Two years ago…

A Franciscan Lay Brother, Brother Francis Monton, began writing to us at the Generalate, telling us that he had heard about our Mother Foundress and Martyred Sisters, and wanted to learn more about them. We sent him booklets, pictures, prayer cards, and medals, and told him to please keep in touch with us if he had any more requests or questions.

Brother has kept in touch with us, writing about his small community of the faithful at Camp Dagohoy in Tagbilaran, on the island of Bohol.  His letters always include pictures of his people and the ways in which they are trying to spread devotion to Blessed Frances Siedliska and the Martyred Sisters. This camp is a type of police/military training camp where he works as a chaplain.  His service there is to the men and women in training, but also extends to their families, as well as families in the area.  

This past February, Sister Virginette went to the Philippines and met Sister Greta Marie Gallo in Bohol, and the two of them went in search of Brother Francis at Camp Dagohoy.  They had some difficulty in finding him, but found a small open-air chapel which they immediately recognized as the right place when they saw a framed picture of Mother Foundress on one of the columns near the altar. Since Brother was not on base that morning, the sisters left a note saying how sorry they were to have missed meeting him.  The next day, Brother called our convent in Bohol and asked if he could come and meet us at our home.  We invited him for lunch, and spent time getting to know him and more about his service to the people.

Present day…

Sisters Jean Marie Pisula and Greta Marie Gallo arranged to meet Brother Francis at Camp Dagohoy. When the Sisters arrived, they were surprised to see all the people, devotees of Mother Foundress and our Martyred Sisters, present there.  The pictures of Mother Foundress and her relics were decorated with many flowers and candles, and the people were waiting for the Sisters so that they could all pray together the prayer to Mother Foundress.

It was a joy to see such deep faith in these people, such strong devotion.  They shared simple stories of what they considered "miracles", a change of heart, a change in the way they were living their lives, that have happened to many of these people through the intercession of Mother Foundress. Through this devotion, they have come to believe more strongly in Jesus, and are living a deeper spiritual life as Christians.

There is interest in our Congregation among people who want to know more about us, who are interested in learning about becoming Associates, and one or two who have expressed interest in entering our Community.

Many of those who are being shipped out on military assignments come to pray to Mother Foundress and the Martyred Sisters for protection, asking for holy cards and medals before they leave.

This kind of deep devotion and visible faith has also touched the Sisters deeply.  They have been invited to come and pray with the people and spend time with them, sharing more about our Congregation, and our Blessed Holy Women.  Sister Jean Marie has promised to meet with the people every month for prayer and group sharing.