August 16, 2007 | 12:00am
Twenty five years ago, the Congregation of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family – St. Clare Delegation came to our Philippine shores to devote themselves to a charismatic-redemptive mission: “to bring back the lost sheep to the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd.” This year, the Congregation celebrates their Silver Jubilee, marking 25 fruitful years of service guided by the Lord. The Capuchin Tertiary Sisters’ presence is felt through five communities in the Philippines, namely: Holy Family Home- Bacolod Foundation, Inc.; a Novitiate House in Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Holy Family Home- Makati Foundation, Inc., St. Francis Friendship Home in Zamboanga Sibugay; and Luis Amigo Ladies Dormitory & Formation House in Cebu City (across the University of San Carlos-Main Campus).
Last August 12, Sunday, the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters celebrated their 25 years through a Thanksgiving Mass in the chapel of the Luis Amigo Ladies Dormitory, celebrated by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, DD. Also present were Sr. Maria Elena Echavarren, TC, General Delegate to the Philippines, Bishop Julito Cortes, Fr. Mhark Balili, Fr. Ernesto Javier, SJ, Fr. Erick, SJ, Fr. Jesus Rodriguez, Bro. S. John, Fr. Mark Mathias, SVD, and Bro. Pablo Muñoz. Guest Congregations also attended, namely: Daughters of Mary Escolapias, Augustinian Recollects, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, and the Holy Spirit Sisters. The Congregation’s benefactors in Cebu who attended were Engr. Michael Manlangit, Jovy and Marian Batiquin, Carmen and Berbeng Villagonzalo, Cristina Moraza with her children Jaime and Monica, Archt. Jose Maria and Marilou Cañizares, Engr. Joy Ylanan, Archt. Danny Tan, Mayen Angbetic Tan, Agustin and Debbie Palao, Gigi and Dean of Fine Impressions, Inc. Most of the dormers also attended the thanksgiving Mass.
The Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family is a Franciscan Congregation founded in Spain in 1885 by Fr. Luis Amigo, a Capuchin friar and Bishop. Since the founding, the Congregation has poured its love in over 30 countries, including ours. Touching Filipino hearts since March 1982 and in resonance with the motto of their Founder “I lay down my life for my sheep,” the Sisters have pursued their mission, helping others in the fields of education, rehabilitation, health and pastoral work, especially to the children and those in need. As one of the Franciscan Congregations in the world, they follow Jesus Christ in the example of the simple servant of God, St. Francis of Assisi.
In their Bacolod Foundation, they built refuge for more than 50 sexually abused girls, ranging from 7 to 23 years old. In the Makati institution, abandoned and neglected street children are sheltered until they finish a college education. In the Zamboanga Sibugay home, more than 60 high school girls and some college students coming from poor families from remote areas are given free shelter, education and, of course, loving, Christ-led guidance and care. In the Luis Amigo Ladies Dormitory along Pelaez Street, Cebu City, the dormers have a safe, warm place they can call “home” amidst the busy student’s life in the city. What makes the Dormitory special is the family atmosphere the Sisters provide, where the dormers can approach them like mothers. And it’s evident in the dormers’ faces – they look genuinely happy in their home away from home.
On a more personal note, the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters are friendly and easy to talk to. You feel like pouring your heart out to them immediately or reaching for them when you need a hug. Perhaps it’s the loving, calming aura they carry – like that of true servants of Christ. Truly, God has gifted them with abilities equal to their tasks. Twenty-five years and counting, the Sisters continue fulfilling their purpose in the Philippines, guiding sheep towards the Shepherd and touching the neediest of Filipino hearts.
