Praise, Gratitude , ‘Suscipe’  were the three words Sr. Joji Silorio, FI as she heartily thanked Sr. Lynn Falsis, FI (Provincial Superior, Indico Pacifico ), her eldest brother Mr.  Joey Silorio, Sr. Lory  Losbañes, FI, a guest missionary from Bangladesh, and her  11 other sisters of Metro Manila community last Friday afternoon, 28th of February,2025 at the close of a simple yet very intimate and solemn mission sending lovingly prepared by Sr. Nori Marquez, FI superior of the community.

       In her words of thanks, Sr. Joji or Sr. Jeck to everyone was deeply moved as she briefly shared some memorable incidents in her life that paved the way to her missionary vocation that according to her, “was a new assignment extraordinarily and surprisingly special at the age of 49!”. She narrated that the memory of attending a missionary sending of an SVD priest to Africa when she was still in her second year of high school remained in her heart.  When she joined the Hijas de Jesus years later, she prayed to God to send her to the missions while she was still young and strong. But unfortunately, when her health declined in her early forties, she gave up hope of going to “Mission ad Gentes”. Surprisingly, on December 5, 2024, she received a call from Mother General, Sr. Graciela sending her to Mae Hong Son, Thailand to bring Jesus’s GOOD NEWS to our brother and sister refugees. At that moment, her heart cried out with joy and moved to tears, she said, “What am I Lord, that you should love me, as Your dearest love of all” as a song goes. She added, “When I gave up on myself, the Lord did not!”

     The sisters present were teary-eyed as Sr. Jeck ended her thanksgiving words with her very moving and heartwarming “suscipe” echoing St. Ignatius’ “Take Lord, RECEIVE”. She offered herself to the Holy Trinity saying,” May my whole life and everyday life, from sunrise to sunset, be an offering to God, who is my all, my “pearl of great price”, in whose heart my heart belongs, in whose arms my body rest secure…in whose hands I am forever cared for”

Then bear hugs, warm congratulations, and lively picture takings filled the community chapel with laughter and joy. The sisters also admired the uniquely crafted wooden missionary cross Sr. Lynn gave to Sr. Jeck. The celebration ended with a sumptuous “merienda cena” at the community refectory. 

By Sr. Nitz Teñoso, FI

Photos of the Event