JMTS Celebrated the Feast of the Foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary

The Jesus and Mary Thevenet School (JMTS), adjacent to the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal, celebrated the Feast of St. Claudine Thevenet, the foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary (RJM) last February 3, 2020 attended by all pupils from kinder 1 to grade 6 with their parents and/or guardians.

There were different presentations such as dancing and singing of the song Heal our Land by the pupils. The celebration was highlighted by a Holy Eucharist presided over by no less than the OLLP Parish Administrator Rev. Fr. Henry G. Campeon, D.C.D.

St. Claudine Thevenet was a woman called by God to form the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary. Her works of charity was born in a heart crushed by the pain of personal tragedy during the French revolution. She was 19 years old when her brothers were shot dead before her eyes and the family was distressingly scattered. This was a decisive turning point in her life. God works in such wonders.

In finding ways to realize God’s designs she concluded that in all the violence she witnessed, there was more ignorance than malice. The thought of those who live and die without God, haunted her and caused her anguish. For from closing in upon herself in suffering, she opened her heart to the miseries surrounding her. Her response to the call of God led to her total commitment to follow Christ. A religious family was born in the Church.

She dedicated her life to make Jesus and Mary known and loved by means of Christian education in all social milieu with the preference of the POOR YOUNG people.

“We annually give honor to the foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, St. Claudine Thevenet as a way of advocating her charism, her courageous heart, forgiving spirit and faith in God. It’s been 7 years that her charism is spread in the Philippines especially in Davao City,” Fe Corazon Ceniza, School Principal of Jesus and Mary Thevenet School (JMTS) in Bangkal, said in an interview. (Merlyn J. Resula | OLLP SoCCom)