A press release from the singing nuns

Last Wednesday, I was handed a “press release” in a brown folder along with one dozen native oranges from the hills of Nueva Vizcaya. The simplicity of the gesture and the humble offer would have been enough to get my attention, but the person who gave me the “press release” was an imposing Lady in White, our part time neighbor, and full time “Madre”: Sister Eden Orlino from the Sisters of St. Paul.

Through the years, I have collaborated with Sister Eden on some of her projects and that friendship has given me a better understanding of the life and minds of “Madres” or nuns. But when I read the “press release”, I realized that I knew very little about her world and some of it was even erroneous.

For instance, many of us have spent many years believing that SPC stands for St. Paul’s College, or maybe St. Paul’s Convent. That is what modern history has taught us, but the original SPC actually stands for St. Paul’s De Chartres.

Yes, the Sisters of St. Paul originated from France, the land of great wine and even greater female martyrs such as Joan of Arc. The Sisters of St. Paul started in 1694 in a little village called Levesville la Chenard in the region of Beauce, France where Fr. Louis Chauvet asked Mademoiselle Marie Ann de Tilly to teach two new recruits: Marie Micheau and Barbe Focault, two peasant girls, to read and write.

That setting became the beginning of the first community of Sisters in 1696 and it was there that the Sisters were referred to as “Daughters” of the school. In 1708, the Bishop of Chartres, Monsignor Paul Godet des Marais asked the Sisters to go to the town of Chartres where he gave them the name “Sisters of St. Paul” after his patron, Paul, apostle to the gentiles. He also gave them a piece of land in the suburbs of Saint Maurice.

From there, the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres launched their first foreign mission in Cayenne, Brazil in South America. This was no excursion as written by Sr. Flordezaand: “terrorists, criminals, boatloads of exiled priests from France, black slaves from Camp Dennis, 6000 convicts with hope dead or dying in their eyes were left to the Sisters who cared for them without exception”.

In 1861 SPC reached the Far East first setting up in Saigon, Japan in 1878, Tonkin, Vietnam in 1883, Korea in 1888, Thailand in 1898 and in 1904, Laos and the Philippines where they were requested by Bishop Frederick Rooker of the Diocese of Jaro, Iloilo to come to Dumaguete “For the protection of the Catholic faith. It is God who has chosen you for this work – make religion loved and practiced as it should be”.

It was in Dumaguete that seven Sisters opened the first “Paulinian School” in the Philippines. It was also there that Maria Echaves expressed her desire to join the Sisters. Five postulants eventually formed the first local “Sisters of St. Paul” and resided temporarily in San Juan, Manila. After that a novitiate was formally established in Malate, Manila in 1911 where the “first five” celebrated their first clothing ceremony.

In 1931, both the Provincialate and Novitiate of SPC were transferred to New Manila, in Quezon City. When the second World War came to the Philippines, the Sisters sought refuge in Notre Dame de Lourdes Hospital in Baguio in 1944. The hospital was eventually bombed forcing the sisters to divide into two groups and evacuate. They were reunited by 1945 up north in Vigan, Ilocos Sur where they stayed one year at the Rosary College before returning to Quezon City.

After many years of growth and tranquility, the Novitiate chose to move once again because the school they established in Quezon City had grown faster than expected. In 1963, the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres moved to the peaceful hills of Anitpolo City where it has become a sanctuary to many Sisters and a symbol of the spiritual ideals of the community of Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

While my favorite nuns may be Servants of God or be living contemplative lives, I have seen and heard enough to know that they live lives of sacrifice. They serve the truly poor, the helpless and the ignorant. They stand up for the rights of upland minorities against mining companies, corrupt politicians and even violent law enforcers.

In the face of calamity, drought and human helplessness, they do what they do best, they call on God through fervent prayers. Just knowing that I am in their prayers is a great privilege.

This week the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres celebrates 100 years of life in the Philippines. 100 years of teaching, serving and prayers for the Philippines and all Filipinos. Since SPC is also known for their artistry and gifting in music, Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres will have a special concert entitled “100 Years in 100 voices” a concert to celebrate the 100 years of SPC formation in the Philippines.

All friends, former students and the public are invited to this very, very, rare treat at their campus at Herran St. in Paco, Manila. SPC will hold three concerts: first will be on November 22 at 2 pm. The second performance will be on November. 23 at 6 pm and the last performance will be November 24 at 6 pm all at the Herran grounds.

To all the Sisters here and in heaven, thank you and God bless the work of your hands.

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