Order of Preachers Molo Philippines

A Brief Biography
MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO, OP
Prepared by: MRAC (Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission)
Sr. Visitacion Alecto, OP – Chairperson
Sr. Virgilia Rivero, OP
Sr. Ascension Zambra, OP
Sr. Eleanor Garlito, OP

I. Birth and Childhood

The year 1884 was a period of great unrest. The Philippines was struggling to free herself from the fetters of Spanish oppression. Of proud Malayan race, the Filipinos could no longer tolerate foreign dominion. The quest for freedom continues fearlessly amidst the turmoil. A new hope was born.

On February 17, 1884, a child was born in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. She was the only daughter of a wealthy couple Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona Maria Pidal. She had four brothers. Two died in infancy. Jose the older brother was a lawyer and became a senator in 1917. Mariano the younger sibling was a physician and became the governor of Iloilo in 1928.

She was baptized at Sta. Ana Church in Molo on February 20, 1884 by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor and was named Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo. Her first teachers in morality were her parents who developed her innocent vice and childhood pranks into Christian values.

She was particularly close to her younger brother. One morning Mariano teased a Chinese passing by, “Insik bantito” the man reported the incident to Dona Maria. The man described the teaser with a long hair. Rosario was called but the Chinese indicated that she was not the one. Mariano was called and the Chinese confirmed him as the culprit. Immediately his mother told him to ask pardon and kiss the feet of the offended. The children learned from this event that respect be accorded to everyone not withstanding his status in life. They also realized that they should have humility to recognize their fault and ask pardon for it.

Early in life she learned the importance of permission. Once she gave her comb to their helper’s daughter. She was admonished and informed that she should not dispose her things without permission. That early training was to her benefit upon entering the religious life. It was easy for her to practice the vow of poverty.

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 but 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 unusual in her younger age. There was an instant 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.

Her prayer life was nurtured in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The family was given permission by the Holy See to have in their house a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. She was often seen absorbed in prayers before the Blessed Sacrament.

She would invite her neighbors’ children to pray the rosary kneeling with Rosario leading the prayers. Prayer was her way of asking God’s blessings for the family and others. On one occasion the family, except for Rosario went boating along the Guimaras island. While the family was at the middle of the sea the boat run out of gasoline. They felt at a loss. Luckily another boat came to their rescue. That very hour in their house Rosario was praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

II. Education

Mother Rosario first attended classes at the Colegio de Sta. Ana, a private school in Molo. She was transferred to Colegio de San Jose which was managed by the Daughters of Charity so she could be properly prepared for Holy communion. She stayed at the Colegio until she finished her elementary education. She was then sent to the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina, the oldest boarding school in the country in Intramuros, Manila. She learned music and was good in piano and organ the popular course for the elite of her time.

She valued little things. She would keep short pencils wrap the end with paper to lengthen it so it could be easily used again for writing.

Her two brothers were also studying at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila. Mariano would often visit and shout for her. Close as they were to each other, Rosario advised him not to do so because people might get the notion that they were lovers. She was sensitive to the Filipina unassuming decency trait.

III. Religious Life

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

At the age of 27 she entered the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sta. Catalina de Siena. After six months of postulancy, she received the religious habit and was given the name Sr. Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion . OP. She made her first 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. Sister 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 vacation to recover and her brother already a doctor took charge in caring for her. Upon here 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 elder 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 Mother Rosario. On this day her mother died. The Sisters were cautioned not to inform her. Since the death was in the news headline, 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 her 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. She was detached from material goods and getting more attached to what is spiritual.

IV. Foundation in Molo

Early in their married life, Don Ignacio and Dona Maria wanted to give part of their wealth to support a religious foundation. The Most Rev. James McCloskey, DD, the last American Bishop of Jaro, knew very well of this desire. He made proper preparation for the foundation of the Beaterio del Smo. Rosario in Molo, Iloilo City and was able to obtain the permission from the Holy See on July 24, 1925. He negotiated with the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena for Mother Rosario to pioneer the foundation. Mother Rosario and two others went to Iloilo on February 18, 1927. Mother Rosario was not designated as Superior for a very important responsibility was given her - to be the Directress of Novices. She was assigned the formation job, a task essential to the life and growth of the congregation.

Don Ignacio and Dona Maria gave up their residence in favor of the Sisters. A free school was built nearby and Mother Rosario taught in the school in addition to her formation responsibility.

She was aptly called Madre Maestra. Many homeless girls came into the door of the convent and they were taken in and cared for. Vocations trickled into the congregation.

During World War II, Mother Rosario was advised by the family, relatives and friends that it would be easier for her if she would disperse her group and send home the Sisters and girls. She refused to do so and quieted her advisers with terse words, “No, we live together and if we die we die together”.

On January 22, 1942. the Sisters evacuated to Cabatuan. They returned to their convent in Molo on April 12, 1942. Divine Providence provided them with food on those hard times.

The Sisters were forced by the Japanese to leave the Motherhouse.They converted the convent and school into their garrison. The Sisters and their ward went to the parish church of Molo, Iloilo City. On March 10, 1945 the Motherhouse was bombed and destroyed by the Americans believing that there were Japanese staying in it. The charity school was also destroyed. The Sisters felt devastated that their convent and school were reduced to rubble. Then the American soldiers began shelling the church. Some Sisters went out of the sacristy. Upon seeing them, the soldiers stopped the firing.

D.D. the successor of Bishop James McCloskey, asked Mother Rosario to let the Sisters teach in the school particularly in parishes. Sisters were sent to College to earn their teaching degrees. A group of Sisters taught in La Purissima Concepcion College in Roxas City, Capiz. Different schools in Panay were established under the leadership of Mother Rosario.

In 1953 the first General Chapter was held and Mother Rosario was elected as Superior General, the office she held till she died on June 14, 1957.

V. Life with the Sisters

Mother Rosario was a soul full of charity. Her love for her God was expressed clearly in her love for her neighbors. Her love for the poor, the needy and the sick were outstanding. She would care for the sick Sister personally. If hospitalization was needed she would call for her brother Mariano who was a physician at the St. Paul’s Hospital and would order for the best food for the sick Sister. She treated her Sisters equally.

She was patient and understanding of the human frailties. One time a novice was reported to her by her directress as sleeping during prayers. She said, “She is still young. Let her sleep.” On another occasion a Sister snoring when asleep was reported to Mother Rosario because they were disturbed of her noise. Mother Rosario said, “Do not be disturbed. She is serenading our Lord.” She was truly overbearing of human weaknesses.

As she advanced in years she also advanced in the love for poverty which could be seen in the way she used and took care of her belongings and that of the community. Her love for simple things and her detachment from material and worldly goods were obvious. She used darned and patched clothing and she had only few of them. Her observance of the vow of poverty has matured.

VI. Her Legacy

Her life is a paradox a woman of beauty, she preferred the obscurity of the convent life. A scion of affluence, she modeled the religious poverty and simple life. Her simplicity enabled her to share what she had with the poor, sometimes even giving the food prepared for her to the sick neighbors. Her devotion to the Holy Eucharist inspired her successor to have the daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration in the chapel. She loved very much the Blessed Virgin Mary that when she was not occupied with her leadership task praying the rosary became her preoccupation. Every image of the Blessed Mother received an Ave Maria every time she passed by it. She moved around the corridors with moving lips in prayer.

Her love for the Blessed Virgin was captured in a poetry written in her notebook in Spanish translated to English by Jose J. Espinosa Jr., MA, Professor in Spanish, USA, Iloilo City.

In her Will and Testament she stipulated that the different feasts of the Blessed Virgin should be celebrated with a High Mass.

Formation of the youth was a cherished nucleus in her heart. Currently our Sisters are teaching not only in the Philippines but also in America, Africa and Europe.

MOST REV. JAMES MC CLOSKEY

On July 15, 1925, Most Rev. James Mc Closkey , the last American bishop of Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines, went to Rome, Italy to personally submit to the Sacred Congregation for the Religious a petition for the foundation of a Dominican congregation in Iloilo City. The following day, he received a verbal communication to go ahead with his plans. On July 24, 1925 , he was given the official approval for the establishment of the new Dominican congregation. It was affiliated to the Order of Preachers on January 16, 1959 . It was elevated to the status of Pontifical Right on October 7, 1985 .

ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMAN

Dominic de Guzman was a man with a dream that became a reality. Born in 1170 in the village of Caleruega in the kingdom of Castile , he founded a family, the Order of Preachers, that would one day reach out and touch every part of the world.

Dominic began as a priest of the Diocese of Osma in what is now northern Spain . He was a canon (clergyman) assigned to the cathedral. His peaceful life there was suddenly disturbed by a journey into northern lands. Bishop Diego asked Dominic to accompany him on a mission from King Alfonso VII to arrange for the marriage of his son. As Dominic traveled beyond the borders of his own country, he encountered for the first time the great need of the people to hear the Word of God preached well and in a way that would respond to their spiritual longing.

Priests at that time were generally not well educated, and many of the clergy, priests, and bishops alike lived extravagant lives that were scandalous to the people. Dominic soon realized that, in order to be a credible preacher he had to be rooted in the Gospel he proclaimed.

It was not long afterwards that Dominic returned to southern France and began to gather other men who shared his dream. Even before the Order of Preachers was officially approved in 1216, Dominic had also established a community of women in Prouille who would participate in the preaching mission through dedicating their lives to prayer in community.

By the time Dominic died in 1221, the Order of Preachers was already on mission in France , Spain , Italy , England , Hungary , Poland , Greece , Germany , and Scandinavia . Four monasteries of the Dominican Sisters had been established, and plans were under way for expansion.

The Order has been in existence for 790 years. Today the Order of Preachers is worldwide and includes priests, religious brothers, contemplative nuns, and active sisters as well as thousands of lay people who have dedicated their lives to the proclamation of the Gospel. The dream of Dominic is continuing to be realized in our own time.

Important Dates to Remember

February 17, 1884 - Birth of Mother Rosario
February 20, 1884 – Baptism of Mother Rosario
January 3, 1914 – First Religious Profession of Mother Rosario
July 24, 1925 – Foundation Day
1933 – Juridical Independence from Beaterio de Sta. Catalina
1935 – Death of Don Ignacio Arroyo
1945 – Americans bombed the Motherhouse
1953 – First General Chapter Mother Rosario, OP elected Superior General
June 14, 1957 – Mother Rosario died
1957 – 2nd General Chapter Mother Natividad Vidal, OP elected Superior General
1959 – Affiliation to the Dominican Fathers
1963 – 3rd General Chapter Mother Natividad Vidal, OP reelected Superior General
1969 – 4th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP elected Superior General
1975 – 5th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP reelected Superior General
1981 – 6th General Chapter Mother Visitacion Alecto, OP elected Superior General
July 24, 1982 – Exhumation of the remains of Mother Rosario
Oct. 7, 1985 – Approval of Pontifical Status of the Congregation
1987 – 7th General Chapter Mother Visitacion Alecto, OP reelected Superior General
1993 – 8th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP elected Superior General
1999 – 9th General Chapter Mother Felicitas Macsera, OP elected Superior General
2005 – 10th General Chapter Mother Celestine Bancal, OP elected Superior General











A Brief Biography MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO, OP Prepared by: MRAC (Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission) Sr. Visitacion Alecto, OP – Chairperson Sr. Virgilia Rivero, OP Sr. Ascension Zambra, OP Sr. Eleanor Garlito, OP I. Birth and Childhood The year 1884 was a period of great unrest. The Philippines was struggling to free herself from the fetters of Spanish oppression. Of proud Malayan race, the Filipinos could no longer tolerate foreign dominion. The quest for freedom continues fearlessly amidst the turmoil. A new hope was born. On February 17, 1884, a child was born in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. She was the only daughter of a wealthy couple Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona Maria Pidal. She had four brothers. Two died in infancy. Jose the older brother was a lawyer and became a senator in 1917. Mariano the younger sibling was a physician and became the governor of Iloilo in 1928. She was baptized at Sta. Ana Church in Molo on February 20, 1884 by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor and was named Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo. Her first teachers in morality were her parents who developed her innocent vice and childhood pranks into Christian values. She was particularly close to her younger brother. One morning Mariano teased a Chinese passing by, “Insik bantito” the man reported the incident to Dona Maria. The man described the teaser with a long hair. Rosario was called but the Chinese indicated that she was not the one. Mariano was called and the Chinese confirmed him as the culprit. Immediately his mother told him to ask pardon and kiss the feet of the offended. The children learned from this event that respect be accorded to everyone not withstanding his status in life. They also realized that they should have humility to recognize their fault and ask pardon for it. Early in life she learned the importance of permission. Once she gave her comb to their helper’s daughter. She was admonished and informed that she should not dispose her things without permission. That early training was to her benefit upon entering the religious life. It was easy for her to practice the vow of poverty. 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 but 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 unusual in her younger age. There was an instant 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. Her prayer life was nurtured in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The family was given permission by the Holy See to have in their house a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. She was often seen absorbed in prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. She would invite her neighbors’ children to pray the rosary kneeling with Rosario leading the prayers. Prayer was her way of asking God’s blessings for the family and others. On one occasion the family, except for Rosario went boating along the Guimaras island. While the family was at the middle of the sea the boat run out of gasoline. They felt at a loss. Luckily another boat came to their rescue. That very hour in their house Rosario was praying before the Blessed Sacrament. II. Education Mother Rosario first attended classes at the Colegio de Sta. Ana, a private school in Molo. She was transferred to Colegio de San Jose which was managed by the Daughters of Charity so she could be properly prepared for Holy communion. She stayed at the Colegio until she finished her elementary education. She was then sent to the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina, the oldest boarding school in the country in Intramuros, Manila. She learned music and was good in piano and organ the popular course for the elite of her time. She valued little things. She would keep short pencils wrap the end with paper to lengthen it so it could be easily used again for writing. Her two brothers were also studying at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila. Mariano would often visit and shout for her. Close as they were to each other, Rosario advised him not to do so because people might get the notion that they were lovers. She was sensitive to the Filipina unassuming decency trait. III. Religious Life She bloomed into a beautiful lady. She had many admirers and suitors but felt marriage was not for her. At the age of 27 she entered the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sta. Catalina de Siena. After six months of postulancy, she received the religious habit and was given the name Sr. Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion . OP. She made her first 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. Sister 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 vacation to recover and her brother already a doctor took charge in caring for her. Upon here 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 elder 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 Mother Rosario. On this day her mother died. The Sisters were cautioned not to inform her. Since the death was in the news headline, 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 her 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. She was detached from material goods and getting more attached to what is spiritual. IV. Foundation in Molo Early in their married life, Don Ignacio and Dona Maria wanted to give part of their wealth to support a religious foundation. The Most Rev. James McCloskey, DD, the last American Bishop of Jaro, knew very well of this desire. He made proper preparation for the foundation of the Beaterio del Smo. Rosario in Molo, Iloilo City and was able to obtain the permission from the Holy See on July 24, 1925. He negotiated with the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena for Mother Rosario to pioneer the foundation. Mother Rosario and two others went to Iloilo on February 18, 1927. Mother Rosario was not designated as Superior for a very important responsibility was given her - to be the Directress of Novices. She was assigned the formation job, a task essential to the life and growth of the congregation. Don Ignacio and Dona Maria gave up their residence in favor of the Sisters. A free school was built nearby and Mother Rosario taught in the school in addition to her formation responsibility. She was aptly called Madre Maestra. Many homeless girls came into the door of the convent and they were taken in and cared for. Vocations trickled into the congregation. During World War II, Mother Rosario was advised by the family, relatives and friends that it would be easier for her if she would disperse her group and send home the Sisters and girls. She refused to do so and quieted her advisers with terse words, “No, we live together and if we die we die together”. On January 22, 1942. the Sisters evacuated to Cabatuan. They returned to their convent in Molo on April 12, 1942. Divine Providence provided them with food on those hard times. The Sisters were forced by the Japanese to leave the Motherhouse.They converted the convent and school into their garrison. The Sisters and their ward went to the parish church of Molo, Iloilo City. On March 10, 1945 the Motherhouse was bombed and destroyed by the Americans believing that there were Japanese staying in it. The charity school was also destroyed. The Sisters felt devastated that their convent and school were reduced to rubble. Then the American soldiers began shelling the church. Some Sisters went out of the sacristy. Upon seeing them, the soldiers stopped the firing. D.D. the successor of Bishop James McCloskey, asked Mother Rosario to let the Sisters teach in the school particularly in parishes. Sisters were sent to College to earn their teaching degrees. A group of Sisters taught in La Purissima Concepcion College in Roxas City, Capiz. Different schools in Panay were established under the leadership of Mother Rosario. In 1953 the first General Chapter was held and Mother Rosario was elected as Superior General, the office she held till she died on June 14, 1957. V. Life with the Sisters Mother Rosario was a soul full of charity. Her love for her God was expressed clearly in her love for her neighbors. Her love for the poor, the needy and the sick were outstanding. She would care for the sick Sister personally. If hospitalization was needed she would call for her brother Mariano who was a physician at the St. Paul’s Hospital and would order for the best food for the sick Sister. She treated her Sisters equally. She was patient and understanding of the human frailties. One time a novice was reported to her by her directress as sleeping during prayers. She said, “She is still young. Let her sleep.” On another occasion a Sister snoring when asleep was reported to Mother Rosario because they were disturbed of her noise. Mother Rosario said, “Do not be disturbed. She is serenading our Lord.” She was truly overbearing of human weaknesses. As she advanced in years she also advanced in the love for poverty which could be seen in the way she used and took care of her belongings and that of the community. Her love for simple things and her detachment from material and worldly goods were obvious. She used darned and patched clothing and she had only few of them. Her observance of the vow of poverty has matured. VI. Her Legacy Her life is a paradox a woman of beauty, she preferred the obscurity of the convent life. A scion of affluence, she modeled the religious poverty and simple life. Her simplicity enabled her to share what she had with the poor, sometimes even giving the food prepared for her to the sick neighbors. Her devotion to the Holy Eucharist inspired her successor to have the daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration in the chapel. She loved very much the Blessed Virgin Mary that when she was not occupied with her leadership task praying the rosary became her preoccupation. Every image of the Blessed Mother received an Ave Maria every time she passed by it. She moved around the corridors with moving lips in prayer. Her love for the Blessed Virgin was captured in a poetry written in her notebook in Spanish translated to English by Jose J. Espinosa Jr., MA, Professor in Spanish, USA, Iloilo City. In her Will and Testament she stipulated that the different feasts of the Blessed Virgin should be celebrated with a High Mass. Formation of the youth was a cherished nucleus in her heart. Currently our Sisters are teaching not only in the Philippines but also in America, Africa and Europe. MOST REV. JAMES MC CLOSKEY On July 15, 1925, Most Rev. James Mc Closkey , the last American bishop of Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines, went to Rome, Italy to personally submit to the Sacred Congregation for the Religious a petition for the foundation of a Dominican congregation in Iloilo City. The following day, he received a verbal communication to go ahead with his plans. On July 24, 1925 , he was given the official approval for the establishment of the new Dominican congregation. It was affiliated to the Order of Preachers on January 16, 1959 . It was elevated to the status of Pontifical Right on October 7, 1985 . ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMAN Dominic de Guzman was a man with a dream that became a reality. Born in 1170 in the village of Caleruega in the kingdom of Castile , he founded a family, the Order of Preachers, that would one day reach out and touch every part of the world. Dominic began as a priest of the Diocese of Osma in what is now northern Spain . He was a canon (clergyman) assigned to the cathedral. His peaceful life there was suddenly disturbed by a journey into northern lands. Bishop Diego asked Dominic to accompany him on a mission from King Alfonso VII to arrange for the marriage of his son. As Dominic traveled beyond the borders of his own country, he encountered for the first time the great need of the people to hear the Word of God preached well and in a way that would respond to their spiritual longing. Priests at that time were generally not well educated, and many of the clergy, priests, and bishops alike lived extravagant lives that were scandalous to the people. Dominic soon realized that, in order to be a credible preacher he had to be rooted in the Gospel he proclaimed. It was not long afterwards that Dominic returned to southern France and began to gather other men who shared his dream. Even before the Order of Preachers was officially approved in 1216, Dominic had also established a community of women in Prouille who would participate in the preaching mission through dedicating their lives to prayer in community. By the time Dominic died in 1221, the Order of Preachers was already on mission in France , Spain , Italy , England , Hungary , Poland , Greece , Germany , and Scandinavia . Four monasteries of the Dominican Sisters had been established, and plans were under way for expansion. The Order has been in existence for 790 years. Today the Order of Preachers is worldwide and includes priests, religious brothers, contemplative nuns, and active sisters as well as thousands of lay people who have dedicated their lives to the proclamation of the Gospel. The dream of Dominic is continuing to be realized in our own time. Important Dates to Remember February 17, 1884 - Birth of Mother Rosario February 20, 1884 – Baptism of Mother Rosario January 3, 1914 – First Religious Profession of Mother Rosario July 24, 1925 – Foundation Day 1933 – Juridical Independence from Beaterio de Sta. Catalina 1935 – Death of Don Ignacio Arroyo 1945 – Americans bombed the Motherhouse 1953 – First General Chapter Mother Rosario, OP elected Superior General June 14, 1957 – Mother Rosario died 1957 – 2nd General Chapter Mother Natividad Vidal, OP elected Superior General 1959 – Affiliation to the Dominican Fathers 1963 – 3rd General Chapter Mother Natividad Vidal, OP reelected Superior General 1969 – 4th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP elected Superior General 1975 – 5th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP reelected Superior General 1981 – 6th General Chapter Mother Visitacion Alecto, OP elected Superior General July 24, 1982 – Exhumation of the remains of Mother Rosario Oct. 7, 1985 – Approval of Pontifical Status of the Congregation 1987 – 7th General Chapter Mother Visitacion Alecto, OP reelected Superior General 1993 – 8th General Chapter Mother Amparo Elmido, OP elected Superior General 1999 – 9th General Chapter Mother Felicitas Macsera, OP elected Superior General 2005 – 10th General Chapter Mother Celestine Bancal, OP elected Superior General
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