Since the beginning, love begets love

(A retrospect on the founding of Caritas-Davao—a fruit of love by the late Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas whose death anniversary we celebrated last April 22)

It was out of his love for the poor victims of Salmonan fire outbreak that the former Archbishop of Davao, the late Antonio Ll. Mabutas, created the Caritas-Davao Foundation, on September 15, 1972.

From a simple group of volunteers, most of them charitable couples, the love for the poor and the needy of Msgr. Mabutas multiplied through these couples who catered the needs of the fire victims.

To give proper recognition, they are Mr. Perfecto and Mrs. Remy Domingo, Engr. Abraham and Mrs. Josie Vacaventa, Engr. Vicente and Mrs. Choling Albay, Atty. Leonor and Mena Lozano, Atty. Martin and Linda Suelto, Judge de leon, Judge Nortates, Mrs. Emma Protacio, Mrs. Virgie Raclo, etc.. if not mentioned, blessed are the forgotten.

Until today, most of these pioneering volunteers are already widowed still young, happy and strong at the age of 75-87-94, their love for the poor and the needy is persevering so much that they are still serving the Caritas Davao Foundation, Inc..

At present some are still members of the Board of Directors at the same time volunteering in the outreach program of Caritas with the assigned TDM Sisters as program coordinator.

In the history of the early church and in the Old Testament, the widows were considered weak and despised helpless, but in the history of Caritas Davao, the widows became pillars, they are the ones who help the helpless, they are the strength of the weak and the source of courage and hope for the despised, the needy and the hopeless. They became strong because of the love that they received from God, from Msgr. Mabutas and they share this love to others with joy and enthusiasm. Their motto: A heart that serves is always strong, a heart that cares is always happy and a heart that loves is always young.

This is the life of Caritas-Davao Foundation, Inc.. It continues to serve through its volunteers. Some are gone; they died in serving in charity but the Lord sends more replacing those who died and failed, and strengthening those who continue in the service of the vineyard of the Lord.

God completed the three state of life attracting the priests, religious brothers and sisters, lay couples married and single blessedness who are so committed, faithful to their charitable work in Caritas.

This working love is everlasting and this love continues and never ends. God is love—Deus Caritas Est. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—All these are for the greater glory of God.