The memory of Abp. Mabutas remains

In time for the 45th founding anniversary of the Teresian Daughters of Mary (TDM), the memorabilia of the then Davao Archbishop Antonio Lloren Mabutas, the congregation’s founder, was blessed and reopened to the public.

Last September 15, also the feast day of their Patron Saint, the Our Lady of Sorrows, the TDM sisters along with some faithful joyfully celebrated the re-opening of the memorabilia of Archbishop Mabutas.

“This was reopened in time for our 45th founding anniversary, which also marks our preparation for the golden jubilee in 2024,” said Sr. Ma. Teresita Salang, the mother superior of the congregation.

Sr. Salang said that the house of the memorabilia is also the same house Abp. Mabutas resided when he retired from being the Davao Archbishop.

However, Sr. Salang said it will still undergo minimal renovations.

“We still have to put labels on some of the items displayed. There are still some improvements that we will make before our golden jubilee,” she said.

According to Sr. Salang who considers Abp. Mabutas as an instrumental person in her vocation, the Archbishop stayed in the said house starting 1997, at the age of 75, until his death in 1999.

Abp. Mabutas personally designed his home. It has a terrace where, according to Sr. Salang, he usually stays every afternoon.

“This terrace is where he stays in the afternoon and pray the rosary. The sisters will come to say it with him. But when the bell rings for our prayer, he would always tell them to go and pray with the community,” Sr. Salang said.

She added that although they would insist to stay with him, he would always encourage them to be with the community.

The receiving area, which Abp. Mabutas also designed, is dominantly green.

“He loves the color green. He personally designed this all,” Sr. Salang said.

Abp. Mabutas is also a Marian. A big rosary with the small statue of the Blessed Mother is displayed in the receiving area.

He is also a known devotee of San Antonio de Padua. Each of the sala and in the prayer room has an image of the saint. Sr. Salang recalled that the Archbishop derives his name from the saint.

Other items displayed include awards and recognitions, car, musical instruments, images, cassocks and other clothing, bed, rosary, pectoral cross, and other memento of the archbishop who inspired and touched many people when he was still alive and even when he joined the Creator.

His memorabilia serves as a remembrance of his life as a priest, archbishop, and founder of the TDM congregation, Sr. Salang described.

“He has a great influence to me personally. I started my formation years with him. As postulant, I already assisted him in some of his activities in the archdiocese. He really guided me,” Sr. Salang said.

Sr. Salang invites everyone to visit Abp. Mabutas’ memorabilia at the Generalate House in Matina to know more about the life of the archbishop.