From Molo to the Missions: The Holy Life of Venerable Rosario dela Visitacion Arroyo

Mo. Ma. Rosario P. Arroyo (1884 - 1957)
Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Molo
Source: https://opmolosisters-phil.org/

The latter part of the nineteenth century was a time of political unrest and uncertainty. The Philippines was trying to break free from the hands of the colonial power that has controlled the country and its people for almost four hundred years. The spirit of patriotism was beginning to ignite the hearts and minds of the Filipinos and the threat of an imminent uprising from various corners seemed inevitable and was gaining popularity and strength like a surging wave.  The same spirit of restlessness not for the world but for the salvation of souls, will ignite Madre Sayong's heart to work for the coming of God's reign here on earth. 

In the backdrop of this political and economic unrest, Madre Rosario Arroyo also known as Madre Sayong, was born.  She was born on February 17, 1884 in the town of Molo, Iloilo.  She was the only daughter in a brood of 5 in the affluent family of Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona Maria Pidal.  Two of his brothers died in their infancy while the elder Jose, became a lawyer and was elected a Senator of the country in 1917 and the youngest brother, Mariano who was a physician became governor of Iloilo in 1928.  

Molo Church
Source: https://opmolosisters-phil.org/

She was baptized at the church of Sta. Ana on February 20, 1884 by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor receiving the name Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo.  Her parents were her first teachers who taught her good conduct, love for the poor, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

At an early age, Madre Sayong was exposed by her parents to acts of charity for the poor. Here she saw the hardships and sufferings of those who are in need and was moved with compassion for them.  This could have left a deep impression in Rosario's young mind.

The wealth and influence of her family could have been an obstacle to her progress in the life of holiness because through them, she could have lived a pampered and well-provided life. On the contrary, she lived a very simple life, very much different from the extravagant and care-free lifestyle that other girls of her status enjoyed.  She was never lured by the shimmer of worldly possessions and entitlement.  When her parents passed away, she gave everything she inherited from them to the congregation. Madre Sayong was in deed a person of different mold!

Pidal - Arroyo Family Portrait
Source: https://opmolosisters-phil.org/

Madre Sayong began her studies at Colegio de Sta Ana, a private school in Molo.  In preparation for her First Communion, her parents transferred her to Colegio de San Jose of the Hijas de Caridad where she completed her elementary education.

Later, she was sent to the Beaterio de Santa Catalina in Intramuros where she learned to play the piano and the keyboard, which were popular subjects among the wealthy at that time.

At the age of 27, she entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena.  After six months as a postulant, she received the holy habit of a Dominican and was given the name Madre Rosario de la Visitacion.  She made her first profession of vows on January 3, 1914.

Madre Sayong was assigned to teach at the Colegio de la Nuestra Senora del Sto. Rosario in Lingayen, Pangasinan.  Here, she became ill. She briefly returned to Molo to rest and when she regained her strength, she returned to the convent in Manila.

When her mother passed away, her father asked her to return to Molo so she could be with him in his time of bereavement.  Her father begged her to stay at their family home, but Madre Sayong was determined to return to Manila to continue her religious life dedicated to serving God and others.  But God had other plans.

On February 18, 1927, Mother Rosario and two other nuns set out for Molo to begin the foundation of a religious congregation.  This was through the encouragement of Bishop James McClonskey, the last American Bishop of Jaro who pleaded with the superiors of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena to send Mother Rosario's group.

Prior to this, Bishop McClonskey had already began the initial preparations for the establishment of the Beaterio del Santissimo Rosario in Molo and had secured the necessary permission from Rome for the establishemnt of the foundation.  And on July 24, 1925, Bishop McClonskey granted permission to begin the beaterio.  

The establishment of the Beaterio was in response to the wish of Madre Sayong's parents to dedicate part of their wealth to the establishment of a religious congregation.  To carry out this plan, the Arroyos donated their family home to be used as convent by the nuns.  A free school was opened nearby and eventually, homeless girls knocked on the door of the convent and were welcomed, cared for and given opportunity to study by Madre Sayong.  Many of these girls later joined the new congregation. 

At the onslaught of World War II, Madre Sayong was advised by her family and friends to send the nuns and the children they were caring for home.  But Madre Sayong insisted that they should stay together. They evacuated their convent because it was used as garrison by the Japanese and Madre Sayong's group temporarily stayed in the church of Molo.

 

Bishop James McClonskey requested for the
sending of Madre Rosario's group to Jaro
Source:  Jaro Carmel

On March 10, 1945, the convent was bombed by American soldiers, believing that there were still Japanese hiding there.  The school was also destroyed.   After the war, the nuns focused their attention on rebuilding the convent and the school.  Soon after, Bishop Jose Maria Cuenco, the new Bishop of Jaro, asked for the nuns' help in the schools, so the nuns were sent to college to get degrees in education.  The formation of youth is an apostolate very close to Mother Sayong's heart.

On January 3 - 6, 1953, the congregation's first general chapter was held and Mother Sayong was elected by the chapter as first Prioress General and remained prioress until her death on June 14, 1957 at the age of 73.

Many mourned Mother Sayong's death.  At her funeral were civil and ecclesiastical leaders, and people from all walks of life, especially the poor whom she showed much love and provided with appreciation and service.

On January 16, 1959, the congregation was incorporated into the larger Dominican Order and was granted pontifical approbation by the Holy See on October 7, 1985, Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.

Currently, the congregation founded by Mother Rosario is known as the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary of the Philippines or more popularly the Dominican Sisters of Molo with over 250 professed members, 56 of whom serve as missionaries in the countries of Kenya, United States and Italy.

On July 28, 2009, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo authorized the opening of the Diocesan Inquiry for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Mother Rosario Arroyo and it was formally initiated at the Church of Sta. Ana in Molo on October 7, 2009.

On June 12, 2019, the decree regarding the "heroic virtue" of the Servant of God Madre Rosario de la Visitacion Arroyo was promulgated, making her a Venerable in the Church, a step bringing her closer to sainthood. 

References:

"A Brief Biography of Mother Rosario Arroyo, OP". Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission retrieved from https://sites.google.com/a/holyangelscolma.org/dominican/our-founder on April 17, 2020.

PCNE Calendar 2019

The 2018 - 2019 Catholic Directory of the Philippines, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Claretian Communications, Foundation, Quezon City, p. 556.