In this celebration of Blessed María Antonia Bandrés, “Antoñita Blessed María Antonia Bandrés, “Antoñita”, our gaze turns to those who today incarnate the freshness of the charism.our gaze turns to those who today incarnate the freshness of the charism. Antoñita, patroness of the Daughters of Jesus in initial formation, taught us that holiness is a joyful and daily surrender . That same joy is what comes to us today from the Philippines through a very special testimony.
A new home for the charism: The formation house in Manila
The presence of this formation house in the Indian-Pacific Province is a sign of hope and vitality. As shared by our Superior General, Graciela Francovig, in her Circular Letter n. 51This house was born out of a process of discernment to offer an inculturated space for formation.
Today, the community in Manila welcomes young people from different backgrounds, such as Bangladesh and Indonesia. After a period of immersion in the English language, they begin their initial formation there. Under the guidance of Sr. Edhen Mae Paranga, Mistress of Novices, this project seeks to strengthen the vocation ministry itineraries and accompany the young women on their journey towards happiness and meaning.
A life that is present today
On this special day, the postulants of the formation house of the Indian Pacific Province in the Philippines wanted to share with the whole family of the Daughters of Jesus a concrete sign of this living heritage: a video where, with joy and simplicity, they show us their daily life.
In their faces, in their shared life, in their sincere search, we recognize that Antoñita’s spirit continues to beat. Her “yes” continues to be prolonged in new generations who, with courage, wish to give their all.
A path that unites us all
This testimony is in addition to others that we have been sharing and that help us to feel like a universal body, praying for one another and celebrating the diversity and richness of our initial formation:
- International Juniorate in Granada
- Juniorate in the Philippines
- Dialoguing with the Novices on the experience of the Month of Spiritual Exercises in the Dominican Republic
We pray together
We invite you to watch this video with a contemplative gaze and to unite in prayer for all the Daughters of Jesus who are in initial formation. Through the intercession of Antoñita, may the Lord sustain them in their enthusiasm, give them wisdom in study and formation and keep them always with a heart available to serve all.
May the example of Blessed Antoñita continue to inspire many young women to discover the dream that God has for their lives.
