Triumph of Discipleship

May 15, 2024 marks the 2nd year anniversary of the canonization of St. Marie Rivier, foundress of the Presentation of Mary congregation. The PM sisters did not only offer a mass of thanksgiving for this special event but because of a more wonderful celebration, the jubilee of four of their sisters, Sr. Ma. Caritas V. Villas, PM celebrating her diamond jubilee, Sr. Elnora R. Taparan, PM & Sr. Monalyn A. Villamor, PM, their ruby and Sr. Stephanie T. Gimena, PM, her silver jubilee.

Words weren’t enough when Sr. Elnora was interviewed before the Holy Mass as she shared with us how she felt, “indescribable, overwhelming happiness to have reached 40 years in religious life at 70 years old.” She said she’s very grateful to God for being so faithful, even at times when she wasn’t, as well as the congregation who journeyed with her patiently. What Sr. Elnora prays for her and her jubilarian companions is to be able to continue to persevere until the very last breath of their lives.

The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Ronilo Villamor from the Diocese of Kidapawan, brother of Sr. Monalyn A. Villamor, PM. During the homily, Fr. Ronilo asked the congregation who decided that he be the presider, Since he fells that there are other priests who are older, thus maybe wiser that him. But as he continued with his reflection, he was very proud to say that he thinks he was chosen because he received a miracle from St. Marie Rivier which happened exactly a year ago.

Fr. Ronilo recounted that last year he was badly ill at the Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Kidapawan and Sr. Monalyn was his caregiver. Little did he know that his sister was praying to St. Marie Rivier for a miracle and it was indeed granted. Doctors said that very seldom patients survive with having sepsis in the blood. “I am grateful, I made it through the ICU… Mother St. Marie Rivier, interceded for me. So maybe that’s the reason I’m here in her second anniversary, celebrating and thanking God for the goodness that she continues to do, even if she’s already in heaven.” Fr. Ronilo was so convinced that he was St. Marie Rivier’s first miracle after she became a saint.

As Fr. Ronilo continued, he shared that these celebrations indeed were a triumph of discipleship. It is a proof of God’s goodness in the lives of the sisters as they have conquered the world like Jesus. In his final statements, he emphasized that their mission is not just to do their job in leadership but to prove to the world that God is truly alive and truly human and could bring satisfaction. Because we have received the joy and friendship that Jesus gave us, we too must share this joy and love to others. We have to loved them as Jesus loves us.

“May your tribe increase.” This was Fr. Ronilo’s final statement, a short prayer for the PM congregation for more vocations and perseverance to those who are professed.