On September 15, the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows, the opening of the Final Probation 2026–2027 took place in San Sebastián. This marks the final stage of initial formation before the perpetual vows of the Daughters of Jesus. At the official opening ceremony, the Superior General, Graciela Francovig, FI , offered words full of charismatic strength and encouragement for the experience they are beginning today. This was followed by the Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Ignacio Echarte, S.J., and attended by the entire community.
The 2026–2027 Final Probation Group
The group, as we have been introducing over the past few days, consists of seven junior members: María Cristal Bermejo Samis (Philippines), Cecilia Cao (Vietnam), Mónica Celina García Casañas (Uruguay), Inma Lin (Oriente), Ann Nguyen (Vietnam), Cintia Malaquias Rodríguez (Brazil), and Mary Mae Santorce Piosca (Philippines), along with the instructor, who is also a general advisor, Magda Zhang FI.
Words for This New Season
The opening of this Final Probation took place in a simple, heartfelt atmosphere, with a family-like spirit and genuine aspirations. We would like to highlight some of the words of Graciela Francovig, S.J., Superior General, which—in addition to being directed at the junior sisters in their Final Probation—can undoubtedly help all of us on our journeys of faith and commitment.
“Here you will begin a very important part of this stage, known as the ‘Route of the Founding Mother’… and the Ignatian route. It is important to be open to experiencing this ‘spiritual pilgrimage.’ Let the flavors of the origins of the Order and of our Ignatian roots enter through all your senses. This will be of great help to you during the four months you will spend in Rome.”
The Final Probation is a very important stage in the life of a Daughter of Jesus. This stage is for those who already dream of and desire to be Daughters of Jesus forever. And that is why the Congregation once again offers them this “school of affections, ”so they can rediscover their own vocation and feel that they belong to a universal body that extends beyond the borders of their own country or province. (…)
I pray that you will have “great courage” as you begin this experience. Allow the Lord to work within you; let the Spirit shape you into those true Daughters of Jesus that our Mother Candida so dearly desired.
I ask Mary and our Foundress to intercede for you during this time. Make the most of this experience. It is a way to care for the well-being of the Body. Thank you very much, and have a great start!”
On the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows
During the Eucharist, Fr. Ignacio Echarte, S.J., clearly and profoundly expressed in his homily the call to follow Jesus Christ as Daughters of Jesus. Here are some of his remarks:
“Throughout her life, Mary did nothing but accompany her Son and constantly ask herself what response she needed to give in order to be a faithful follower of her Son. In this way, at the foot of the cross, she received a new mission from her Son.
The essential and fundamental aspect of our consecrated life is to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ, and you, moreover, face a special challenge: to become Daughters of Jesus.
Being a Daughter of Jesus is not merely a matter of being listed in the catalog of the Daughters of Jesus, but rather of having a heart that is completely devoted to the Lord. It means recognizing yourselves as daughters of Jesus, and consequently having a very deep and vibrant relationship with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The path that lies ahead for you is to listen to what the Lord wants to tell you through Mother Candida—as a personal and communal vocation, and also as a vocation for your congregation and institute—so that you may be authentic Daughters of Jesus.
Almost six months on the road
This group thus begins a nearly six-month journey focused on the Spiritual Exercises, a deeper exploration of the Constitutions and the writings of Mother Cándida, and the experience of self-denial oriented toward the mission, as explained in the series *The Final Stage Before the Definitive “Yes”*: What is the Final Probation? These are the experiences that Graciela highlighted in her opening remarks for the Final Probation, also noting the challenge and opportunity presented by interculturality,
Let’s continue to support each junior member and her instructor with our prayers, care, and closeness. May this be a defining experience in their lives and in the life of the group.
