Missionary Sisters of The Immaculate Conception (MIC) Celebrate 100 years of Presence in The Philippines

Davaoeños since the 1970s and even earlier are all familiar with the Cursillo house and Our Lady of Good Counsel Dormitory along Florentino Torres Street, Davao City. These landmarks have been apostolates of the MIC sisters since.

Today, August 8, 2021, the MIC community together with the entire Catholic Church celebrates the 100th year of Presence in the Philippines. Who are the MIC sisters and what is their colorful history in our country?

The congregation was founded by Venerable Delia Tetreault in Quebec, Canada in 1902. In the year 1921, the first group of sisters arrived in the Philippines. Their initial mission works were at the Chinese General Hospital, catechetical work in Binondo and a little school named Immaculate Conception Anglo-Chinese Academy which started as a nursery school with 40 students.

In 1947, the sisters arrived in the shores of Mindanao and had their first mission in Mati, Davao Oriental. Six years later, on June 14, 1953, then Bishop Thibault presided over the blessing of Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall. In his short allocution, the bishop expressed his expectations of the new establishment – a hostel for female students, a meeting place for various Catholic organizations in the diocese, a venue for the formation of catechists and a home base from which to visit and minister to families in need. Evidently, the good bishop had a clear vision of the apostolate of the diocese.

The sisters also administered two schools in the city namely, the Davao Chinese Catholic Kindergarten School near Sta. Ana Church in 1953 and the Stella Maris Academy of Davao in 1962. The congregation also played a big role in the Child Jesus Home (1957-1987), a home to orphaned and abandoned boys and girls between 1 to 12 years old and the Fatima Community Center (1970-1980), a clinic for the poor which also gave sewing classes. The latter was founded and administered by Sr. Madeleine Alarie, MIC. In 1980, the Missionary of Charity took over the use of the center.

The growing number of Cursillistas and retreatants in Davao City called for a separate building in the same lot where the OLGC stands. The MIC Cursillo and Retreat House was inaugurated in 1967.

Other mission houses in Mindanao were also opened, namely the Saint Michael College in Padada, Davao del Sur in June 14, 1954 and the Holy Cross of Hagonoy in 1965.

In joy and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to the missionary sisters, various programs and activities were held to celebrate the centennial year. In August 22, 2020, the MIC sisters with the help of their lay collaborators started a feeding program in Bucana, Davao City, for 100 children every Saturday. The program lasted only until December 28 due to the restrictions of the community quarantines. They initiated their community pantry projects for 100 residents of Barangay 11 in May 7 and for the residents of Talikala, a non-government organization on May 10. .

The community was also able to assist 100 dialysis patients last June 3 and several homeless people and beggars last June 19.

A webinar on Spiritual Mindfulness: Recognizing God’s Presence in the Normal Setting was given by Dr. Nelson C. Magnaye to the community, their lay collaborators and friends last July 15.

Indeed, 100 years is a milestone. Many lives were blessed with the presence of the MIC sisters. God is indeed the fountain of all blessings.