'You continue to inspire the Church,' Bishop tells DMsisters as Congregation celebrates 60th anniversary

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

At the novena mass held in honor of Mary, Mother of the Church last May 20, mass presider and homilist, Bishop Luisito Occiano of Virac, highlighted the significant contributions of the Daughters of Mary (DM) sisters not only to the Philippine local Church, especially in the Bicol region where they take root, but also to the many Dioceses abroad where the sisters have been present as missionaries.

Reflecting on the Wedding at Cana, Occiano highlighted three attributes of Mary that the sisters have emulated and must continue to do so as they carry on with their mission.

“Like Mary, the sisters are attentive to the needs of the people whom they serve,” he said. This makes their presence fundamental in building communities.

“The scarcity of the wine of hope, wine of faith and wine of charity have led to the establishment of your Congregation and since, the gaps were filled with your presence.”

The Bishop also emphasized the call towards a synodal church, urging the sisters to develop a culture of deep listening instead of rigid administration.

In addition, Occiano called the sisters to identify their modern-day Cana moments. “These are times when vocation seems few, resources are strained.”

During these times, he told the sisters to be like Mary: “To trust in Jesus’ time. Miracles have happened and will continue to happen because of our faith," he said.

In closing, the Bishop encouraged the sisters to always fill the jars to the brim. He advocated against being half-hearted and mediocre in doing their mission, and told them to always give their best.

“Fill the jars to the very brim and allow Jesus to facilitate the miracle of transformation.”

Occiano, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Committee for Synodal Transformation, is one of the Bicol Bishops who celebrated the novena masses in honor of Mary, Mother of the Church at the Mater Ecclesiae Formation Center in Cadlan, Pili.

The Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church Institute was founded in 1966 by Archbishop Teopisto Alberto, second Archbishop of Caceres, and Mother Mary Therese Vicente. The DM sisters are widely known for their work in catechism, primary schools and administration.

Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD of Caceres presided over the mass on the occasion of the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, May 25, at the Mater Ecclesiae Formation Center in Cadlan, Pili. In his homily, Tirona urged the Daughters of Mary sisters to always listen to the Holy Spirit, through whom one is constantly renewed and transformed after the heart of Jesus. During the mass, attendees also witnessed the renewal of vows of Sr. Ofel Bocabil Borlagdan, DM and the first religious profession of Sr. Margie Patricio Isaac, DM. (Photos by Natalie Quimlat)