With trust in Mary – Province FIL

Manila (Philippines). On 29 June 2021, at the Chapel of Don Bosco School in Manila, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from the Province of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello of the Philippines and Papua New Guinea (FIL) expressed their gratitude to the Provincial Sr. Mabel Pilar and welcomed Sr. Teresita Padron, 8^th Provincial in the animation and government service of the Province.

The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, who with their life and ministry manifested the presence and fidelity of God in the Church, marked the entry of the new Provincial, the Provincial Council, and the Animators of local communities, nourishing the certainty that the Holy Spirit continues to lead the Province towards the realization of God’s plans.

The FMA Communities of Manila and the Provincial Council were present at the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Vicar of Taytay, Palawan. The animators of local communities, the FMA, and the members of the Educating Communities participated through the live streaming on the Facebook page of the Province.

At the beginning of the celebration, Sister Mabel expressed her gratitude for the experience of service lived and handed Sister Teresita the icon of Mary, the Shepherdess, encouraging her to have faith in Our Lady, who is the only Superior of the FMA Communities, learning from her to accompany the Province Educating Community with discretion and concern, and to build together generative communities in contemporaneity.

In his homily, Bishop Pabillo emphasized God’s promise of eternal presence and protection to the Church and to those who work for the Kingdom. Following the example of St. John Bosco, he encouraged the assembly to be faithful to the Church, despite the difficulties of life. He concluded with the wish to Sr. Teresita, the Provincial Council and the Community Animators to always follow the teachings of the Church in their decisions and choices.

With a symbolic gesture, Sr. Teresita, the Provincial Council and the Community Animators offered lighted candles at the foot of the icon of Mary, entrusting her with the total gift of self in the service of animation and government.

Mr. Walter San Diego, President of the Provincial Educating Community, in live streaming from the Saint Joseph Worker Community of Mabalacat Pampanga, on behalf of all, expressed words of welcome to Sister Teresita and the commitment to support the educational initiatives of the Province.  The representatives of the various areas gave flowers, which the Provincial placed at the foot of the icon, asking Mary that this journey together bear fruits of charity, service and holiness.

Sr. Teresita addressed her first message giving witness to the tangible presence, guidance, and help of God in her life and her trust in Him and in the accompaniment of Mary for the new mandate. She also expressed gratitude to those who will be with her on her journey and urged them to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, to welcome the grace and gifts of God for each one. She encouraged us to grow in love and devotion to Mary, to entrust ourselves to her, and to build relationships with her that transform communities into fertile lands in which life grows and vocations are born.