Mar 17, 2025 - In her  last Circular Letter, Sr. Graciela Franconvicg shared with us about the Novitiate for the English-speaking formandees which will start in Manila of the Indico-Pacific Province. Currently, there are young postulants in Bangladesh and in the Philippines.  On April 2, three young women from Indonesia will take a new step in their response to God’s call as they enter postulancy. These young women have been accompanied by the Sisters of Asia Oriental previously in their aspirancy. The  vocational journey 0f these young women is a sign of hope and commitment to the mission of the Hijas de Jesus.

To strengthen the FI Formation: A Novitiate  for English-speaking Formandees

After a process of discernment and dialogue, the Provincial Government of the Indico-Pacific requested the General Government that a novitiate in the Philippines will welcome young women from Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia. There are several important reasons for this decision:

- To form a solid group of novices who have a strong sense of community.

- To be guided by a Novice Mistress who can guarantee a common accompaniment.

- To favor a shared formative process which respects the richness of each culture.

With this broad and apostolic perspective, the Superior General, Graciela Francovig, approved the request and indicated that this novitiate is of the Indico-Pacific Province where sisters from different countries can participate.

Let's get to know the new postulants

We share some photos of the young women who are beginning their formation journey:

From Indonesia (Aspirants who will join the postulancy on April 2, 2025).

Kristiani Yunita Nurhayati, Fransiska Emilina Sesil y Afriana Kurnia

The Aspirants with their Formator – Sr. Marie Sweet Candelaria, FI

From the Philippines

Diane Gayatgay y  Rachebelle Basco

The Postulants with their Formator – Sr. Maria Leoly Quitorio, FI

From Bangladesh

Moutushi Chambugong y Hanna Nokrek

The Postulants with their Formator – Sr. Helen Catangcatang, FI

A commitment and an Opportunity

We thank God for the gift of vocation which fills us with hope. We also recognize that the challenges of formation today are demanding: inculturating the Gospel and our being Hijas de Jesus in diverse cultures.

Thus, we are invited to:

- Pray for the formation of these young women and their vocational journey.

 - Renew our own vocation, living our call with joy and dedication.

-  Be a living witness of a full life in the Lord, remembering that the first pastoral vocational ministry begins with our own life.

Let us continue to humbly ask for new vocations and let us allow ourselves to be challenged by this moment of grace. May God continue to guide our path!

From the Circular Letter #45 of the Superior General, Graciela Francovig, 5 March 2025.

(See it Here) https://hijasdejesus.org/en/english-language-novitiate-in-manila-a-further-step-in-inculturated-formation/