Dec 21, 2022 | NEWS
In the Philippines, many Christmas parties are held during this time. Different groups, neighbours, communities come together to celebrate together, make wishes and give each other small gifts. The sisters from the community in Manila organised a Christmas party for a group of women who have participated in all three editions of the sewing course at our house. The party was also attended by the Polish ambassador to the Philippines and his collaborators. It was a very joyful gathering. Many of the women who attended the sewing course are using the skills and are already earning money for their families by sewing. Some of them brought gifts to the sisters that they had sewn for them themselves.
Dec 17, 2022 | NEWS
The Novena before Christmas has started. In the Philippines, this is a special time, celebrated mainly by participating in solemn Holy Masses called “Simbang Gabi”.
Simbang Gabi in the Philippines takes place daily from December 16 to 24. It is celebrated at various times, from 3:00 to 5:00 am local time. On the last day of Simbang Gabi, or Christmas Eve, the service is called Misa de Gallo (meaning “rooster mass”).
This custom of attending Mass in the morning is very popular and also plays an important role in Philippine culture. The tradition dates back to the 17th century and was adapted from Spain.
A well-known folk belief is that if a faithful completes all nine days of Simbang Gabi, God can grant the request made as part of the novena. Perhaps for this reason, during the novena all churches are always full of faithful, despite such an early hour.
Similar to the Spanish tradition of lighting small oil lamps on Christmas Eve, Philippines decorates their homes with colorful star-shaped lanterns. It is believed that they were originally used by the faithful to illuminate the way to the church in the early morning, and also symbolized the Star of Bethlehem. Glowing stars continue to be popular Christmas decorations in the Philippines, as iconic and symbolic as Christmas trees in the West.
Dec 16, 2022 | NEWS
In Nanjota, thanks to the efforts of the sisters and good people, it has been possible to dig a well with water in it. This is a great joy, as water is particularly hard to come by in this area. The well is 180 metres deep. We thank Sister Sophie and all the people who worked on this project. May God be blessed for His grace.
Dec 14, 2022 | NEWS
On December 6, on the eve of the 146th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, Fr. John Schneider, our Father Founder, we persevered in prayer and thanksgiving in the place where his mortal remains rest. On that day, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Piasek in Wrocław was gradually filling up. We rushed from various parts of Poland to Father’s grave to tell him how we live, what’s going on with us, what hopes we have, at the same time asking him for intercession for each of us.
We’ve all been here. Sisters whom remained at home in Poland and abroad made spiritual pilgrimages. There were sisters from Germany, the Philippines and Tanzania. None of us could be missing.
The prayer was started by S.M. Immaculata Kiepura, Provincial Councilor:
“Today we stand at the grave of our founder, Servant of God Father John Schneider, a son of the Silesian land, a great apostle of mercy, a good shepherd, a lover of the Immaculate and a defender of human dignity, to praise God for the great things he accomplished in the life of our Father Founder. We stand together to pray and thank God for his life full of goodness, mercy and concern for girls without work and shelter, to ask for graces and gifts through his intercession. We want to save souls with a simple prayer. Christ gives us his word about the Good Shepherd today, so let this God’s Word sink deeply into our hearts and speak to us with great power and love.
These words of introduction to our vigil gave direction to the prayerful presence of the religious family of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate at the tomb of the tireless Apostle of Mercy.
At the middle of our prayerful readiness of heart was the Eucharist celebrated for the beatification of the Servant of God, Fr. John Schneider. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Piotr Rapacz, vicar of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Piasek. Thanks to the musical sensitivity of our sisters united in the choir, a liturgical community was created that glorified God with all their hearts through singing.
We returned to our communities bearing in mind the assurances of our Father Founder:
“I bless you with all my heart, I will always be with you.” What we strongly believe in. Amen
s.M. Małgorzata Cur
Dec 9, 2022 | NEWS
With the celebration of our patronal feast of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the canonical visitation to the community in the Philippines began. We celebrated together with our closest collaborators and friends of the community. This small community in the Philippines forms a large community with people who help them on a daily basis.
Dec 9, 2022 | NEWS
The gift from St. Nicholas 88 years ago was given to Franciszka and Jan Patalas when their fourth child, our Sister Dionysia, was born on 6 December 1934. Today in our community we celebrate the birthday of our dear Sister, to whom we wish many graces of God. Please say a Hail Mary for Sister’s intentions….let’s collect 88 Hail Mary’s for Sister Dionysia’s 88 years.
S.M. Joanna Marcińska
