In April 2025, the Novitiate house of the Province was transferred from Quezon City to Tagaytay City. There the five Filipina and six Vietnamese novices, together with their formators, Sr. Lea Comia and Sr. Jacinta Duong journey together in intercultural novitiate formation surrounded by the serene atmosphere of the former convent of the Contemplatives.
Their absence was keenly felt by the sisters at the 1043 compound in Quezon City, especially during Masses and special celebrations. Before the year ended, however, two joyful gatherings provided opportunities for fellowship and reunion with the novices, who warmly expressed their own joy at reconnecting.
In November, the sisters of the Provincialate Convent came for a visit. The gathering began with a Eucharistic celebration, followed by a fun and engaging get-to-know-you activity. Creative questions revealed each one’s shallow and deep ends: “If an alien came to earth, what would you want to tell or show them?” and “If you were given a chance to give a speech, what topic would you choose?” The activity was filled with hearty laughter and meaningful discoveries.
A Visio Divina activity then provided a sacred space for sharing and attentive listening, as each one reflected on her present experience of the Divine. The images chosen spoke of joys, struggles, hopes, and dreams—revealing that each one’s experience of God is as unique, colorful, and diverse as the photos themselves.
In the afternoon, a Bingo game became a creative and joyful way of Christmas gift-giving. Often, the excitement of the game far surpassed the simplicity of the gifts received. Meals shared featured both Vietnamese and Filipino cuisine: Vietnamese spring rolls and noodles for breakfast and seafood boodle fight for lunch.
In December, another moment of communion and celebration followed, as family members and friends gathered with the novices for Christmas celebration. One of the highlights of the event was the novices’ presentation of the Nativity Story.
These joyful moments of fellowship are cherished, especially as January of next year marks the beginning of a new chapter in the novices’ journey. For their apostolic year, they will be send to local communities for their mission experience. Sr. Mary Simon Huyen will be assigned to Batangas; Sr. Mary Gloria Hoai to Naga; Sr. Mary Lucia Oanh to Cebu; and Sr. Mary Lorejane Largado to Baguio. Meanwhile, Sr. Mary Martina Phuong, Sr. Mary Helena Phuong, and Sr. Mary James Binarao will go to Thailand, while Sr. Mary Bakhita Thanh and Sr. Maria Amabell Bonete will be assigned to Vietnam.
The two first-year novices, Sr. Mary Reah Uy and Sr. Marisse Lorono are continuing their canonical year, attending congregational classes with our sisters and other modular classes with fellow novices from other congregations.
The two years of novitiate are precious and formative in the life of a religious, offering a sacred time to “deepen her love for Jesus and her understanding of His love for her.” Indeed, these two gatherings—filled with joy, prayer, and shared life—stand as beautiful memories of God’s incarnated love experienced in community.
