Called to Praise, Bless and Preach the Love of Jesus Christ

We, the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, are channels of faith and bearers of truth. Inspired by the charism of our founders, and our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, we live the Trinitarian love as we share the fruits of our contemplation.

Following closely our Lord Jesus Christ, who is poor, chaste and obedient, we strive to witness the compassionate love of the Triune God with the simplicity and joy of our Holy Father St. Dominic and our beloved Mother Rosario Arroyo.

With fervent love for our Blessed Mother, especially her rosary and through contemplation, community life, and study we commit ourselves to the evangelizing mission of the Church.

FORMAL LAUNCHING OF THE DIOCESAN PROCESS FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONIZATION OF MOTHER ROSARIO

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What could be a better or more beautiful day on which to start the process of working for the canonization of the foundress of the Congregation than on the Patronal feast of that religious family, the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary?

On 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 first small community of religious Sisters took refuge when their convent, the Beaterio de Molo, was destroyed during the American bombing in the height of World War II.

Now, more than half a 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. Students and teachers from the Congregation’s schools, lay Dominicans, Religious Sisters from different Congregations, devoted friends of Mother Rosario, and people from all walks of life were there. The family of Mother Rosario several generations down, would not want to miss the occasion, certainly. 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. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo Archbishop of Jaro. Representing the Archdiocese of Capiz was Archbishop Onesimo Gordoncillo, D.D.; of Palo, Leyte was Archbishop Jose Palma; from the Dioceses of Antique, 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. 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 and Band 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.

CONSTITUTED MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL, THEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL COMMISSION FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONIZATION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO DE LA VISITACION
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Essential to the launching ceremony was the presence of:

a) The Tribunal, led by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, D.D. Archbishop of Jaro, as Judge; Msgr. Higinio Velarde, VG, PA as Judge Delegate; Fr. John de Castro, OSJ as Promoter of Justice; Fr. Carlo Noquez, JCB as Acting Notary; and Sr. Ma. Thaddeus Magtoles, OP as Actual Notary.
b) The Theological Commission: Rev. Father Rey Zerrudo, Msgr. Jose Ma. Delgado
c) The Historical Commission: Fr. Alejandro Esperancilla, Sister Ma. Visitacion Alecto, OP
Atty. Rex Salvilla
d) Postulator: Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR

THE CEREMONY

The Postulator introduced the Cause by reading the biography of Mother Rosario. This included pertinent facts concerning :

Family background
Education
Religious life
Foundation of the Congregation in Molo
Pious and virtuous life
Death
Fame of holiness

The biographical presentation was followed by the request from the Postulator for the Judge of the Tribunal to officially declare open the Diocesan Inquiry of the Cause of Canonization.

Archbishop Lagdameo announced the appointment of the members of the Tribunal each of which swore to execute his/her office.

The Postulator then requested His Excellency, Judge of the Tribunal, to “Open the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God, Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion, foundress of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines.”

At this point His Excellency Archbishop Angel Lagdameo inquired about the official appointment of Father Samson Silloriquez to the office of Postulator. Having presented his documents of appointment, the Judge then declared Father Samson Silloriquez, OAR the official Postulator in the Process.

The Judge asked the Chancellor of the Diocesan Curia to read the Document of the Holy See which states that there is no objection on their part to the opening of the process and his decrees naming the Judge Delegate, Promoter of Justice, Notaries, Commission of Experts on Theology and History

The Chancellor then read the “Nihil Obstat” and the appointment of the members of the Tribunal.

The Archbishop interrogated each of the members of the Tribunal: Judge Delegate, Promoter of Justice, Notary, and Experts in Theology and History, if each would accept the duties for which he/she had been named. Satisfied with the answer of acceptance by each member, the Archbishop reminded them of the great responsibility they have assumed and the importance and seriousness of the process for the Cause of Canonization.

The Archbishop, as Judge, himself made an oath of fulfilling his commitment faithfully. The members of the Tribunal, the Theological Commission as well as the Historical Commission subsequently made their respective oath of office.

The Postulator, at the invitation of the Archbishop, made his own solemn oath to exercise the office entrusted to him with fidelity to truth and not to impede the freedom of witnesses called to testify in this Cause. After swearing in, the Postulator presented to the Archbishop the list of witnesses to be interrogated, reserving to himself the right to present other witnesses and possibly rejecting some already in the list.

Finally, the much-awaited pronouncement by the Archbishop: By virtue of the power bestowed on me and by those present, I DECLARE THE PROCESS FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONIZATION OF MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO DE LA VISITACION OPEN.

With deep joy and gratitude all those present applauded, and the church bells rang continuously for several minutes.

Almost immediately the portrait of Mother Rosario was unveiled for the public. Then followed a prayer for Mother Rosario’s canonization.

The floral offering by the members of Mother Rosario’s family was led by Her Excellency , the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the first Gentleman Mr. Jose Miguel Arroyo.

The whole ceremony was capped by Handel’s “Cantate Domino” beautifully rendered by the University of San Agustin choir.

It was a solemn and touching ceremony held for the first time in the Archdiocese of Jaro. Let us all pray that what was begun will bear fruit - the Canonization of Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion foundress of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines.

Formal Opening of the Diocesan Process of the Cause of Canonization

In connection with the Formal Opening of the Diocesan Process of the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion on October 7, 2009 His Excellency Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines issued ad EDICT dated July 28, 2009.


We ask you to join us in prayer for the speedy Canonization of Mother Rosario.

The Mother Rosario
Music Video on Youtube


PRAYER
(For the beatification of Mother Rosario, OP)

O most loving and merciful Father,
You constantly build up your Church through Your faithful servants
who dedicate themselves to You
in love, service, and generosity.

We thank you, loving Father,
for you have shown
through Your beloved servant, Mother Rosario,
Your constant love and care in the world
by accepting within the Church
a religious family whose members
dedicate themselves to the education
and formation of Your people.

We beg You, loving Father,
to raise Mother Rosario
to the glory of the Blessed Ones.
May her love and dedication
to the work of your Son,
continue to inspire young women and men
to serve Christ faithfully.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Here you may present your petition to
God through the prayers of Mother Rosario)

One Our Father,
One Hail Mary and
One Glory Be

 PASASALAMAT

Please Pray for Mother Rosario’s Speedy Beatification
For favors granted, kindly write to:
Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission (MRAC)
c/o Sr. Visitacion Alecto, OP- Chairperson, MRAC
Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, Molo, 500 Iloilo City, Philippines
Tel. (63)(33) 337-9820 Cell: (63) 0928 413 4592
E-mail: mracop@yahoo.com