to the faithful. New establishments have been made in Cagayan de Oro City, on the island of Mindanao, and in Manila near the sisters’ convent. Now, after these years that have been so prosperous for the founding and construction of houses, churches, and centers for apostolates, the current Delegate General, Padre Bernardino M. Pedroso, is devoting himself to the formation of the friars and the members of the MIM. The Franciscans of the Immaculate, with the sure help from the Great Weaver, that is, the Immaculate, are being propelled into the future entrusted with large projects such as the Sanctuary of the Co-Redemptrix in Cebu, work on strengthening the Caritas Mariae Radio, as well as opening other radio stations, a TV station, and a school of theology.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate

The birth of the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in the Philippines goes back to November of the year 1982 in the house of San Gandaan, near the parish of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Quiteria, which at that was time cared for by Padre Gabriele M. Pelletieri. At their request these Marian communities received, from the hands of Padre Stefano M. Manelli, a simple path of spiritual life to follow and observe. At the time they were called the Franciscan Marian Community (known by its initials: FMC) On October 16, 1985, five sisters began their novitiate year: Sister Maria Anna (Lagrimas Geronimo of Naga City), Sister Maria Agnes (Lydia Alfonso of Pampanga), Sister Maria Francisca (Zenaida Rivera of Quezon City), Sister Maria Gracia (Eden Sapico of Catanduanes) and Sister Maria Rosario (Merlinda Senarillos of Davao del Sur).

Currently there have been more than ten houses opened by the sisters. One, in Cavite City (August 14, 1994), is dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude. There the sisters teach catechism in the school adjacent to the parish, give spiritual assistance to the sick in the hospital, and are involved with the MIM. In another house in Naga City, this one dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, the sisters carry out their apostolate by working at the radio station and by aiding the friars in the formation of the young Third Order Franciscans and MIM groups.

In Cebu City, the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, there are two houses. One is in Martinez Compoun where the sisters run a bookstore, teach catechism to poor children, and distribute Communion to the sick. The other, in Pardo, is a formation house for aspirants. In Sacsac, Consolacion, Cebu, there is another house, opened on May 20, 2000, that has the Marian name Our Lady, Gate of Heaven. Besides being a formation house for postulants, the sisters work on the Marian Radio shows that air each week on a local radio station. The Motherhouse which, from August 26, 1989, has been serving as the novitiate is called Our Lady of the Seven Joys and is located in Maligaya (Novaliches). The sisters teach catechism in the parish, operate a religious bookstore, and also issue a magazine: In the Light of the Immaculate.

There have been new houses recently opened. One is in Alabang (Manila), with the title Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament. There the sisters care for a Perpetual Adoration chapel, teach catechism to the poor, and help with A Day with Mary along with their sisters of Maligaya. Another house opened in Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol, with the name Our Lady of the Angels. There the sisters are involved with the flourishing MIM and the increasing number of tertiaries. Still another house in Bukidnon has the title Our Lady Queen of Peace, where the sisters are involved with the MIM.

The last foundation is a precious jewel in the crown of houses born from the Heart of the Immaculate. It is the first contemplative house in Carmen located in the province of Cebu. Its very construction was nearly miraculous, with an outpouring of contributions received through national and local mass media, donations coming from the poor as well as from the wealthy and influential. All are aware of the great value of a contemplative house and the graces, today even more crucial than ever before, which it brings for the whole Institute, for the Philippines, for the universal Church, and for all of mankind.

Sister M. Gloria: a Little Vision of Heavenly Glory

I knew Sr. Maria Gloria Ladaran when I was assigned to guide the community at Castelpetroso. At that time, Sr. Maria Gloria was newly professed and had arrived from the Philippines along with some other co-sisters to do her year of juniorate here in Italy. She was a Sister just like the rest, rather, she was more hidden than the others, but she already stood out. I remember that M. Maria Gabriella Faustina, who was in charge of the juniors, pointed out to me that she was one of the more mature and diligent juniors in learning the Italian language.

During that year, she had to undergo a small operation to remove a cyst and already on this occasion she showed joy in offering this suffering to the Lord. She did not lament and, rather, showed regret in not being able to offer something more. The doctor whose care she was under and who performed the operation was vividly edified by her serenity and sweetness. It was as though the doctor felt attracted by this little Sister completely silent and smiling. When she was in the hospital, he often visited her in a fatherly manner. After some time, he even came to the convent to greet her and to be assured that she was well. I remember that also on this occasion M. M. Gabriella and I concluded that there was something special about Sr. Maria Gloria.

Sr. Maria Gloria also suffered from bronchial asthma that sometimes, due to the cold temperature at Castelpetroso, became acute, making her lose sleep and become weak. What is more, she suffered from attacks of vomiting which became increasingly alarming as she was vomiting almost everything she ate. On one occasion, during a colloquy with Sr. Maria Gloria, on trying to discover the origin of such sickness, she gave me her explanation. But it was an explanation completely different from what I expected. Her sickness had nothing to do with a physical or natural cause, but was completely supernatural. She told me that she felt the need to suffer something for the Lord, that she desired to suffer for her family. And here, Sr. Maria Gloria, with a moving tone of voice, and with a filial and trusting openness of soul which surprised me, recounted to me the grave, immoral situation in which some of her family members found themselves. She clearly told me that, since the beginning, her religious consecration had the goal of the eternal salvation of her family. I understood that Sr. Maria Gloria was totally dominated by this desire of offering herself and her sufferings. It was a need for her, the entire reason why she had entered.

I told her that for now, she had to begin with the small things done with great perfection and love, and that her offering should consist, above all, in the perfect observance of the Book of Sanctification because in this observance done with love and for love, there was already a great source of merits and graces. Then, if Our Lady wanted something more...with the Marian Vow anything was possible. Sr. Maria Gloria's obedience was perfect. Thus, that little Sister, completely silent and smiling, began to practice an observance of the Book of Sanctification which edified me and filled me with joy. She had always been observant, but now her commitment increased. Almost as if by magic, her vomiting ceased, while one noticed in her a greater diligence and responsibility in fulfilling her duties, and a greater interior participation in the community life. She established serene relations with all the sisters. At recreation, not withstanding her shy temperament, she strove to speak, to recount some edifying or humorous fact, to make the sisters laugh, so much so that if she was not present her absence was felt. I remember that the day we celebrated her name day it seemed to me like Christmas because we sang the refrain of the polyphonic song "Transeamus", which consists of a marvelous intertwine of "gloria in excelsis Deo." From that day on we often sang it to her, even if it was very far from Christmas time, making that prophetic name frequently resound...

I also remember an incident a bit singular that happened on her birthday. We made a special feast for her, but it was completely spontaneous without premeditation. In fact, we put a royal garland about her head, and we "adorned" her with unusual fervor. We sang the usual "gloria" and, what is more extraordinary, we made her stand next to the Nativity Set to take some pictures. On that day she seemed just like a little queen and the feast we held for her was so fervent and solemn that at the end, I hoped that the other Sisters were not offended at such a different treatment reserved for her, and which I had not organized and by which was myself surprised.

By the end of her stay at Castelpetroso, Sr. Maria Gloria had become for me, as Superior, a sure support, a responsible Sister in which I could depend upon and to whom I could entrust duties and various errands, without having to worry. The last time I saw Sr. Maria Gloria, upon greeting me farewell, with her voice broken by sobbing and a shudder of the body, said to me: "Mother, pray because the situation has gotten worse." There was such an expression of pain in her face that, though vividly desiring to console her, I was not able to find the right words to answer her. I was only able to say: "Do not worry...Let us pray!" When I learned that Sr. Maria Gloria was gravely ill, I had no doubts: the Lord had accepted her offering and now Sr. Maria Gloria could finally suffer as she had always desired. But suffering alone, even though terrible, was not enough. To restore life to those who no longer possessed it, death was necessary, as Jesus Himself says: "Unless the grain of wheat falling to the ground dies, it bears no fruit; if, however, it dies, it bears much fruit."

The little "grain of wheat" hidden in this poor earth, now shines brightly as a star in Heaven, and eternally enjoys that "Gloria" that we sang when she was among us. She is the first, most brilliant star of our Institute, true "Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate", who now from Heaven watches over us and prays for us all.

Thank you, Sr. Maria Gloria, for all that you taught us by your life and your death... Thank you, for having taught us humility, obedience, charity, love for sacrifice. Thank you, for having taught us that the Marian Vow is lived until total immolation. Thank you, for having been a perfect icon of Christ Crucified and of the Coredemptrix Mother. Thank you, for having passed on this earth as a small vision of heavenly glory.

Mother Maria Gabriella Ianelli, F.I.