Jubilee of Grace: 25 Years of The Sisters of The LittleMission For The Deaf in The Archdiocese of Caceres

NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR — Twenty-five years of missionary presence, compassionate service, and commitment to the Deaf community were celebrated on August 29, 2026, as the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf (Suore della Piccola Missione per i Sordomuti) marked their Silver Jubilee in the Archdiocese of Caceres.

With the theme “Signs of Grace: Celebrating 25 Years of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf in the Archdiocese of Caceres,” the celebration became a thanksgiving for God’s providence manifested through religious vocation, education, pastoral accompaniment, and the generous collaboration of clergy, families, educators, benefactors, and the Deaf community.

The Philippine Mission is under the leadership of Sr. Clarisinda C. Cagang, SLMD, Mother Superior of the Philippine Mission, while the Naga Community is headed by Sr. Nora B. Patlonag, SLMD. Together with their fellow Sisters, they continue the congregation’s charism of making the love of Christ visible and accessible to persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing through education, faith formation, pastoral care, and inclusion.

The Jubilee holds special significance within the 2026 Our Lady of Peñafrancia celebration, whose theme, “Inâ: Nurturing A Growing Church,” is echoed in the inclusive call, “Gabos kaayon, Gabos may gibúhon” everyone is welcome, everyone has a role to play. The SLMD mission gives concrete expression to this vision by affirming that Deaf persons are not merely recipients of the Church’s mission but valued members of the Body of Christ with gifts, dignity, and a vital role in the life of the Church.

The mission traces its beginnings to Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., DD., who, during an encounter in Rome with Rev. Mother Vincenza Pistilli, SLMD, Superior General of the Sisters in Bologna, Italy, recognized the need for a dedicated apostolate for Deaf persons in the Archdiocese of Caceres. On April 28, 1990, Archbishop Legaspi formally invited the Sisters to establish their mission in Caceres. Eleven years later, in 2001, that invitation became a living reality.

The Sisters arrived carrying the charism of their founders, Venerable Monsignor Giuseppe Gualandi, Venerable Orsola Maria Mezzini, co-foundress, and Rev. Fr. Cesar Gualandi. Their presence eventually touched generations of Deaf children, families, educators, clergy, religious, and lay collaborators throughout Bicol.

The Silver Jubilee Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., Archbishop of Caceres, with priests of the Archdiocese concelebrating, served as the spiritual heart of the anniversary. A Jubilee Cross was presented to the Superior of the Naga Community as a symbol of remembrance, unity, renewed missionary commitment, and continued service.

Another significant milestone followed with the blessing of the Extension School Building of the Joseph Gualandi School for Hearing Impaired, Inc. in Balatas, Naga City. The school represents the continuing growth of the SLMD apostolate and the enduring partnership between religious, clergy, educators, families, and lay benefactors.

The Silver Jubilee celebration also became an occasion of gratitude to the individuals who helped establish and sustain the mission during its formative years.

Special recognition was given to Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P., DD., former Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Caceres, whose pastoral vision opened the door for the SLMD mission. The community likewise remembered Very Rev. Mother Vincenza Pistilli, SLMD, Superior General of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf, and Sr. Elena di Serafino, SLMD, the first SLMD Superior of the Naga Community.

Gratitude was also extended to Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., then a young Secretary to the Archbishop, whose connection with the mission reaches back to its formative years. The celebration likewise honored the priests who contributed to the development of the mission: Rev. Msgr. Zosimo Ma. Sañado, Rev. Fr. Domingo R. Florida, Rev. Fr. Rex Luis L. Hidalgo, Rev. Fr. Allan Roy E. Remo, Rev. Fr. Danilo V. Arnante, Rev. Fr. Joaquin C. Ibay, and Rev. Fr. Andrew G. Recepcion.

Among the lay collaborators whose contribution became particularly significant was Mrs. Pura Luisa Villafuerte-Magtuto, a benefactor and collaborator of the mission. In 2008, her commitment assumed concrete form through her important role in establishing the Gualandi Educational Support Service for the Deaf in Naga City, which would later grow into the Joseph Gualandi School for Hearing Impaired, Inc.

The early educators and collaborators were also remembered with deep appreciation, particularly Mrs. Sofia Ablay Omnes Peñas and Mrs. Marites Borromeo Betchayda, identified among the first educators, and Mr. Rudy V. Vivo, recognized as an early collaborator.

At the center of the celebration were the Deaf and hard-of- hearing community and their families. Their presence affirmed the very purpose of the mission: to build a Church where every person is welcomed, heard, valued, and empowered to participate.

As the Archdiocese of Caceres celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, alongside the 144th Feast of the Divino Rostro and the 316th Solemnity of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Silver Jubilee of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf stands as another beautiful sign of God’s grace.

What began with an encounter in Rome became a mission in Naga. What began as an invitation became a community. What began as a vision became a school. After 25 years, the mission continues to proclaim a simple yet profound truth: when the Church opens her heart to those who are often unheard or overlooked, she becomes more fully the Church Christ calls her to be.

Gabos kaayon. Gabos may gibúhon.

Lord Jesus, source of every grace and author of every good mission, we thank You for the twenty-five years of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf in the Archdiocese of Caceres. We praise You for the founders, religious sisters, bishops, priests, educators, benefactors, collaborators, families, and most especially the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community whose lives have become living signs of Your love. Through the intercession of the Divino Rostro, teach us to recognize Your face in every person, especially those who are often unheard or overlooked. Through the maternal care of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, our Ina, help us to become a welcoming, compassionate, and missionary Church, nurturing a growing Church where “Gabos kaayon, Gabos may gibúhon.” May the Cross of Christ remain our compass, and may the next years of the SLMD mission bring renewed faith, deeper communion, greater inclusion, and abundant service. May everything we do always lead others closer to You. Amen.

Cel No: 09182813370;

Email: slmdnaga2001@yahoo.com

Indeed, everyone is welcome, and everyone has a role to play.