99th Foundation of the PDDM

The celebration of the 99th Foundation Anniversary of the Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM) last February 10, 2023 was laden with blessings.

The the sisters in the Philippine-Taiwan-Hong Kong Province were filled with thanksgiving for the flourishing of PDDM vocations in different stages.

Two young ladies--Fan Xiaoyan from Mainland China and Delfa Erames from La Libertad, Negros Oriental, have officially joined the congregation through an entrance rite integrated in the morning prayer.

The Eucharistic celebration has gathered the sisters from some PDDM communities at 10:00 in the morning at the Divine Master Convent chapel in Antipolo City.

Presided by Rev. Fr. Anthony Bautista, the Mass was highlighted by the renewal of Vows of the four temporary professed and the two 40th Jubilarians.

Sr. M. Dianne Therese Galapate and Sr. M. Liying Bian renewed their Vows for the first time while Sr. M. Carolette Maestrado and Sr. M. Liyan Xu made their second renewal. These sisters expressed their gratitude to God and to the sisters through their multilingual song "As a Deer". They said they recognize that God alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts.

Sr. M. Victoria Victorino and Sr. M. Martha Bruan celebrated the 40th Anniversary of their religious profession. Asked by Fr. Bautista about their "secret" of staying happy until this time of their journey, Sr. M. Martha affirmed the importance of "staying in love" with Jesus Master. Sr. M. Victoria's secret, she said, is "remaining with the Lord" who alone enabled her to remain faithful.

With awe at the witness of joy he has seen in the sister-renewalist and 40th jubilarians, Fr. Bautista gave a profound homily. He reminded the sisters that religious life is about responsibility and self-giving, not a privilege or entitlement. He said that as consecrated persons who professed the Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, our main preoccupation must be of "giving" and not "receiving".

On the same day, our PDDM community in Hong Kong together with the lay faithful and some Paulines, also celebrated the occasion of our foundation anniversary within the Mass at St. Jude Parish.

Indeed, God is never outdone in His faithfulness, goodness and love. The gifts of our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, Blessed Timothy Giaccardo, Venerable Mother Scolastica Rivata and our sisters of the first hour, have paved the way for us to be who we are and where we are today as a congregation. To Him be glory and honor.

The PDDM sisters continue their journey toward the centenary of their foundation. May God bless all the initiatives during this Jubilee Year in preparation for that great event on February 10, 2024.