The Wise Friar

Venerable Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes:  Tagapagtatag ng Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena Si Francisca de Fuentes, anak nina Simon de Fuentes at Ana del Castillo y Tamayo ay isinilang sa Maynila noong taong 1647.  Siya ay isang insulares  sapagkat siya'y may purong dugong Espanyol subali't sa Pilipinas ipinanganak at nagkaisip. Nang nasa wastong gulang na, siya ay ipinagkasundo ng kanyang mga magulang sa isang maginoo at sila’y nagpakasal.  Ngunit halos isang taon lamang ang kanilang naging pagsasama sapagkat maagang binawian ng buhay ang kanyang kabiyak.  Nabiyuda sa edad na 20 taon at hindi biniyayaan ng anak, ginugol ni Francisca ang kanyang panahon sa pananalangin at sa  pagtulong sa mga mahihirap at mga may sakit. Sa isang pangitain, nagpakita sa kanya si San Francisco at Santo Domingo at nakita niya ang kanyang sarili na nagpatirapa sa harapan ni Sto. Domingo.  Itinuring niya itong isang palatandaan mula sa langit kung kaya'...

In the vibrant yet rigid society of the 17th century colonial Manila, where race and class often determined one's destiny, emerged a woman whose faith and perseverance would ignite a movement that still burns brightly today.  Madre Ignacia del Espiritu Santo (1663 - 1748), a Filipina of Chinese descent, chose the narrow, thorny path of offering her self to God - at a time when native women were excluded from entering religious life.  Her life, though quietly lived, remains a profound witness to the enduring power of faith, courage and indigenous leadership. Madre Ignacia can be considered an exemplary Filipina because of her dedication and service to God and others and for paving the way for other Filipinas who wanted to pursue religious life by establishing the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus, the origin of the congregation of Filipino sisters currently known as the Religious of the Virgin Mary, Although the then beatas and the present day RVM sisters had made a great impa...

Laureana "Ka Luring" Franco: The Holy Catechist of Manila Ka Luring Franco (1936 - 2011) God indeed reveals Himself to the humble in the lowliest of disguises. And Ka Luring was sensitive to that fact - she found God and recognized Him revealing Himself in the faces of the the little children she so loved catechizing and the poor she so selflessly helped and served; that she herself became a reflection of that God she found among God's poor, which she so perfectly radiated with stunning simplicity and overflowing joy. Laureana Franco gave up her job in a government office in order to pursue her true calling and first love, the teaching of catechism to children. From then on, Ka Luring spent the rest of her years pursuing in what for her, was her real vocation and mission in life – that of being a catechist.  She has earned the title, "The Legendary Catechist of the Archdiocese of Manila” because of her commitment to the ministry of catechizing children. She knew so ...

Venerable Teofilo B. Camomot (1914 - 1988) Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Teresa Early Life and Formation Archbishop Teofilo Bastida Camomot was born in Cogon, Carcar, Cebu on March 3, 1914 and was baptized the following day, Wednesday, March 4, as what was customary at the time.  He was the third of eight children of Luis Camomot and Angela Bastida. He received the sacrament of confirmation on August 22, 1915.  From an early age, he was immersed in a deeply religious environment that nurtured his vocation.   Affectionately known as "Lolong", by family and friends, young Teofilo exhibited a compassionate heart, often asking her mother for food to share with the less fortunate in their community. After completing his elementary education at Carcar Elementary School, he chose to assist his father in their farm, aspiring to become an agriculturist - a path his mother discouraged, preferring he pursue a religious vocation.  A pivotal moment came...