A Grateful Celebration of 50 Years of Faithfulness
On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, 2026, the Manresa Retreat House became a place of thanksgiving and joyful remembrance as the community gathered to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession of Srs. Nelida Peñaflorida, FI and Felicidad de Jesus, FI.
The celebration was especially meaningful because it took place on the feast of Mary’s Assumption. Throughout their fifty years of consecrated life, the two jubilarians have also tried to live their own “yes” to God, trusting Him even when the road ahead was not always clear. In Mary, they have found a model of faith, courage, and generous following of Jesus.
Surrounded by their fellow sisters, family members, friends, and benefactors, Srs. Nelida and Felicidad gave thanks for the gift of fifty years in religious life. The celebration was simple and joyful, yet deeply meaningful. More than marking an anniversary, it was an opportunity to look back with gratitude at the many people, places, experiences, joys, and challenges that have been part of their journey—and, above all, to recognize God’s loving presence throughout it all.
The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Albert Garong, with Fr. Kevin Cosme as homilist. In his homily, Fr. Kevin reflected on the lives and virtues of the two jubilarians. Before the celebration, he had asked them to share something about their vocation journey, which helped him speak from a deeper understanding of their fifty years of religious life.
Their stories are stories of perseverance, generous service, and a love that has grown through the years. At the heart of their journey has been the certainty that God is faithful and that He continues to accompany those who entrust their lives to Him.
The Eucharistic celebration was made even more joyful by the music prepared and sung by the formandees of the Indico-Pacific and Asia-Oriental Provinces of the Hijas de Jesus, together with Sr. Lee Uera, FI.
One of the most touching moments of the Mass was the renewal of vows of Srs. Nelida and Felicidad. In the presence of Sr. Ma. Leoly Quitorio, FI, Provincial Superior, and their local superiors, Sr. Normida Marquez, FI and Sr. Alma Mae Zarriz, FI, they once again expressed their desire to remain faithful to the vocation they received from God fifty years ago.
Their renewal of vows was a quiet but powerful reminder that religious consecration is lived day by day. Fifty years after their first “yes,” they continue to place their lives in God’s hands.
After the Mass, everyone gathered for a simple reception. It was a happy time of sharing, conversation, laughter, and remembering. Sisters, family members, friends, and benefactors had the opportunity to celebrate with the jubilarians and to give thanks for the gift of their lives and vocation.
The Golden Jubilee of Srs. Nelida and Felicidad is not simply a celebration of fifty years that have passed. It is a celebration of God’s faithfulness—of the grace that has sustained them through different seasons of life and enabled them to continue saying “yes” to Him.
Their journey reminds us that a vocation is lived through many ordinary days: in prayer, service, community life, joys, struggles, and countless quiet acts of love. Fifty years of religious profession is itself a beautiful witness that, with God’s grace, a faithful “yes” can continue to bear fruit through the years.
As they continue their journey, may the Blessed Mother, whose Assumption we celebrate, accompany Srs. Nelida and Felicidad and help them to remain faithful and joyful daughters of Jesus.
With grateful hearts, the whole community joins them in praising God for these fifty years and says with them:
“Ama Salamat!”
THE PHOTOS
