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BIOGRAPHY OF MOTHER ROSARIO
(continued)

III. Religious Life

Rosario bloomed into a beautiful lady. She had many admirers and suitors but Rosario felt that marriage was not for her.

At the age of 27 she entered the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sta. Catalina de Siena. She received the religious habit and was given the name Sr. Ma. Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, OP. She made her profession on January 3, 1914.

Sister Rosario was assigned to work and teach in Colegio de la Nuestra Senora del Sto. Rosario, Lingayen, Pangasinan. It was in this place that she became sickly. Knowing about her poor health, her parents visited her in Lingayen. Sr. Rosario told them that the cause of her sickness was the direct blowing of the wind through the broken windows of the convent and school. Don Ignacio had the building fixed immediately.

Sr. Rosario went home for a vacation to recover and her brother, Mariano already a doctor, took charge in caring for her. Upon recovery she went back to the convent. She got another assignment. She would be in a convent school in Manila . Her task was to be in charge of the interns boarding in the convent school and at the same time a teacher. She did her work with enthusiasm.

Jose her older brother became a senator. Usually he would visit her before going home to Iloilo and would bring her letters to their parents. One day, he went home without informing Sr. Rosario. On this day her mother died. The Sisters were cautioned not to inform her. Since the death was in the news headlines, newspapers were kept. Days later when Jose came back to Manila did she know of the demise of her mother. She accepted the death of her mother with equanimity. She believed her mother had a happy death, knowing full well that she was a very pious woman.

Don Ignacio asked her to spend a vacation in Iloilo . To console her father in the absence of her mother she acceded. Her father was happy to have her around. He even pleaded with her to stay with him but this fell unheeded. On her return to the convent, she was told to get as much money as she needed but Rosario refrained from taking any amount. It was obvious that she was detached from earthly goods. Heaven was her treasure.

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.

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LIFE AND VIRTUES OF MOTHER ROSARIO

1. Perfect Observance of the Vow of Poverty
(continued)

After a comprehensive research and assiduous study I can dare say that Mother Rosario is an epitome of a saintly Religious Sister considering all her virtues. It is her practice of the vow of poverty that stands out. Since her childhood days under the spiritual guidance of her parents she has mastered the art of loving her neighbors with preferential love for the poor.

As she grew into womanhood, she has developed her love for poverty by her doing it personally as her will and heart dictates; of course under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As she became a religious sister for more than four decades, in her life as ordinary sister, mistress of novices, superior of the house and Superior General of the congregation she has lived the vows especially the vow of poverty as zealously as she could. After her death it was discovered that in the inventory of her clothing starting 1935 as written in her notebook she had : 2 habitos; 2 escapularios ; 3 camisas ; 2 tocas; 2 bendicos. Most of these were worn out and became only usable after a series of darning and patching. Her life of poverty was exemplary.

A selfless life reaps an eternal harvest.

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we shall
reap if we do not lose heart. ( Gal 6:9)

Faithfulness is God's requirement;
Fruitfulness is His reward.

To lead others out of the darkness of sin,
let them see the light of Christ in your life. (Mt. 5:14)

TRANSFER OF REMAINS OF
MOTHER ROSARIO, OP

October 7, 2008 - Feast of the Holy Rosary
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo. D.D.
8:00 A.M.- Eucharistic Celebration

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PETITION PRAYERS
Through the prayers of Mother Rosario I ask for:

1. the total healing of Zenaida A. Juanillo from her body and kidney desease.
Name: Ronilo V. Juanillo
Address: Maj. Andot Alba St. Banica
R.C. (522-4505)

2. for the succesfull operation of my left eye.
Name: Mary Ann Hambre
Address: Sto.Nino Subd. Cagbang,
Oton (337-3621)

3. for the successful operation of breast cancer of my daughter.
Name: Florentina Yu
Address: Lapaz, Iloilo City

4. for my recovery after a heart attack.
Name: Reynaldo Puel
Address: San Miguel, Pasig City (6402138)

5. the recovery of my husband Willie from cancer
Name: Mrs. Cecilia Ong
Address: Bgy, Maquina Dumangas(09202664251)
Dumangas(09202664251)

6. gift of a child and good health
Name: Amelia C. Casalmer
Address: 185 Rizal Ilawod,
Calinog, Iloilo (347-1867)

8. healing of Gene Garingalao
Name: Alice Garingalao
Address: Arevalo, LC.
CP. 09173025988

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TESTIMONY:

By; Mrs. Trinidad Segovia Pasaporte
Born 1931
Retired College Instructor USA , Iloilo
President, St. Martin de Porres Guild

I thank the Lord for the opportunity and the privilege to have known and met in person, "Madre Sayong" the foundress of the Dominican Sisters in Molo some six and a half decades ago, as a pre-schooler at the Beaterio de Molo.

The years 1935-1936, 1 attended pre-school class offered at the Dominican Sisters' Motherhouse. We were taught the ABC and prayers both in llonggo and in Spanish. As far as I can remember, my teachers were Sor Asuncion and Sor Bernardita. During recess, a beautiful nun usually came walking around the school grounds to watch the children at play. She was "Madre Sayong". As soon as we saw her we would start running towards her and flock around her, not only to greet her "buenos dias" but most especially to kiss her hand and get a pat on the head in return, or even touch and cling to her immaculately starched white habit , to get a closer look at her beautiful countenance, expressive eyes, and to hear her gentle voice as she at times would gather us around to tell us biblical stories or ,listen to us recite prayers we have learned. To me she was the Sister with a most distinctly beautiful countenance, with gentle and sweet voice graceful gait and refined with an ever friendly smile.

My brief schooling at the Beaterio ended with my entrance to elementary school. Nevertheless , because our family residence is near the Dominican Motherhouse, our keeping in touch with the Sisters continued. We atended masses in their chapel, were present in many of their religious activities and celebrations, fiesta or profession of new groups of Sisters, since those times and even up to now.

The beautiful countenance of Madre Sayong which impressed me as a pre-schooler has become meaningful to me now. That beautiful face windowed her soul. Her inner self is reflected in her face in her life and her works. Her strong faith, deep spirituality, missionary zeal, commitment, courage, and prayerful life are her virtues for us to emulate congregation.

We thank God Almighty for giving us Madre Sayong. May the congregation Mother Sayong founded continue to bear more fruits and bountiful harvest.

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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