“Two hundred years is not short,” reminded Fr. Hartono Budi, SJ, as he presided over the Mass in Quezon City for the Bicentenary Jubilee of foundation of the contemplative sisters — words that captured both the weight of history and the depth of gratitude carried into this sacred celebration. It has been 200 years since St Mary Euphrasia founded the contemplative community within the apostolic congregation of Our Lady of Charity in November 11, 1825 in Tours, France. In the Philippines, the contemplative sisters had been present since 1961.
Despite initial hesitations about celebrating festively amid recent calamities, the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd in the Philippines, together with the apostolic sisters and partners in mission chose to commemorate the milestone with meaning, humility, and solidarity. The celebrations unfolded across three contemplative convents — in Cebu, in Butuan and in Virac and also at the Provincialate compound in Quezon City and other convents in the country.
Faith That Pushes Through Storms
In Cebu, electricity was finally restored the night before the celebration. The sisters had to go out of their way to complete all the preparations. At the start of the celebration, moment of silence was observed to remember all those who were affected by the recent earthquake in Northern Cebu, typhoon Tino and super typhoon Uwan.
Sr. Susan Montano, Province Leader, extended heartfelt gratitude to contemplative communities around the world and to the sisters in Cebu, Virac, and Butuan, honoring their “lives of prayer and redemptive love that have quietly blessed the Church and the world for two centuries.” Bishop Emeritus Jose Palma DD presided over the celebration.
In Butuan, Bishop Cosme Damian Almedilla highlighted what the celebration is about: “grateful remembering of the first contemplative sisters who joined the community, the countless lives transformed and the enduring love of the shepherd who has guided the contemplative sisters from its humble beginning to its silent yet continuing mission.” Friends and sisters from other communities also joined the community in the celebration.
A Celebration in the Dark — Yet Full of Light
In Virac, where power was still unavailable and flights were grounded, one sister was unable to return home. Still, encouraged by partners in mission and powered by generators, the Mass went on. Food was shared among attendees and extended to nearby families affected by the storm, embodying the contemplatives’ quiet, compassionate witness. The apostolic sisters from Legaspi convent and sisters from other congregations were present. Bishop Louie Occiano presided and was joined by other priest friends.
Simple Joy, Shared Mission
Meanwhile in Quezon City, the unexpected presence of Sr. Imelda Santos, unable to fly back to Virac, made the celebration more personal and meaningful. After Mass, the sisters and some partners in mission visited the former house of the first contemplative community, built in 1961 and now occupied by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The sculpted image of Mary Magdalene, still intact on the parlor wall, became a symbol of rooted identity.
A brief prayer service honored Mary Magdalene, followed by a sharing from Sr. Imelda, who described the visit as “a homecoming” for her recalling the very day she joined as an aspirant in that house. The prayer ended with the singing of “In My Heart”, the song of Mary Magdalene on Easter morn.
In the afternoon, sisters and partners in mission gathered for a simple snack made special by 3 prayer-dances rendered by the program participants of the Heart of Mary Villa. Some of the mission partners also gave their messages. Sr Patricia, an apostolic sister from Euphrasian Convent shared on her message that the she felt the call of this jubilee to all sisters is for “a contemplative friendship and listening among ourselves.”
A Light That Does Not Go Out
As many communities continue to rebuild after disaster, the sisters’ prayer and presence remain a quiet anchor. From Cebu, Sr. Ronafel de Leon offered this message of hope: “May we continue to be a light in times of darkness for our suffering people through our quiet presence and prayer.”
And with that, the jubilee turns toward the future — a future the sisters hope will welcome new vocations, new hearts longing to serve through hiddenness, compassion, and redemptive love.
