Venerable – Pintakasi

Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot – The Holy Prelate of Cebu

Cebu, is known as the birthplace of the Catholic Faith in the Philippines where the faith was so alive and colorful since the Spanish era. It is in Cebu where the famed and canonically crowned images of Santo Niño de Cebu, the Virgen de la Regla, and Virgen de Guadalupe of Cebu are enshrined and the birthplace of our second Filipino Saint – St. Pedro Calungsod.

In recent years, local and national news outlets report the sanctity of one of Cebu’s illustrious prelates that gained much publicity and fame – the Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot. Let us get to know more about this Holy Bishop from the Visayas and discover how he became beloved by his flock and holy life led to his cause for sainthood.

Venerable Archbishop Camomot with his parents

Early Life

Archbishop Teofilo Camomot was born on March 3, 1914, in Barangay Cogon, Carcar, Cebu, to Luis Camomot and Angela Bastida. He was baptized the following day, and on August 22, 1915, he received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

At an early age, Teofilo was already exposed to a very religious environment. He spent his elementary years at Carcar Elementary School where he was fondly called “Lolong” by his classmates, friends, and relatives. After graduating from elementary, Lolong decided to help his father on the farm and dreamt of being an agriculturist, which his mother disapproved of. Even at a young age, he already showed signs of love and concern for the poor, asking his mother for some rice or food so that he can give to the farmers and poor people. Once when his elder brother, Fr. Diosdado, visited and saw that he was not attending school, he asked him if he wanted to enter the seminary.

Answering the call

Camomot entered the Seminario Menor de San Carlos in Mabolo, Cebu City, for his secondary education from 1932 to 1933, pursuing his philosophical and theological studies at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos. He was ordained a priest on 14 December 1941, celebrating his Cantamisa (first Mass of a newly ordained priest) on the second floor of his home instead of his parish in Carcar because of the outbreak of the Second World War.

For twelve years, he served as the parish priest of Santa Teresa de Ávila Parish in Talisay. In 1955, the Third Order of Carmelites Discalced (now the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites) was established at the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, and he was elected as the first prior of the San Elías Chapter.

As a Shepherd of a flock

On 25 March 25, 1955, Feast of the Annunciation, Fr. Camomot was appointed auxiliary bishop of Jaro, Iloilo, receiving episcopal ordination on May 29, 1955, and staying in Jaro until 1959. After Masses, he kept himself busy by visiting the poor, especially those who are sick. In 1959, he was sent to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro as coadjutor archbishop with the right of succession. During these years, he formed communities that would help the Church in the work of evangelization: the Paulinian Faith Defenders and the Carmelite Tertiaries of the Blessed Eucharist, the forerunners of the Daughters of Saint Teresa.

Between 1962 and 1965, he attended the first (October 11, 1962 – December 8, 1962), third (September 14, 1964 – November 21, 1964), and fourth (September 14, 1965 – December 8, 1965) sessions of the Second Vatican Council. During the Second Vatican Council, he was one of the participants for which he had to endure traveling by sea from the Philippines to Rome in the fourth class of a luxury liner. Even though he was in Europe, his generosity especially to the poor, and his simplicity were observed by those around him.

Due to kidney problems, he resigned his position as coadjutor archbishop in 1970. He came back to Cebu and was assigned in Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish in Barangay El Pardo, Cebu City. Together with him were some sisters from the congregation he founded in Mindanao. From Pardo, he was assigned to his native town in Carcar in the year 1976. Aside from being the pastor of the parish, he was also auxiliary bishop to Julio Cardinal Rosales. Again, his generosity became very well known that rectory workers began complaining about the number of poor people lining up to ask for food. His brothers and sisters would even remind him to be more cautious of the people whom he was helping because his generosity might be abused, but he always saw the goodness in every person he met.

Archbishop Lolong’s ministry

Archbishop Camomot was not much of an eloquent preacher or a convincing speaker, but his actions spoke louder than words. He was noted for his diligence in his pastoral duties (spending hours in the Confessional), devotion to prayer (waking up very early for his morning prayers and meditation), as well as his numerous works of charity. His parishioners until now cannot forget his simplicity, his personal holiness, and his apostolic works, especially among the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the suffering. His simplicity was attested by so many people even fellow prelates. There were many stories about the Archbishop’s Franciscan-like poverty. Cardinal Vidal has once told that on one occasion he noticed that Archbishop Camomot was not wearing his pectoral cross, the cross that a bishop wears on his breast. Curious, he asked Monsignor Camomot about it. He made some excuse. Later a priest told the Cardinal that the Archbishop had pawned his cross to give some money to the poor. The Cardinal later gave him a new cross and told him not to give it away.

He was also known for his spiritual gifts of healing, reading hearts, levitation, and bilocation. Cebu archbishop emeritus Ricardo Jamin Vidal said there were several testimonies about Camomot’s bilocation or there were people who would see him present in two places at the same time. The archbishop has signed an affidavit in relation to a witness’ account on this phenomenon where Camomot was drowsing beside him at a meeting of the College of Consultors. “I have already authenticated his presence at a meeting. But a woman said at that time he was in a mountain barangay (in Carcar) giving the last sacrament to a dying person,” he said. “He (Camomot) was at my left, and Archbishop (Manuel) Salvador– discussing the pastoral (thrust) of the diocese—at my right. I said ‘Monsignor, we have a votation and you have to vote,'” he added.

Funeral of Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot

An unexpected end

On September 27, 1988, after celebrating the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos and visiting the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Mabolo, Archbishop Camomot traveled home to Carcar with his chauffeur. While he was asleep, his vehicle overturned in Sitio Magtalisay, Barangay Sangat, San Fernando, Cebu. Camomot immediately died from his injuries at about 02:00 pm, but his chauffeur survived. Thousands were shocked by the news of his death and he was greatly mourned that thousands attended Archbishop Camomot’s funeral at the municipal cemetery. In 2009, his body was exhumed for transfer to the Daughters of Santa Teresa convent in Valladolid, Carcar City.

The cause for his sainthood

The Daughters of Saint Teresa formally petitioned for the opening of a cause for beatification and canonization. On October 15, 2010, Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Cardinal Vidal announced that the Holy See has approved the opening of the cause for beatification and canonization. On December 27, 2010, Cardinal Vidal formed a commission to look into the possibility of beatification. After the Diocesan Phase, the Congregation for the Causes for Saints will have to certify the results. Then a Positio Super Vita et Virtutibus (On the Life and Virtues) will have to be written and submitted.

On May 21, 2022, Pope Francis, through the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, promulgated the decree of heroic virtues of the Servant of God Archbishop Teofilo naming him as Venerable.

His tomb behind the chapel of the DST Convent in Valladolid, Carcar City has become a pilgrimage site for devotees of Archbishop Camomot, who admire the example of his life and believe in the efficacy of his intercession. One of the most publicized miracles of Archbishop Lolong was the cure of a nun who had a serious eye disease who was suddenly cured when she laid on the bed of the Servant of God. The major dates of pilgrimage are on his birthday on March 3 and his death anniversary on 27 September 27. Near the tomb, a museum displays various items he had used in his lifetime.

Before we conclude this blogpost dedicated to Servant of God Teofilo Camomot, here is the official prayer to the Servant of God to ask for favors and for the advancement of the cause of his beatification and canonization

Almighty and ever-living God, it was Your grace and love of you that you made your servant, Teofilo Camomot devote his life to your service, as Priest and Bishop, a life of self-abnegation, constant prayer, and generous love for the poor and the needy. Grant that his virtues provide a lasting example for all and merit the approval of the Church that he be raised to the Altars.

As a sign of your benevolence to your servant’s cause, we humbly implore you to bestow upon us this favor (mention your request)

In the Name of Jesus, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …

For favors received through Venerable Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, kindly inform or write to:

Daughters of Saint Teresa
Valladolid, Carcar City Cebu, 6019
Philippines
Telephone No.: +6332 487-9233
Mobile No.: +63 919-995-9350

References:

“Archbishop Teofilo Camomot Bastida”. catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
“Archbishop Teofilo Camomot The Road to Sainthood”. cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
“Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot, D.D.” archbishopcamomot.ph. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
Mayol, Ador Vincent (3 January 2018). “Remains of Archbishop Camomot, candidate for sainthood, exhumed”. Inquirer.Net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
“Beatification of Archbp. Teofilo Camomot, D.D.” dst.ph. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
“Vatican opens cause for beatification of Archbishop Camomot of Carcar, Cebu”. lifestyle.inquirer.net. Retrieved April 16 2017.

Credits to the owners of the photos that were utilized for this blogpost dedicated to Servant of God Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.
+AM+DG+

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.