Big day at the Manresa Retreat House Compound
December 8, 2017, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and the 146th year of the foundation of the Congregation of the Hijas de Jesus was marked with joyful celebrations at Manresa compound: the Golden Jubilee of Sisters Maricel Gorriceta, Josefa Palmares and Filomena Legaspi and the Diamond Jubilee of Sisters Milagros Parcon, Lucia Cenal and Ramona Dureza held in one Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Edwin Castillo, S.J..
Relatives and friends from faraway places, and sisters from other houses and communities, Alumnae of Nazareth School and Hijas de Jesus schools came to witness and participate in the event. It was truly a joyful celebration of the faithfulness, love, mercy and compassion of God, our loving Father, especially for these sisters as was highlighted in the introduction and in the homily as well. A delightful reception followed at the Refectory of the retreat house which was fittingly decorated for the joyous event.
Blessing of the newly renovated Inmaculada hall
In the afternoon of the same day, Rev. Fr. Ignacio Marin, a Comboni Missionary blessed the new Inmaculada Hall, so fittingly blessed on the day of its nominal feast, the holy day of Mary Immaculate. The construction workers, together with the Sisters in the compound and some guests were present during the blessing. After this, the workers were treated to a Merienda Cena as a tribute for the hard work and dedication to finish the hall in preparation for the International Encounter of the Lay which will be held in January, 2018.
Mil Albricias”—still echoes at Manresa Compound
On the eve of the feast, at 11:00 A.M., the sisters, including sisters from the formation house of the Oriental Asia gathered at the interior garden of Tahanan Candida Maria de Jesus for the fervent yet joyful praying of the Holy Rosary and solemn Angelus which ended with singing of the Mil Albricias, a long held tradition of the Hijas de Jesus all over the world. It was highlighted by the ringing of bells and shouts of “Vivas” as “Mil Albricias” was being sung. The occasion was marked with a familial atmosphere of great love and devotion to Mary Immaculate, which our Mother Foundress handed down to her children.
