The pioneer sisters:(Not in order) Sr. Maria Rey, Sr. Asuncion Velasco, Sr. Maria Porta, Sr. Brigida Sagardoy, Sr. Sofia Garcia, and Sr. Teresa Garcia, together with Mother General Eloisa Andres, and Gen Sec. Magdalena Inibarren in Los Mostenses, Salamanca, Spain, prior to their departure to the Philippines.

Today, June 27, is a significant day for us as we celebrate the arrival of the first Hijas de Jesus in the Philippines. This foundation day is a time of remembering, honoring, and celebrating the achievements of the past years while looking forward with hope to what is to come. This holy remembrance instills in us a sense of history, engraved in our hearts and minds with great affection and gratitude. To have a sense of history is to reminisce about and honor our beginnings and to remind us of how the Congregation was born in this part of the world. We joyfully celebrate the birth of the charism of St. Candida Maria de Jesus. We celebrate with joy the birth of the charism of St. Candida Maria de Jesus in the fertile garden of the Philippines.

The pioneers, together with some missionaries from other Congregation aboard the boat "Trier".

This event invites us to reflect on how our pioneer sisters bravely sowed the tiny seed of M. Foundress’s charismatic gift in the lush fields of Pototan, Iloilo. It has become a big tree with its branches extending to the towns and cities of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Reflecting on the amazing growth of our charism and mission gives us a sense of deep joy and gratitude, a sense of fulfillment of the vision of our dear M. Foundress. It is a consoling delight to see our communities in different parts of the Philippines zealously and steadfastly nurturing the growth of M. Foundress’s charismatic mission.

This foundation day, etched with tradition and rich history, fills the heart with thanksgiving. Most importantly, it is an appreciation of the ever-providential God who never abandons us in this wonderful Congregational venture.

Sr. Florence Constantino, FI