Teresian Daughters of Mary at 42

“Celebrating our 42nd founding anniversary is a reminder for us of the vision and mission of this congregation’s foundation,” Sister Yong, TDM shared in the dialect. Their congregation, the Teresian Daughters of Mary (TDM), celebrated their anniversary last September 15, 2016 in their Generalate House in Matina.

This year’s celebration according to Sr. Bing Neri, TDM, the mother general, is simple: a 9-day Novena and a 3-day on-going formation last September 9-11, 2016 with Sr. Leticia Garcia, DC on “The Stages of Power and Faith” to help strengthen their community life. On the day itself a Rosary of Seven Sorrows of Mary, Vespers or Evening Prayers and Holy Mass.

The celebration of the Holy Mass, presided by Msgr. Julius Rodulfa, included the blessing and donning of their new medal which bore the face of Our Lady of Sorrows on one side and on another the face of St. Teresa of Avila. Their third order members also joined their celebration. A fellowship dinner followed after the mass. The occasion was also graced by the presence of two bishops: Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao and Bishop Jimmy Afable of the Diocese of Digos.

The Teresian Daughters of Mary was founded by the late Archbishop Antonio Lloren Mabutas, former Archbishop of Davao. It was held on the Feast Day of their Patron Saint, the Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15, 1974. The beginnings of the congregation were fraught with difficulties of sorts and pains, the founding members were inspired to remain at the foot of the Cross of Jesus with the sorrowful Blessed Mother. It has been 42 years hence and the congregation continues to thrive under her patronage and also of St. Teresa of Avila for whom they are named after. From the 16 initial members, 8 were professed and among them 3 are still around. They have grown to 50 members 10 years after.

Their mission, which is to answer the immediate needs of the local Church, found them in pastoral and educational apostolates. They used to be involved in the BTMC or Bishop Thibault Media Center and also with the Archdiocesan Liturgy Center. Now they are active in the JCC, Caritas, Social Action and in the REMASE where one serves as the Registrar. They also administer former PME schools such as the Holy Cross of Agdao, Babak, Bunawan and Matanao. They also run the Assumption Academy of Penaplata, Maryknoll High Schools in Asuncion, New Corilla in Davao del Norte and in Manay, Davao Oriental. Three sisters serve in key positions in the Holy Cross of Davao College.

Since the late Abp. Mabutas hailed from the Ilocos Region, they were invited to serve the diocesan school St. Mary’s Academy of Agoo, La Union. One sister serves as the Religious Coordinator of the Diocesan Catholic Schools of San Fernando, Pampanga. Another school outside of the diocese is in San Enrique, Iloilo, the St. Therese Learning Center.

The sisters are grateful for their 42 years of existence and would like to share their joys with other women interested to join the religious life. They welcome ladies who are at least 18 to 30 years old, of good health and have at least two years of college education.