Filipino – Pintakasi

A Young Master of Joy – The Life and Journey of Servant of God Darwin Ramos

With the recent news of a new Servant of God was added to the roster of soon to be Filipino Saints, many asked who was this teenage Filipino that will soon join the ranks of our own Holy Men to be exalted in our altars.

It is the proper time to get to know more who is Servant of God Darwin Ramos, who lived a impoverished life, then found hope and suffered a grave illness yet he still kept his faith alive and inspired many which can be compared to the likes of St. Anna Schaffer and Blessed Alessandrina de Costa.

The Family life of Darwin

Darwin Ramos was born on December 17, 1994 in Doña Marta Maternity Hospital, in Pasay City. Darwin spent his early years with his family on P. Villanueva St., Pasay City. Their house was in a slum between EDSA and Libertad stations (elevated rail transport). Darwin was the second child of a very poor family. His mother worked as a laundrywoman to earn some money to feed the whole family. His father was an alcoholic. In order to help his family, Darwin became a scavenger (waste picker) in the street, with his sister Marimar who was two years younger. They spent their day going through garbage to recover plastic waste which they sold. Unfortunately, they did not go to school because the search for food was more important.

The beginning of his Cross

The initial symptoms of what will later be diagnosed as Duchenne muscular dystrophy appeared. This began as weakness of the legs. Then, his mother noticed that Darwin was stumbling increasingly. Progressively, Darwin could no longer stand and his muscles weakened.

Poverty pushed the family to live on the street. His father took advantage of Darwin’s illness and he would position Darwin every morning at the Libertad station to beg from passers-by who took pity on the boy. In spite of the terrible shame felt by Darwin, hundreds of pesos fell into his hands which he held out painfully. His father was taking a large portion of the money to buy alcohol. Darwin did not say anything as long as a sufficient portion was used to feed his brothers and sisters.

A ray of hope

Servant of God Darwin Ramos at the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation

In 2006, a group of street educators of the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, which was already regularly meeting with Darwin for a few days at the Libertad station, were able to fetch him. Darwin saw that the Foundation could help him and he agreed to be fetched. Darwin could no longer stand up but he could use his hands and remain seated without assistance

At the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, Darwin lived with children with special needs caused by different disabilities. He discovered the Catholic faith. He was baptized on December 23, 2006 at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine). One year after, he received First Communion and Confirmation from the hands of the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, His Excellency Broderick Pabillo., D.D., at the chapel of the Major Seminary of San Carlos, Guadalupe.

A Mission of Suffering

Darwin suffered more respiratory distress that require several hospitalizations. Despite of his painful condition, he uplifted the staff and the children at the Foundation by the way he lived with his illness. He was constantly repeating “Thank you” and “I love you.” He never complained and always smiled even during difficult times. He was attentive to all and showed support to the other children at the Foundation in their trials. He had the habit of offering his sufferings. When he was speaking of his illness, he did not talk about his myopathy but of what he was calling it his “mission.” Darwin developed a deep love for Christ that there isn’t a day passed that the young boy did not take time out to entrust himself to Jesus. A caregiver from the Foundation testified: “One day, when Darwin was feverish, he insisted to be helped in getting out of bed to join the others in the center so that he could lead the evening prayer. It was Jesus before anything else.”

Darwin’s Holy Week

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, the nurse of the Foundation decided to bring Darwin to PCMC (Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon City) because he had difficulty in breathing. When the priest in charge of the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation arrived at his bedside, the first thing that Darwin did was to excuse himself for causing him worries. Darwin added as he breathed laboriously: “Thank you for everything Father.” Then began what some would call “Darwin’s Holy Week”:

On Monday, Darwin was intubated. He was not able to talk anymore. It was only possible to lip-read him, but he was able to write in a notebook.

Darwin then received the anointing of the sick. On Friday, he looked peaceful and had a big smile. He wrote his 2 last sentences in a notebook: “A huge thank you” and “I am very happy.” as a sign of a battle won. Darwin, intimately united with the Lord in his suffering, was already sharing the joy. On Saturday, Darwin entered into a great silence while remaining conscious. Darwin died on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at sunrise, at Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon City. The funeral mass was celebrated in a full church, attended by all the children of the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation. Darwin is buried in the Pasay City Cemetery.

The burial of Servant of God Darwin Ramos

The Cause of beatification and canonization

In the Philippines, the memory of Darwin’s life remains in the minds of many. People continue to gather at his tomb in Pasay City Cemetery. In France, Father Matthieu Dauchez wrote a book in 2015 entitled “Plus fort que les ténèbres” [Stronger than Darkness]. In 2016, Daniel-Ange de Maupeou d’Ableiges wrote another book entitled “Prophètes de la Beauté” [Prophets of Beauty] which first pages are dedicated to the life of Darwin Ramos.

Many of readers were touched by this example of Joy and Love through disease and suffering, while Darwin is only an adolescent, and testified of the graces received by his intercession: “In spite of the disease, it is his joy of living and his luminous glance that will have touched more than one. Darwin has left the image of a young boy edifying with holiness, who despite his young age, quickly realized that his illness, much more than an irreversible ordeal, was none the less a mission… A mission guided by the One he loved so much to call his Friend: Jesus.”

In 2018, the “Darwin Ramos Association” requested His Excellency Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao, to initiate the Cause of beatification and canonization of Darwin Ramos. The “Darwin Ramos Association” on March 14, 2018 assigned Father Thomas de Gabory, OP, as Postulator. His Excellency Honesto Ongtioco confirmed this nomination by Decree of May 25, 2018. The Postulator officially addressed the written request (Supplex Libellus) to open the Cause of beatification and canonization of Darwin Ramos on June 20, 2018. The acceptance letter was signed on November 7, 2018. Father Robert T. Young, a Filipino Canon lawyer, has been nominated as vice-postulator.

On March 29, 2019, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints accepted and signed with Nihil Obstat the document for the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Darwin Ramos through it’s Prefect, His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Becciu in Rome. The Cause for his beatification and canonization was formally opened on August 28, 2019 – Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo.

As we learn the inspiring life story of our new Servant of God, let us imitate his virtues and be the light in the midst of our national and personal darkness that we experienced as of this moment.

Before ending this blog post, here is the official prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Servant of God Darwin Ramos

O God of all Joy, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you never leave alone those who are in a time of trial. We thank you for giving us, in Darwin Ramos, a street child, an illuminating example of Christian life. During his short life you gave him the grace of simple never-failing faith, of joyful hope in illness, of endless charitable concern for his neighbor. We pray you grant your servant Darwin glorification on earth so that young and sick people may find in him a master of Joy. Through his intercession, hear our prayer, (express it here). We ask this, through Jesus-Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Imprimatur:
Honesto Ongtioco, DD
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao
November 22, 2018

For any favors through the intercession of Servant of God Darwin Ramos, kindly log in to https://darwin-ramos.org/prayers/ or to the following address:

Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation Inc.
94 Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City

References:

Matthieu Dauchez, “Plus fort que les ténèbres [Stronger than Darkness]”, Paris (France), Éditions Artège [fr], 2015, 168 p. (ISBN 9782360403363)
Daniel-Ange de Maupeou d’Ableiges [fr], “Prophètes de la Beauté [Prophets of Beauty]”, Montrouge (France), Éditions du Jubilé [fr], 2016, 236 p. (ISBN 9782866795658), pp. 25-38.
“Ma Figure Spirituelle, Darwin Ramos”, La Vie, 29 avril 2015.
Alexandra Chapeleau, “La mission de Darwin Ramos: Plus fort que les ténèbres”, retrieved on fr.zenith.org, March 20, 2015.
Archives preserved by the Postulation of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization.

Photos courtesy of the Darwin Ramos Foundation.

Venerable Alfredo Ma. Obviar – The Meek Shepherd of Lucena

With the latest news on the recent declaration of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis of recognizing the heroic virtues of one of the most beloved prelates in our country’s church history, Bishop Alfredo Obviar.

It is a high time that we need to take a look on his holy life that is worth emulating not only by our own clergymen, but also by the faithful for his life a picture of tireless service to the master of the vineyard.

Early Life and Calling

Alfredo Maria Obviar y Aranda was born on August 29, 1889 in Lipa City, Batangas, to devout Catholics parents, Telesforo Obviar and Catalina Aranda and the only son of the family. Having become an orphan at the early age, he was taken care of by relatives from his mother’s side.

Venerable Alfredo Ma. Obviar as a priest

The young Alfredo ready felt the call for priesthood at his young age that he soon entered the Jesuit Seminary of San Francisco Javier in 1907. After his graduation in Liberal Arts at the old Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros, he continued his study for the priesthood in the Central Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas, he was ordained priest on March 15, 1919.

Early Life in God’s Service

Father Obviar has this passion to evangelize the youth of his area that on his assignment in Malvar, Batangas as a Parish Priest, he displayed an extraordinary charism for organizing catechists as well as for teaching catechism most especially to the old folks. In Lipa City, where he became also the Parish Priest, he established many catechetical centers in the poblacion and in the barrios. According to old folks in Lipa, some 300 catechists would teach the children every Sunday – a prophetic preparation for what he would do in the coming years.

Because of his zeal, dedication to study and priestly holiness, Bishop Alfredo Ma. Versoza made him Vicar General of the Diocese of which at that time covered the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Marinduque. In addition, he was also the chaplain of the Carmelite Nuns in the Monastery of Lipa.

It was in his assignment as the chaplain of the Carmelite Nuns in Lipa that he developed his devotion to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower of Carmel and Patroness of the Missions and to the Virgin of Carmel that he would later name his congregation and seminary respectively years later.

The Lipa Events

Ven. Alfredo Obviar with the Carmelite Nuns of Lipa

On June 29, 1944, he became Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa making the formation of rural volunteer catechists the main thrust of his ministry. It was about the period between 1948 and 1950 that the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to be appearing to a young nun in the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa named Teresita Castillo and that there were allegedly miraculous showers of roses. It has not yet been ascertained what the late Bishop Obviar’s role in the incident was. He was a matter of fact the chaplain and confessor of the nuns in the Monastery.

However, in compliance with a declaration of non-approval by a six member panel of Bishops representing the former Catholic Welfare Organization, both Bishop Versoza and Bishop Obviar followed with magnanimous prudence the line of keeping quiet about the alleged incidents. Some nuns in the monastery were consequently distributed to different monasteries of the Order. With early resignation of Bishop Versoza, Bishop Obviar received from the Holy See a new assignment – that of Apostolic Adminisrtation of the newly created Diocese of Lucena. He occupied this position from March 15, 1951 to July 19, 1969, when he, at the recommendation of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Carmine Rocco, became the first Bishop of Lucena.

The unexpected transfer of Bishop Obviar to the fledging Diocese of Lucena was in some sense providential. Despite of the controversy, he continued his pastoral ministry with Carmelite humility and dedication. He heroically kept to himself what has transpired in the Monastery of Lipa and never released any statements regarding this matter until his death.

The Meek Pastor

He started to build a new Diocese with the help of only 30 priests. He saw the need of collaborators who would help the priests catechize their flock. It was from this zeal that the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus was founded on August 12, 1958. The MCST Sisters faithfully keep alive the zeal and diligence of Bishop Obviar in carrying out the task of Evangelization up to the present. Soon afterwards, he establishment the Mount Carmel Seminary, later renamed as St. Alphonsus School of Theology and the number of priests increased to more than one hundred between 1951 and 1975, the year of his retirement.

One of the spiritual exercises which he strongly encouraged the priests to practice was the keeping of the Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament or at least an hour prayer. Such was expected from one who was a man of prayer himself. He was a priest whose solitude was as eloquent as his preaching.

Ven. Alfredo Ma. Obviar meeting St. John XXIII

Transparently as priest, he led the common life of a Bishop of the Church animating the priests with his Spirit-filled monthly conferences and meticulously prepared circulars and letters. In addition to Pastoral Visitations, in which he himself tried to feel the pulse of the lay faithful, he likewise organized diocesan conventions and diocesan congresses on the various areas of the apostolate. Above all, he kept with great regularity and dedication the yearly catechetical convention.

The catechist in Bishop Obviar did not wane in his advance age of 80. He would still gather a handful of “catechists oradores” at the sacristy of the cathedral or at his residence to review the “doctrina” with them in prayerful fashion. He encouraged the priests to give at least once a week “conferencilla” to adults whenever they could be gathered, such as in street corners and unused public places. The Word of God must be preached from the housetops.

His last years

When sickness and advancing age have become very apparent, Bishop Obviar was given a Coadjutor in the person of Bishop Jose T. Sanchez. He considered his eventual retirement from the government of the diocese as a change of mission in the Church to pray more for the Church and to offer his sickness in union with Jesus for his beloved catechists.

His Passing to Eternal Life and Tributes

He spent the last three years of his life in the Covenant of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese in Tayabas, Quezon. Nothing gave him more joy as when the Sisters would gather around him to share with him their little stories and experiences in the field. He would always remind them to give the lessons with simplicity, humility and one point at a time.

He died peacefully in the Lord on October 1, 1978 in the hospital which he founded, the Mount Carmel Clinic. His remains are buried in the Compound of the MCST in Tayabas, awaiting for the glorious resurrection and justification.

The people of Lipa and Lucena unceasingly gave tributes to this beloved prelate. In 1994, the Bishop Alfredo Obviar Museum opened in Tayabas, Quezon where his memorabilia is currently kept and preserved. Ten years later, in 2004, the Kalipulako Street in Lipa. Batangas was renamed Obispo Obviar Street in honor of its first Filipino priest and later Bishop.

The Cause for Beatification and Canonization

Soon after his death, numerous pilgrims would visit his tomb to pay homage to their beloved prelate and would ask for his intercession. Miracles began to happen through his intercession that the Cause for his Sainthood was introduced and Bishop Obviar was declared “Servant of God” on March 6, 2001. On June 26, 2014 his mortal remains were exhumed and transferred to it’s present site to the New St. Therese Chapel in the MCST Mother house in Tayabas, Quezon Province.

On November 7, 2018, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received an audience with His Eminence, Angelo Cardinal Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. In that audience the Holy Father has authorized the promulgation of the Decree of the Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God, Alfredo Maria Obviar by conferring to him the title “Venerable”. Once the Sovereign Pontiff recognized the “heroic virtues” of a candidate for sainthood and declares the candidate “Venerable”, it is a few steps away for possible Beatification and Canonization.

The Holy life of Venerable Bishop Alfredo Maria Obviar is a life of endless service and that of a true missionary which is evident in his mission maxim: “Salvar a last almas es amarlas.” (To save souls is to love them). May this maxim may be our own as we emulate his life and zeal as we are living through tough times in our lifetime. As we conclude this blogpost dedicated to Venerable Alfredo Ma. Obviar here is the official prayer for the cause of his Sainthood and hopefully he will be immediately beatified and canonized in our lifetime as the first Filipino Bishop to be honored as such.

Prayer for Beatification and Canonization of Bishop Alfredo Maria Obviar

Almighty and ever loving Father You always provide for your people by appointing shephered to care for them. You made Venerable Alfredo Maria Obviar a faithful priest, a true shephered to the flock, and a model to his brother priests. We thank You for having raised this servant as an example of humble obedience to the Church, a silent and committed witness to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus.

We also praise You, Father, that fired with filial love for Mary, Queen of Carmel and imbued with the simplicity of St Therese You inspired Venerable Alfredo Maria to found the Institute of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese in order to carry out the task of evangelization, an urgent task for the Church today.

In Your merciful love grant us the grace we now ask (Mention your petitions), so that You may be glorified and the Church may present him to the world as another witness of holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us!

If through the Mercy of God, a favor has been granted to you through the Venerable Servant of God Alfredo Ma. Obviar, you may send your testimonies to

Alfredo Ma. Obviar Center
MCST Compound, Tayabas City, 4327, Quezon Province, Philippines
Tel nos. (042) 793 – 3699/ CP. 042-713-1881
Email: alfredomariaobviar@yahoo.com.ph/sr.renerarela@yahoo.it

References:

_ (2015) Servant of God Alfredo Ma. Obviar August 29, 1889 – October 1, 1978, Priest of Lipa, First Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa, First Bishop of Lucena, Founder of MCST (Missionary Cathechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Tayabas. Quezon.
_ (2016), Biography of Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Obviar, Retreived from http://alfredomaobviar.wixsite.com/bamo on November 8, 2018.
Darang, Josephine, (2006), A Purely Personal book of Miracles: A Collection of Columns published by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sound Publishing Corporation, Makati City.
de Jesus, Rene (2015), Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, A Journey of Suffering and Holiness (Carmel of Lipa), LSA Printing Press, Inc. Mandaluyong City. thanks
Lagdameo, Angel, DD,(undated), The Servant of God Alfredo Maria, Obviar.
Tenedero, Erik (2018), Pope decalres Lucena’s first Bishop “Venerable”, Retreived from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news

Special credits to the owners of the photos that were utilized for this blogpost. +AM+DG+

Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitación: The Strong Willed Servant of Our Lord and Our Lady

In previous articles in this blog, we’ve introduced the lives of important pioneer Filipina Foundresses of different Religious Orders/Congregations for women in the country from the likes of Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, Servants of God Cecilia and Rosa Talangpaz of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters and the Servant of God Francisca del Espiritu Santo of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. This time, we will introduce another Foundress who made an impact in the history of the Filipino Catholic Church who’s cause for beatification and canonization is on its way.

Mother Rosario Arroyo, or “Madre Sayong” to her sisters, was born on February 17, 1884, in Molo, Iloilo to Ignacio Arroyo and Doña Maria Pidal as the only daughter of three children. Her two brothers were José María Arroyo, who later became a senator in 1919 and Mariano Arroyo, later elected as the Governor of Ilolo in 1928. She was christened María Beatriz del Rosario at Sta. Ana Church in Molo, Iloilo on February 20, 1884 by Rev. Fr. Agapito Buenaflor. A noteworthy tradition of her family was almsgiving; Rosario thus participated in the corporal works of mercy from an early age. Unspoilt by her affluent upbringing as a member of the aristocracy, she preferred a simple life reportedly donated her inheritance to the congregation upon becoming an heiress.

She first attended classes in a private school in Molo called the Colegio de Sta. Ana. In preparation for her first communion, she was transferred to the Colegio de San José which is administered by the Daughters of Charity. She stayed in San José until she finished her elementary education.

Heeding the Call

When the young María Beatriz moved to Manila to finish her studies at the Beaterio de Santa Catalina, she felt a call to religious life and soon made her religious profession to Dominican Order on January 3, 1914. On the day of her profession, she took the name “Rosario de la Visitacion” in reference to her strong devotion to the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. After which, she taught at the Beaterio in Manila and later in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

In the early years of her religious life, she distinguished herself by a solid love of prayer and a life of poverty in a strict religious observance. By this time, her parents, with the approval of the last American bishop of Jaro, the Most Rev. James McCloskey, D.D., made proper preparations for the foundation of the “Beaterio del Santisimo Rosario” in Molo, Iloilo City.

They received formal permission from the Holy See on July 24, 1925. Mother Rosario, accompanied by two Dominican Sisters from Santa Catalina, were the pioneers of the new foundation on February 18, 1927. A few years later, on March 14, 1933, the Congregation became juridically independent.

Madre Sayong on the day of her profession

The Congregation

During the early years of the Beaterio, like most of the newly founded Beaterios, Madre Sayong faced many trials in administration to address the growing needs of the expanding Beaterio. One of her biggest crosses was during the Second World War when her Beaterio was sequestered by the Japanese forces in 1945 who made it their headquarters and the subsequent bombings of the American forces months after during the period of liberation. Despite these hardships, Madre Sayong remained faithful and trusted in God’s Divine Providence to sustain her Beaterio during those trying times.

When the Beaterio was restored on May 5, 1952, the new constitutions for the Beaterio was finally approved and became the “Congregación Madres Dominicanas Terciarías de Sto. Domingo”. During its First General Chapter, Mother Rosario was elected as the First Superior General of the Congregation on January 4, 1953. Some years later, on April 15, 1958, the Diocesan Decree of Erection of the “Madres Dominicanas Terciarías de Santo Domingo” was issued and in 1958, the new Congregation was formally affiliated to the Order of Preachers by the Master General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Brown, OP.

The death of Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion

Madre Sayong’s Return to the Father

Four years after her election as the Mother Superior of the Congregation, Madre Sayong or Madre Maestra as she was lovingly called, died in the odor of sanctity on June 14, 1957 at the age of 75 after serving the congregation for 32 years. Her death certificate states that the immediate cause of her demise was hypertension and heart disease and the time of death was at 8:30 pm.

Mother Rosario’s last will and testament testified to her heroic observance of the vow of poverty by making the Congregation the sole heir of her inheritance. Her funeral was attended by both ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries and people from all walks of life, particularly the underprivileged, whom she cared and dedicated her entire life.

Mother Rosario was initially buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Molo but on July 23, 1982, a few decades after her death, her remains were transferred to a crypt at the garden of the Molo Dominican Motherhouse. On October 7, 2008, her remains were once again moved from the garden to its final resting place at the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Molo.

The Congregation at Present

With the present membership of over 250 sisters, Mother Rosario’s congregation runs multiple schools, colleges and retreat houses. Nationally, the Congregation has professed sisters in the archdioceses of Jaro, Capiz, and Manila, as well as the dioceses of Bacolod, Imus, Mati, San José de Antique, and Tagum.

The congregation also has overseas presence in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ngong in Kenya; At the Convitto San Tommaso (Convitto Internazionale San Tommaso d’Aquino) in Rome; the Parish of San Quirico d’Orcia in Valdorcia, Tuscany in the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino (Italy); and in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Honolulu in the United States.

The Cause for Beatification and Canonization

Mother Rosario’s cause for sainthood is currently under process. In the Roman Catholic Church, several miracles are currently being investigated purportedly attributed to her intercession. On July 28, 2009, Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, DD, Archbishop-Emeritus of Jaro issued an edict declaring that he is initiating the diocesan process for the Cause of the Canonization of the Servant of God Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion which was officially opened on the 7th day of October 2009 at the parish church of St. Anne, Molo, Iloilo City.

The Cause of Mother Rosario Arroyo was initiated by the Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission (MRAC) headed by former Superior General, Mother Visitacion Alecto, O.P. Later, Rev. Fr. Samson S. Silloriquez, OAR, was constituted as the Postulator who petitioned Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo to decree the Initial Diocesan Process for the Cause of Mother Rosario’s beatification and canonization.

On June 12, 2019, Pope Francis receives in audience Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorizes the promulgation of decrees regarding eight causes for canonization. One of them was the casue of Mother Rosario Arroyo and all eight were declared Venerable.

The opening of the cause of Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitación

The legacy of Madre Sayong

Madre Sayong’s life can perhaps be best pictured in paradoxes. She may born in one of the most affluent families in the country but chose a life of poverty in imitation of the life of Our Lord and Our Lady; She was gentle by nature but was very strong in the faith; She was almost always in position of authority yet she was ever ready to be of service to others. She personified optimism and unfaltering trust in God’s loving providence. Through her unconditional self-giving, she enriched the lives of others as she wrote in her diary “We should love our neighbors as ourselves without interest.”

The legacy of Mother Rosario may be summarized through the following points:

Her deep love for God;
strong love for neighbor;
her exemplary love for the Blessed Virgin Mary through her burning devotion in praying the Rosary which she first learned at the lap of her mother;
and leadership by example.

The Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary who, to this day, lives on her legacy and continues their Foundress’ mission.

As we end this article dedicated to the strong-willed foundress, here is the official prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of the Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, OP:

O most loving and merciful Father, You constantly build up Your Church through Your faithful servants who dedicate themselves to You in love, service and generosity. We thank you, loving Father, for you have shown through Your beloved servant, Venerable Mother Rosario, Your constant love and care in the world by accepting within the Church a religious family whose members dedicate themselves to the education and formation of Your people.

We beg you, loving Father, to raise Venerable Mother Rosario to the glory of the Blessed Ones. May her love and dedication to the work of Your Son, continue to inspire young women and men to serve Christ faithfully. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

(Here you may present your petition to God through the prayers of Mother Rosario)

One Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be

For petitions granted through the intercession of Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, please the testimonies at:

Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
Molo, Iloilo City, the Philippines
337-9820/ 338-0272

References:

Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines (2011), “Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion: Foundress”, Makinaugalingon Printer and Bookbinder, Molo, Iloilo.
Salvilla, Rex, (2009), “Canonization process for Mother Rosario Arroyo’s sainthood begins”, The News Today.

Pintakasi ng Aming Bayan: An Introduction

The Iconic Procession of the Quiapo, Manila’s Black Nazarene

Pintakasi, a Tagalog word that is used to refer to someone who intercedes or mediates between God and the people. Pintakasi is commonly associated to a patron saint who mediates, intercede or plead your case to God on behalf of the people. The people of a specific city, town, barrio or baranggay has its own Pintakasi where they can succor to in times of need; whether a personal need or the need of the entire populace and once granted, the people will hold fiestas, annually or twice, even seven times a year in thanksgiving to God through the intercession of the town’s Pintakasi.

An accurate depiction of the First Mass of 1521 contrary to its popular depiction

Christianity in the Philippines was introduced by Spanish missionaries and colonists, who arrived in waves beginning in the early 16th century in Cebu in 1521 (thru the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan that was abruptly ended with the Battle of Mactan) and in 1565 (thru the triumphant conquest of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi that lasted for almost four centuries). With the arrival of the Missionary Friars of different Orders, from the Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinian Recollects, Hospitalliers, Franciscan Cappuchins, Benedictines, Vincentians and other orders, the Missionary zeal of Evangelizing the Filipinos was a remarkable success through their tireless efforts on this Herculean task.

A distinction that Filipino Catholics are best known is that Filipinos are very Marian. Filipinos are very close to the Blessed Virgin Mary that in fact many women are named after her from “Maria” and other names that are associated with the Mother of God. She has a fair share of festivities and cultural impact all over the country that solidifies our distinction as the “Pueblo Amante de Maria” (The People in love with Mary). Her Patronage is so powerful that she became the Principal Patroness of the Philippines (as the Immaculate Conception), the Celestial Patroness of the country (as Our Lady of Guadalupe), the Queen and Protectress of the Philippines (as Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila) and the Beacon of Light of the Philippines [Luz de Filipinas] (as Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga).

The Grand Procession of Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila

The Philippines has shown a strong devotion to Mary, evidenced by her patronage of various towns and locales nationwide. Particularly, there are pilgrimage sites where each town has created their own versions of Mary. With miracle stories and the devotional culture that surrounds a certain venerated Marian image, Filipino Catholics have created localized images that became the focal point of popular devotions to which have been recognized by various Popes through Canonical Coronation of these images.

Catholic holy days, such as Christmas, Good Friday, etc. are observed as national holidays, with local saints’ days being observed as holidays in different towns and cities. The Hispanic-influenced custom of holding fiestas in honour of patron saints have become an integral part of Filipino culture, as it allows for communal celebration as well as serving as a time marker for the year. A nationwide fiesta occurs every third Sunday of January, on the country-specific Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú. The largest celebrations are the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan and the Dinagyang in Iloilo City (which is instead held on the fourth Sunday of January).

Now, why this blog was conceptualized in the first place?

This blog was conceptualized to introduce and re-introduce our Patrons, our Pinatakasis , well known, lesser known and the forgotten ones, so that not only to propagate their devotion, but also to see why they celebrate such festivity with pomp and grandeur and how the Pintakasi became integral to the lives of the people, particularly to its loyal devotees. The blog also will feature some devotional practices that are commended by the Church for centuries that us Filipino Catholics must practice as our guide in our spiritual life, some analysis of some popular devotions in the country and lives of Filipino and honorary Filipino saints and saints to be so that the faithful will be aware of their lives who lived “in odor of sanctity” and ask for their intercession, especially to those who are in the process of beatification and canonization so that one day, they will be exalted to the altars and venerated by many.

May this blog may be our guide to our rich Catholic faith through a glimpse of history, culture, and piety that make us the predominantly Catholic country in Asia.