Significant Moment: Five Years Of Perpetual Profession

Srs. M. Beatrice Israel, Noelle Ledesma, Regina Lito and Ruth Nardo were together in celebrating the 5^th year of their Perpetual Profession as Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. It was held at the Alberione Oasis from the evening of June 1 to June 6, 2010. For the celebration of this significant stage in their consecrated life, they decided to spend this moment in deepening the meaning of the evangelical vows.

Fr. Eugene Canete, MJ, the novice master of the Missionaries of Jesus, facilitated the process. He did not only explain the meaning and the relevance of the religious vows in the world today but presented them in a way that one would really be led to confront its radical implication. He presented the highlights of every vow and explained then in the perspective of different authors. As he synthesized their intriguing thoughts about the vows, he situates them in our present context and gave time to each one if they make sense in our life as vowed people. Aside from the talks on vows, much time was also dedicated for individual conference and further deepening.

One afternoon was spent with Sr. M. Leticia Bantolinao, PDDM Provincial Superior where she explained this significant moment of the five years of Perpetual Profession. She noted that this stage “marks the passage from guided experience of the initial formation to a life in which the religious must discover a new vital synthesis in order to be faithful to God”.

Another afternoon was spent for a visit to the PDDM Infirmary in the Divine Master Convent and to the Home of Love managed by the Missionaries of Charity where they take care of abandoned and malnourished children. Such visits were materials for reflections and further deepening in the understanding of the vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.