MISSIONARY SISTERS OF MARY,INC
(MSM-USA)
23600 Soboba Road
San Jacinto, California, 92583
Cp..# 951-422-0340 / 323-875-7993
Email : madz_1967@yahoo.com/ gensar5047@gmail.com
Mailing Address: P. O. Box # 669, Perris, CA 92571
Humble Beginnings:
The Socio-Economic and Spiritual Situation of the Diocese of Surigao
At the wake of global turbulence for changes in the socio-economic and spiritual life of the church prior to Vatican II, there arose the impending need and hankering for a more meaningful Christian life specially among the Catholic Christians in the periphery of the ecclesial communities. Christianity in the Philippines, and for this account, in the Diocese of Surigao became nominal. Children were baptized to get the Christian name without proper catechesis. These children grew up and have children of their own who were baptized without the rudiments of the faith. The sacramental and liturgical life of the nominal Christians were not nurtured as it should be except for the few who were able to study in Catholic schools. The widening gap between the “haves” and the have nots” was evident in the social milieu and even in services rendered by the local church.
These upheavals were badly felt in the Diocese of Surigao which comprised the four provinces. Only 60 priests served the vast Diocese, 33 for Surigao del Norte and Sur and 27 for Agusan del Norte and Sur. Most of them were religious foreign Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. There were only two communities of the Sisters of St. Paul the Chartres in Surigao City and Tago, Surigao del Sur both in schoo, apostolate. The second Bishop of Surigao, the Most Rev. Charles van den Ouwelant, MSC, saw the unintended marginalization in the Church of the depressed and economically poor. The diocese needed Religious Sisters for this work.
The First Streaks of Dawn
Meanwhile, in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Herman van der Sman, MSC, a Catechetics expert from Holland, motivated the young ladies to be involved in the catechetical work of the parish. He had in mind the idea of forming catechists in the barrios. Among his first contacts were Zenaida Famador and Ana Dultra both were teachers in Candelaria Institute of Cabadbaran, Paz Geotina from Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, Priscilla Cagang a “star” catechist from Los Angeles, Butuan City ang Angelita Bacleon also a catechist from Cabadbaran. All were members of Legion of Mary. He also brought into the group a Surigaonon contact of Bishop Ouwelant, Cipriana Acosta a teacher whom he asked to teach at the Summer Catechetical Institute that he organized. This common activity with Fr. Van der Sman reinforced the desire of these
Most Rev. Charles van den
Ouwelant, MSC
MSM Founder
Rev. Fr. Herman van der Sman, MSC
MSM Co-Founder
young ladies to become religious Sisters. Such also became the seed of a religious congregation soon to grow.
Early Preparations, Negotiations and Decree of Erection
For about three years after his ordination as bishop of Surigao. Bishop Ouwelant tried to request Sisters from established religious congregations of women to help the poor people, e.g. the spiritually poor and the materially underprivileged in the outlaying districts of his diocese. He decided to found a religious institute of his own to be formed and trained by nuns from an established congregation. Such idea was inspired by the same method when his own blood-sister, a nun had been borrowed by a bishop for his own native congregation.
MSM Pillar
For about three years after his ordination as bishop of Surigao. Bishop Ouwelant tried to request Sisters from established religious congregations of women to help the poor people, e.g. the spiritually poor and the materially underprivileged in the outlaying districts of his diocese. He decided to found a religious institute of his own to be formed and trained by nuns from an established congregation. Such idea was inspired by the same method when his own blood-sister, a nun had been borrowed by a bishop for his own native congregation.
In January 1957, during a conference in Baguio City, Bishop Charles had a talk with the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Msgr. Egidio Vagnozzi about this plan. He was advised by the Nuncio to write to the Sacred Heart Congregation for Religious, his Eminence Valerio Cardinal Valeci giving the details of the Institute as envisioned. Accepting the suggestions, the Bishop in return asked the Nuncio to be authorized to issue the formal decree giving Canonical Status to the new congregation, the Missionary Sisters of Mary.
The Decree of Erection was formally issued on February 11, 1958 in conformity with the Canon Law and the concurring opinion of the Diocesan Consultors. Also issued on the same day was the Canonical Erection of the Formation House of the new Institute with the permission to have semi-public chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is enshrined and Holy Communion distributed.
The aim of the Institute as stated in the Decree of Erection is to promote the Glory of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the “sanctification of its members, in order that they may devote themselves to education, religious instruction, and to any work entrusted by the Bishop...” The situation of Mindanao has shaped and will continue to shape the expressions of the aims for which the Institute is founded.
Early Membership and Gradual Expansion
On February 11, 1958, with the decree of erection given, the first Novitiate House, named “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Novitiate” was established in Cabadbaran. The foundation date was a diocesan event for on that day the national image of Our Lady of Lourdes which was visiting the various dioceses in the Philippines was in Cabadbaran. It was the Centenary Celebration of the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
On that day, four of the ladies, whom Fr. Sman had constant contact were accepted as postulants. The Formators were Sister Alice Roosen, ICM (Immaculatan Cor Meriam), a Belgian by nationality and Sister Mercedes Sandiego, ICM from Cebu City.
The spiritual direction of the first formandees was entrusted to Fr. Herman. He is also considered Founder of the Institute. He took the pains in nurturing and nourishing the vocation of the four prior to their formal acceptance.
Six months after, on August 14, 1958 the postulants received the Habit, the religious attire. They got new names as Consecrated Religious: Sr. Mary Antonina for Priscilla Cagang, Sr. Mary Fidelis for Zenaida famador, Sr. Mary Amelia for Paz Geotina and Sr. Mary Cecilia for Ana Dultra. On April 29, another four were accepted as postulants: Petronila Monton, Angelita Bacleon, Rosalina Awado ang Cipriana Acosta. These two groups of formandees were college graduates of the teaching course and were actually working as teachers and also as catechists in their respective parishes. On October 29, 1959 the second group received the habit and named: Sr. Mary Asuncion, Sr. Mary Elizabeth, Sr. Mary Rosalina and Sr. Marie Emeliene (only three of this group made it to the first vows, and only two are actually working as MSM Sisters until now while the first four, are still intact)
On August 15, 1960 the first profession of temporary vows took place in a ceremony witnessed by the whole parish of Cabadbaran. Sr. Leonora Goetnich, ICM, was sent to take care of the Juniorate formation program of the first group. She was replaced after three years by a Filipina, Sr. Gloria Geaga, ICM. She also acted as superior for the first house of professed Sisters in Butuan city. The second group of three Sisters made their first vows on November 1, 1961, making Sacred Heart Convent in Butuan City of seven MSM Sisters.