1939 – The Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate

The Novitiate was originally planned for Pototan, Iloilo, and a canonical permit had already been granted. However, God’s plan led the Congregation in another direction. With the foundation of Nazareth in Manila, the idea emerged to establish the Formation House there. Permission was obtained, and the Novitiate in Manila formally began on September 1, 1939, with Sr. Natividad Pasaporte, the first Filipina to join the Hijas de Jesús. Sr. Saturnina Herrero, then Superior of the Nazareth Community, accompanied her until May 1941, when Sr. Petra Ortega was appointed Mistress of Novices.

On June 6, 1941, two aspirants, Mercedes Martinez and Josefa Santos, joined Sr. Natividad. They became novices on December 1, 1939.  The Japanese Occupation interrupted the reception of new candidates. In 1946, Sr. Consejo Fuentes and Josefa Alpapara entered the Novitiate, although Josefa left after a year.

As the years passed, the Nazareth area became increasingly crowded, making a quieter place for the Novitiate necessary. Thus, on June 7, 1954, the Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate entered a new stage of its life, three days after the Manresa Retreat House Community was established. Sr. Consuelo Bosque was appointed to guide the Novitiate, which at that time had four novices and six postulants. The move from Nazareth to Quezon City was approved by Rome for the transfer of the Formation House.

The Novitiate continued to receive new applicants. By 1964, the growing number of novices necessitated separating the Novitiate from the Retreat House. An additional wing was constructed through the generosity of Sr. Ignacia Munita, then Provincial Superior of the Orient.

As formation needs developed, the Congregation saw the importance of giving the Novitiate its own identity and greater autonomy as a formative community. Thus, on May 31, 1978, the Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate became an independent community with its own identity and mission.

Sr. Florencia Constantino, who had succeeded Sr. Consuelo Bosque in 1971, led the community, which consisted of five postulants, four novices, and six professed Sisters. As the community grew into its new identity, its life was shaped by prayer, interior reflection, community living, and apostolic service. The Novitiate became a place where formation and mission came together, reaching out especially to the poor, children, and young people who longed for a more meaningful and fuller Christian life.

Based on the article from the Golden Jubilee Book