Canonical Visit of Mother General Graciela Francovig to the Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate, IP Province, with Sr. Rosa Espinosa

The Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate is deeply grateful for the canonical visit of Sr. Graciela Francovig, F.I., General Superior, and Sr. Rosa Espinosa, F.I., General Consultor, from October 21 to 23, 2026. The three-day encounter was marked by meaningful conversations, joyful sharing, and stories about the sisters’ lives and journeys in the congregation during personal dialogues with Sr. Graciela and conversations shared over meals.

For the novices, the days were filled with fraternal love, words of encouragement, and a celebration of cultural diversity. This spirit of unity amid diversity was especially highlighted on the second evening of the visit, when the novices prepared a simple yet meaningful presentation featuring traditional and modern dances from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. The gathering was filled with joy and gratitude as the sisters expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the warm presence of the two visiting sisters.

On the third day, the sisters gathered for a community meeting, during which Sr. Graciela shared essential aspects of the life and spirituality of the Hijas de Jesús, emphasizing their significance in the novitiate formation journey. Following the presentation, the sisters were invited to share their insights and reflect on the points that struck them most. This sharing provided an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the congregation’s spirituality and its relevance to their own journey of vocation and formation.

Arrival and a pose in front of the Holy Name of Jesus Novitiate

As a fitting conclusion to the visit, Sr. Graciela and Sr. Rosa were accompanied by the sisters of the community to the Asia Oriental Novitiate, where they would continue the canonical visit.

The day ended with gratitude for the meaningful exchanges and enriching experiences shared throughout the encounter, including the short but joyful walk to the House of Formation of Asia Oriental.

Some impressions of the novices…

The visit of Sr. Graciela and Sr. Rosa was a meaningful and important experience for me. Their encouraging words and the sense of Mother Cándida’s presence in my life and heart made the visit especially meaningful.

Her presence came at a very important moment, just after our entrance into the novitiate. At the beginning of my novitiate formation, I felt strengthened by her encouraging words and by the experiences she shared with us during our activities here. By Kristiani, NFI

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the visit of Mother General Graciela Francovig and General Councilor Sr. Rosa Espinosa.

Their presence brought so much joy to our community and to me personally. I especially appreciated the times we spent together in prayer, sharing meals, and getting to know one another better as a family.

I was deeply touched during our community encounter when Mother General spoke about “Caring for Our Vocation.” This theme helped me reflect more deeply on my journey as a novice and encouraged me to continue nurturing my vocation.

For all these blessings, I thank God for the beautiful experience He has given me. By Kurnia, NFI

By Sr. Edhen Mae Paranga, F.I.