GENERAL CHAPTER OF MOTHER IGNACIA FOUNDATION DRAWS TO A CLOSE

The 18 th Ordinary General Chapter of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), founded by Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo in 1684, was concluded officially on 03 May 2006. As one of the significant events of the RVM Congregation, the participants of the activity composed of delegates elected by the general membership and ex-officio members. On their shoulders was the tremendous responsibility of discussing, deliberating and discerning on the operations of the Congregation from 2001 to 2006.

Like any other assembly the fifty-four delegates worked as a body with the same goals to achieve. So important was this undertaking that they need the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in a special way. An 8-day retreat ushered them into the General Chapter proper. As they started their work on 10 April 2006, their initial exercise was the election of the Superior General and the members of her Council. Results of the election are as follows: Rev. M. Ma. Evelyn C. Aguilar, RVM—Superior General; Sr. Ma. Eulalia G. Banawis, RVM—Vicar General/First Consultor; Sr. Ma. Rita C. Ferraris, RVM—Second Consultor; Sr. Ma. Anicia B.Co, RVM—Third Consultor; and Sr. Ma. Elisa A. Lavarias, RVM—Fourth Consultor.

 Using the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Approach made it a pleasant management of the different sessions devoid of heated argumentation or defensiveness. Coming to the fore during the discussions were the positive performance of the general membership and the life forces existing in the Congregation geared towards building up on them for the growth of the Congregation.

The different committees delivered their presentations with an ease that elicited substantial responses from the Chapter members. What surfaced in their deliberations was the realization that each ministry of the Congregation has its connection with the multi-faceted charism of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo. According to the experience of the Chapter members, they felt that the Holy Spirit was working in them as they proceeded with their day-to-day activity as scheduled.

Finally the conclusion of the General Chapter came leaving to the Chapter members another responsibility to tackle. Their decisions that find their way in the Chapter Documents have to be disseminated to the general membership. Such activity requires an extraordinary ability to explain the Chapter enactments. Our prayers, therefore, will help to propel them in accomplishing their task with the generous cooperation of the general membership.

May the fruits derived from the 18 th Ordinary General Chapter bring about the Congregation’s growth and renewal so that what was started by Mother Ignacia may continue to live on in every RVM Sister for the greater glory and service of God and the good of the Church and the people. Praise God !

MOTHER IGNACIA-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS MOVE TOWARDS FEDERATION

Seeing the need for a more functional instrument in the promotion of the Cause of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, Sr. Ma. Consuelo B. Alvino, RVM spearheaded the mobilization of the existing associations within the RVM Generalate Area. They bonded themselves into a bigger group to bring about a closer relationship among themselves in a concerted effort to achieve the goal envisioned by the participating members.

The newly-formed group is identified as the National Federation of the Friends of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo (NFFMIDES) composed of the following associations:

1. The Mother Ignacia Club in St. Mary’s College that started in 1971;
2. Kapatiran ni Madre Ignacia in Marikina, Metro Manila that was organized by Sr Ma. Imelda Sayson, RVM in 1981;
3. The Confraternity of Our Lady of the Beaterio which had the late Rev. M.Ma.Josefina C. Yamzon, RVM at its inception in 1985 and had Sr. Ma. Consuelo B.Alvino, RVM and Sr. Ma. Pureza Jimenez, RVM for Directresses;
4. Mother Ignacia Lay Community, which was established by the parents and Family
Council of St. Mary’s College, Quezon City;
5. Mother Ignacia Movement Units established in Binondo, Manila on August 22, 1993 by Sr. Ma. Isabelia O Riego de Dios, RVM; in Dasmarinas, Cavite which was started by the RVM Sisters involved in pastoral and catechetical work for the urban poor; and in Espana, Manila which was also organized by Sr. Ma. Isabelita, RVM on March 4, 1991 at the Immaculate Conception Ladies’ Hall;
6. The Friends of Mother Ignacia at Our Lady of Peace Shrine in EDSA, initiated by Sr. Ma. Niza Tan, RVM on October 1, 1993 and composed of benefactors, parents, administrators, faculty and school alumni;
7. Other clusters existing in the Mother Ignacia Healing Center at Bagumbong, Novaliches; and the Mother Ignacia Youth Club in Marikina, Metro Manila moderated by Mr.Andrew Concepcion.

The Federation spells out its goal for the promotion of the devotion to Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo and the spread of the knowledge about her life, works and cause for beatification and eventual canonization, for the service of the Church and God’s People for God’s greater honor and glory.

To achieve its goal, the Federation has the following strategies: prayer, research, abnegation, information and dissemination, service and example or the acronym PRAISE.

The interim EXECUTIVE BOARD consists of Roland Robles—Chairperson, Ma. Antonia C. Corpuz—Vice Chairperson, Herminia B. Marking—Secretary, Purita Arceo—Coordinating Secretary, Lebrecita L. Lejos—Treasurer, Bernie Lopez—PRO, Ma. Antonia Corpuz—Asst. PRO.

More about the Federation will be treated in the subsequent issue of ULIRAN.#

NY MIM UNIT CELEBRATES MOTHER IGNACIA’S BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARY

The Mother Ignacia Movement unit in New York City, USA had its share of the celebration of the 343 rd baptismal anniversary of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo. It was held at the San Lorenzo Pastoral Center.

Sister Ma. Rita C. Ferraris, RVM addressed the group on 04 March 2006. She spoke on the historical aspect of Mother Ignacia’s life and her concomitant spirituality. More enlightened was the response of the group eliciting interest and enthusiasm from them to enhance the reality of their commitment to the Movement and its goal.

Reverend Fr. Ed Salmon, SJ, had his turn as speaker on the second day, 05 March 2006. With his characteristic eloquence, he directed the group’s day of reflection focusing on the life of Mother Ignacia and a forward look on the present-day beatas.

The two-day celebration was a success considering the organizational expertise of Sr. Ma. Mansueta Dolalas, RVM, the ever accommodating stance of Rev. Fr. Erno Diaz, Director of the Filipino Apostolate in the Archdiocese of New York., the captivating power of the speakers to hold their audience’s attention and the generous and encouraging response of the group. May the Lord be praised and may He give us the joy of seeing the Servant of God, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo raised to the altar for our veneration as we await her beatification. #