THE MOTHER ROSARIO BULLETIN 2
This is the second issue of the Bulletin. The Commission decided to start in this issue the dissemination of the virtues of Mother Rosario. Does she possess heroic virtues worthy to include her in the rostrum of the blessed? If so what are these virtues and how did she attain to them?In this issue also we will continue to open to the public the petition sent and the petition granted in the space provided for this purpose.
Letters received regarding the life of Mother Rosario by her friends acquaintances and students will be reproduced. We are deeply grateful if you could send us letters that are properly signed.
I know Mother Rosario has many friends who love her and only be too glad to help in her beatification. Feel free to send your petition to the Mother Rosario Commission (MRAC).
ORATORIUM
The beatification of Mother Rosario is a very significant event in the congregation. In fact this project has passed two General Chapters of the Congregation that have been held since 1999 to the present. It is not only a blessing to the congregation to have a Foundress elevated to the sainthood but this is also an expression of gratitude to God and to her parents who generously offered their wealth so the congregation would exist and would be sanctified. The small oratorium is constructed to house the remains of Mother Rosario. Everyone is invited to visit the place.
Journey of MRAC
Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission
The MRAC journey continues.We had Triduum Prayers in the Motherhouse from July 22 – 24, 2008 in preparation for the Foundation Day of the Congregation. July 24, 2008 was the 83rd Foundation Day. There was symposium in the morning with the theme: Digging our Treasure and Renewing our Charism. Mother Celestine Bancal, OP was the main speaker and Sisters Virgilia Rivero, OP and Serafica Tolentino, OP were the reactors. The talk focused on the life and virtues of Mother Rosario, OP. The symposium deepened our knowledge of the life of Mother Rosario and made us appreciate her virtues. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo officiated the Eucharistic Celebration at 11:00 A.M. It was attended by friends and benefactors, the Sisters, the Dominican Laity, the members of the St. Martin De Porres Guild and the students of Holy Rosary Academy, Molo. In his homily the Archbishop emphasized on how to make use of the gifts that God has given us. God has entrusted to us talents to be developed . Mother Rosario has done her best. We too have to do our part. Before the end of the Mass the Archbishop said the prayers for Mother Rosario with great enthusiasm.
The English prayer for Mother Rosario was translated into Pilipino, Ilongo and Cebuano for better understanding of our brothers and sisters speaking the stated dialects. It will be out of the press soon.
August 8 is the feast of St. Dominic, the inspirer of Mother Rosario. The members of the Commission: Sr. Visitacion Alecto, OP, Sr. Virgilia Rivero, OP, Sr. Eleanor Garlito, OP, Sr. Ascension Zambra, OP greet you all A HAPPY ST. DOMINIC’S DAY.
Please send us your testimony about the life and virtues of Mother Rosario. Write your name, address and tel. number. In case of healing please state 1) symptoms of the disease 2) diagnosis of the doctor, 3) medical intervention 4) development of the illness 5) cite if cure is immediate or sudden.
THANK YOU.
The Biography of Mother Rosario Arroyo, OPl. Birth and Childhood
Mother Rosario Arroyo was a scion of affluence. The only daughter of a wealthy couple, Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona Maria Pidal, was born on February 17, 1884, at their residence in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. She had four brothers. Two died in infancy. Of the two brothers who survived Jose Gregorio P. Arroyo entered politics and became a senator and the youngest brother Mariano P. Arroyo, a physician. The father Don Ignacio Arroyo finished his Bachelor of Arts at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and his course in Law with satisfactory rating at the University of Santo Tomas.
Mother Rosario was baptized at Sta. Ana Church in Molo parish on February 20, 1884 three days after her birth by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor and was named Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo. Her first teachers in spirituality were her parents who developed her innocent vice and childhood pranks into values.
Noteworthy tradition of her family was almsgiving. Rosario participated in this corporal work of mercy. This made her aware of the misery and plight of the poor and she helped many of them.
The greatest obstacle to her piety could have been their affluent standard of living. With this wealth, she could have lived the life of a vain princess. She lived without superfluity. Unspoiled by the abundance surrounding her, she lived a simple life. When she became an heiress, she donated her inheritance to the congregation.
Her detachment might be considered abnormal in her younger age. There was an instance when Don Ignacio gave leave to his children to get as much money as they could on the table. Jose and Mariano outran each other and collected as much as they could. Rosario settled with what was left without complaint.
OCTOBER 7, 2008
8:00 A.M. Mass: Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo
TRANSFER OF REMAINS OF MOTHER ROSARIO TO THE CHAPEL. All Sisters must be in the Motherhouse
LIFE AND VIRTUES OF MOTHER ROSARIO
1. Perfect Observance of the Vow of Poverty
Mother Rosario was initiated in the practice of the vow of poverty at an early age. She was trained to give preferential option to the poor in many ways.
When Mariano her brother was made to kiss the feet of the Chinese, this act instilled in Mother Rosario's mind and developed in her heart a disdain for honor, a love for humility, and a respect for the poor.
When she was a student in Manila she made use of small pencils she found by adding to their length a piece of paper so they could be used for writing.
Just like the Blessed Virgin Mary, she kept all these things in her heart. If the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and only the violent can bear it away, Mother Rosario's generosity and detachment to earthly possessions enabled her to steal heaven with violence.
When she was asked to dispatch the Sisters during the war so she could be well taken care of, she vehemently refused preferring to live with the Sisters in poverty and discomfort.
When she was terminally ill, she could have asked to be treated outside of the country, but she did not. Her last will and testament testified to her heroic observance of the vow of poverty. She only had the congregation as her sole heir. She had not reserved any provision for her burial or for whatever she personally needed. Perfect observance of the vow of poverty characterizes Mother Rosario Arroyo.
TESTIMONIES:
1. Ruth Villanueva, OP
Dominican Sister of MoloIt was in 1953 when I first visited the Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse with the intention of becoming a Sister. I had just graduated from the elementary grade. I thought I would be accepted because my auntie was the superior in the Motherhouse that time but I was not. However, I stayed for one and a half years with the Dominican Sisters. It was those years that I had a golden opportunity to meet Mother Sayong. ( as she was commonly called) I used to pray the rosary in Spanish with her. I saw her clothes full of patches. She preferred to wear her old habits.. She always talked of being humble. She did not like special treatment. Even when she was sick she insisted on her regular diet. She loved vegetables. I used to cook for her. I felt humbled by this experience.
2. Zenaida Layson – 64 yrs. Old
Avancena Steet, MoloWhen I was small, our house was very near the convent of the Dominican Sisters. They had a school, Holy Rosary Academy near the church and I studied there. I used to attend mass at their chapel and Mother Rosario would gather us all children to attend catechism. Mother Sayong was very charitable to all the children like me especially for poor families that are living at Barrio So-oc, Molo. We prayed the rosary with Mother Rosario. She did not allow us to talk loud inside the church. She taught us to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. (Interviewed by: Sr. Milagros Sustituido, OP)
3. BY: Sr. Soledad Pesayco, OP
Dominican Sister of MoloI was 32 years old when I entered the convent. At that time Mother Rosario was the superior. Mo. Rosario preferred applicants who were poor and humble. She was very charitable and generous to the poor. She was very much concerned of the health of her sisters. She always emphasized the true meaning of the vows. She made good use of everything. Every time the poor asked for alms she gave immediately without hesitation. She was very strict especially regarding times for prayer.
Petition Prayers
1. Through the Prayers of Mother Rosario I ask for :
a. The healing of Arianne Faye Abellar of her brain tumor and seizures
Name: ARNOLD S. ABELLAR
Address: Brgy. Alegre, Oton, Iloilo City
Telephone: 09276963219
2. Through the Prayers of Mother Rosario,
a. Safety guidance and complete cure of my cancer.
Name: AURELIO CARBON JR.
Address: Brgy. Pob. Rizal Ilaud, Calinog, Iloilo
Telephone: 347-12-01
3. Through the Prayers of Mother Rosario,
a. For healing of my breast cancer.
Name: Merlin Mones
Semong, Kapalong
Davao del Norte
4. Through the Prayers of Mother Rosario,
a. Healing of my endometriosis so that I may be able to bear a child.
Name: LYN BINAS
Address: Molo, Iloilo City
5. Through the Prayers of Mother Rosario,
a. Healing of Armando Galuno of his Hepatitis-B.
Name: BETH, RITCHIE BELICENA & FAMILY
6. For healing of my thyroid cancer and full recovery of my Health
MILAGROS HOJILLA
St. Nino, Dumalag
Capiz
7. For immediate recovery of my heart ailment
LUCY APOLOGISTA
WSVU, Calinog Campus
Calinog, Iloilo
For favors granted please write to:
Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission (MRAC)
Dominican Sisters Motherhouse
Molo, Iloilo City , Philippines
Email: Mracop@yahoo.com
Tel.: 337-9820
CP.: 09284134592