Order of Preachers Molo Philippines

THE MOTHER ROSARIO BULLETIN 18

EDITORIAL

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7, 2009, we wish to thank the Mother of God for the wonderful favors she bestowed to the Dominican Order , and particularly to our Congregation , the Dominican Sisters of the Most holy Rosary of the Philippines. This date is the opening of the Diocesan Process of the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Molo.

We consider this favor as a gift granted by God through the Queen of the Holy Rosary. Indeed the rosary works wonders, many miracles have been told, many conversions have happened. Those who pray the rosary benefit from its miracles.

In the rosary we contemplate the overwhelming tenderness of Jesus. It is best that wherever you go, whatever you do alone or with others pray the rosary . Introduce it to your family because like the chain that connects the beads the rosary unites the family that prays together.

Let the rosary make your day.

The Formal Launching of the Diocesan Process for the Canonization of Mother Rosario

In the morning of October 7, 2009, a great historical event took its initial step in the historic church of St. Anne , in Molo, Iloilo City . The beautiful ancient church deserved this special honor. It was in this holy place that Mother Rosario was baptized and where she and her small community of religious Sisters took refuge when their convent was bomb during the World War II.

Now more than a half century later, this church dedicated in honor of St. Anne is brought to the limelight. Hours before the start of the ceremony the church was packed to capacity. Religious Sisters from different Congregations, students and teachers from the Congregation's schools, lay Dominicans, devoted friends of Mother Rosario and people from all walks of life were there. The family of Mother Rosario from several generations down , would certainly not want to miss the occasion. Accompanied by no less than Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the family was led by the first Gentleman, Mr. Jose Miguel Arroyo, a grandnephew of Mother Rosario. The church hierarchy was represented by an assembly of six bishops led by the Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo of the Archdiocese of Jaro. Representing the Archdiocese of Capiz was Archbishop Onesimo Gordoncillo, D.D.; of Palo, Leyte was Archbishop Jose Palma; from the Diocese ofAntique, Tagum and Mati were Bishop Romeo Lazo, Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz and Bishop Patricio Alo, respectively.

A white-clad throng of 89 priests came from various parishes even as far as Mindanao and Manila. Government officials graced the occasion as well. The knights of Columbus in full regalia lined the aisles. Selected faculty and staff from various Congregational schools served as Usherettes as the guests started pouring in. Not to be outshone was the magnificent choir of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo that lent an air of heavenly music to the whole ceremony and liturgy from start to finish.

Essential to the launching ceremony was the presence of the :

• Tribunal, led by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, D.D. Archbishop of Jaro, as Judge: Msgr. Higinio Velarde, VG, PA as Judge Delegate; Father John de Castro, OSJ as Promoter of Justice; Fr. Carlo Noquez, JCB as Acting Notary; and Sr. Ma. Thaddeus Magtoles, OP as Actual Notary.

• Theological Commission: Rev. Fr. Rey Zerrudo, Msgr. Jose Ma. Delgado

• Historical Commission: Rev. Fr. Alejandro Esperancilla, Sr. Ma. Visitacion Alecto, OP, Atty. Rex. Salvilla

• Postulator: Rev. Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR

The Postulator introduced the Cause by reading the biography of Mother Rosario followed by his request for the Judge of the Tribunal to officially declare open the Diocesan Inquiry of the Cause of Canonization. The chancellor read the 'NIHIL OBSTAT"

The Judge, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo announced the appointment of the members of the Tribunal after which each one swore to execute his/her office including the Judge, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo. The Postulator presented to the Judge the list of witnesses to be interrogated . Finally, the much-awaited pronouncement by the Judge: "By virtue of the power bestowed on me and those present, I DECLARE THE PROCESS FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONIZATION OF MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO DE LA VISITACION OPEN"

Some Reflections / Comments on the launching Ceremony

• The ceremony was touching. I felt I was in the Vatican in the midst of priests and nuns with a beautiful choir. (Menchu)

• I don't know why I was crying. But my tears were just flowing like a fountain. And even now, when I wake up in flowing the morning the scene comes back to my mind. ( Lourdes )

• I just had an eye operation but I wanted to witness the ceremony. The church was so quiet and the ceremony solemn that although I cannot see what was going on in the altar yet I could hear everything very clearly. (Trining)

• I felt it a great honor that I was involved in the readings during the mass. There was good participation of the audience and I noticed that the students can memorize the prayer for Mother Rosario ( Bert)

• The church was so clean. The ceremony was solemn, and orderly. I am glad I came. (Cerra)

• "The celebration was neat. The church was so beautiful that it contributed to a meaningful celebration The best so far.''

• I am already old and I can't stand sitting fora long time but this time I did not wen know that the ceremony was already about three hours long. I did not feel tired nor hungry. I enjoyed every bit of it. (Cecil )

• It was so solemn and worth remembering and treasuring.

• It contributed to a change in some people's attitude: Oct. 7 miracle!!

Many thanks to all the Chairpersons and Members of the Mother Rosario Beatification Committees. Our loving God through Mother Rosario will reward all our efforts.

As you give, so shall you receive. Contribute more (of your time, your talent) and you will receive more.

THE MRAC JOURNEY
(Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission)

When Sister Visit and her three members took over the work of the MRAC, she initiated the work by spreading the life and virtues of Mother Rosario through the monthly MRAC BULLETIN , RADIO BROADCAST at the Bombo Radyo and DYRI, the TELEVISIONS at the ABS-CBN and SKYCABLE. The interview was also done at the CHURCH ALIVE and ONCE UPON A SAINT program hosted by Mr Bernard Canaberal at the ABS-CBN. The brief biography of Mother Rosario was published at the Local Newspaper as: The Panay News, News Today and the Candle Light. The prayer leaflets, biography pamphlet and Komiks of the Little Star of Jesus were printed and distributed to the Sisters, the Dominican laity and the students for them to know more of Mother Rosario.

Committees were formed and made to function upon receipt of the news that the opening of the Diocesan Process of the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God, Mother Rosario de la Visitacion will be on October 7, 2009, at the St. Anne Church, Molo, Iloilo City where Mother Rosario was baptized.

The ceremony was solemn. The church was filled to capacity. Among the guests were her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the first Gentleman, Mr. Jose Miguel Arroyo and the Arroyo family from Manila , Bacolod and Mindanao . The beautiful choir from the University of San Agustin added to the grand celebration. It was a wonderful, memorable celebration and the beginning of a still longer journey for the MRAC. Nevertheless, let us make this tedious journey a joyful one. Let us enjoy every bit of the work waiting ahead of us. Let us pray that all our efforts will soon bear fruit – the Canonization of the Servant of God , Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion

LIFE AND VIRTUES OF MOTHER ROSARIO

Just like the many Saints, Mother Rosario had a great devotion to the rosary. This is because the mysteries of the rosary are a complete story of the life of Jesus... from His birth to His ascension to heaven. Hold a rosary, meditate it well and you have a bible in your hands. Mother Rosario had prayed the rosary from her childhood to her death. In fact she had influenced many people to do the same.

Her meditation on the life of Christ through the rosary led her to love the poor and to be compassionate towards the sick and the oppressed.

The world has now become very materialistic. leading the people to frantic search for pleasure and money, of egoism, of pride and impurity. Obscenity and immorality are flooding everywhere especially through the press and television. The souls of our people are being corrupted.

"Ordinariness is tangible holiness". Mother Rosario showed this in her compassion, justice, love and care for others. She did all these virtues in a very heroic manner that really made her worthy to be a Saint.

For favors granted please write to: