Last February 2, 2025, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a gathering of consecrated persons was held at Siena College, Quezon City, with the theme, “Consecrated Persons as Pilgrims of Hope.” Over 1,000 registered participants, not counting those who joined via online livestreaming, gathered physically to listen to the sharing of consecrated persons on their experiences of foreign mission, ministry, leadership and vocation. Both the crowd of participants, as well as the pool of speakers, included some of the youngest religious in initial formation and some of the most seasoned jubilarians in religious life. Having heard the experiences of various consecrated people, one sister in initial formation shared, “I feel motivated to be a missionary after I heard the life experience of Sr. Maria Paule, AMP. Her life’s journey is a witness of God’s love and mercy for the poor, prisoners and indigenous people.”
Opportunities for sharing of personal reflections and experiences were provided in the afternoon. Participants were encouraged to mingle with co-participants from other groups and congregations to share the different ways they feel invited to be a pilgrim of hope in their respective ministries and vocations. As one participant shared, “to be a consecrated person entails a becoming, with the integration of one’s entire being, not entering a different world. A consecrated person lives in God’s purpose and radiates goodness to influence others.”
The event ended with sharing of talents through creative presentations from different groups and congregations. Song and dance numbers were presented, including those using various traditional musical instruments. As with the different moments in the journey in religious life, the event explored the gifts and challenges surrounding consecrated life and mission and ended with the celebration of consecrated life itself with all its joys and sorrows. As one shared in her takeaway, “the mission entrusted to us can sometimes create doubt, confusion and even broken relationships, but as we go along the journey, we know that God will give us strength to continue and burning hope that can share its spark to others.”
The Conference of Major Superiors of the Philippines (CMSP), who organized the gathering, also issued a statement to mark this significant day: “Consecrated Persons as Pilgrims of Hope: Witnessing the Light of Christ in Challenging Times.” The statement highlighted the invitation to consecrated persons to embrace the synodal journey, and continue to listen with compassion, build inclusive communities, and discern together, guided by the Holy Spirit, and respond current societal challenges. It emphasized the need for moral leadership and action in response to poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, human rights violations, and the empowerment of youth. It also called for government accountability and collective action to address these systemic problems. Despite these challenges, consecrated persons are urged to remain hopeful, drawing strength from God’s love.
It was truly a day of joy and renewal, inspiring everyone in their vocation and formation journey, especially the sisters in initial formation, including our prenovices and novices, who were in attendance alongside their formators.
by: Lea Ongsamson, Pre-Novice
photo: Sr Maureen Catabian
