"O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him". -Psalm 105:1-2

On June 27, 1932, the first Spanish Hijas de Jesus missionaries arrived in the Philippines—Sisters Maria Porta, Asuncion Velasco, Sofia Garcia, Brigida Sagardoy, Maria Rey, and Teresa Garcia. With profound gratitude, we remember them as they stepped forth on July 13, 1932, for the first time with evangelical purpose and audacity, bringing blessings of hope and life to the sacred soil of Pototan. It is with joy that I share with you the very words of Sr. Sofia Garcia sourced from the Philippine Province’s Bulletin, May-June 1982 issue; 50 years of the Hijas de Jesus in the Philippines.

“There were certain things that one easily forgets, and there are things that one cannot forget even if one lives to be two hundred years…like the time when the missionary spirit reached the peak of its fervor in Spain, and enkindled great desires in most Sisters and students…I was one of them.

When Mother General announced that there would be an expedition to China, I was one of the many who volunteered. I was chosen, and I enthusiastically prepared myself for China…I was almost ready to tell my family when I was told not to go anymore…It was quite a disappointment, but soon I was busy with work in school, teaching science and enjoying it.

Later came the news that a new foundation was to be established in the Philippines, but I did not offer myself. And I was told to go.  The name of the country suggested a new world for me, so that I felt like going to the library immediately—my mind was not in my class anymore—to research the Philippines…I researched a lot.

After a brief visit with my family (after 21 years, I saw them again), we sailed from the port of Barcelona on May 26, 1932, aboard the German ship ‘Trier’…I had no thoughts of going back to my native Spain…I was firmly convinced (even up to now) that my place in the family would be filled by God a hundred times over… We were with other missionaries bound for the Far East, and being together (posing for photos and singing hymns to the Blessed Virgin, ‘Madre alma mia, yo no te olvido, no’) was enough to affirm my radical following of Christ.

I remember clearly that we had Spaniards with us going to the Philippines to work on their business in Negros—a clear contrast to my desire—to search for souls and nothing more…no blueprint for my future, not an inkling as to where God was leading me…

Aboard the ship, we had a bounty of masses for there were missionary priests, including two Augustinians who impressed us with their demeanor. They remarked that we were beginners, but with all the fervor. Yet, there also loomed before us the shadow of the Cross…where and how to begin, what to do…ours was a blending of anxieties and great hopes…

As we approached Manila on June 27, a Vincentian priest, Fr. Angel Fereira was there to meet us, with two Sisters from the Daughters of Charity. He came on behalf of the Bishop of Jaro, Rev. James McClosky. With a little knowledge of English (Mo. Piedad del Molino taught me little English in Spain) and with great trust in the Divine Providence, we disembarked and proceeded straight to the Archbishop’s Palace (after 50 years, I couldn’t imagine how we could do that.) Msgr. Michael Doherty, the Archbishop, was an Irishman who became Rector of an Irish Seminary in Spain, and he knew M. Candida personally, and he also taught English to our Sisters there.)

We lodged at Colegio de Santa Isabel (run by the Daughters of Charity) for a week, visiting some of their houses. On July 3, we left for Iloilo with Fr. Fereira, arriving the next day... We were met by two Sisters from the Daughters of Charity and experienced the jubilation of the people amid festivities, for it was Philippine Independence Day. We had to go to Barotac, Nuevo to meet Bishop McClosky, who welcomed us and gave us his blessing, but where we would start our apostolate was yet unknown. There were speculations, but things were uncertain until Msgr. Marcelino Guanco, the parish priest of Pototan, offered his convent to us so we could start our apostolate in that place. (He stayed in his sister’s house.)

July 13…all were set to proceed to Pototan. Before leaving, the Bishop, with some priests, celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Colegio de San Jose. Then, our entourage – the Bishop, priests, some Sisters, and ourselves left for Pototan. The enthusiasm of the people who received us was overwhelming – bells were ringing, children waved their flaglets as we passed through the decorated arches of welcome. We went immediately to the church for the ‘Te Deum,’ and there were several speeches from the Bishop, some priests, and others. As we sat there, I was speechless—I was full of thought. I was very conscious that we came for a great mission which would become SOMETHING someday…I was not mistaken…Lunch consisted of more than 20 viands, yet I couldn’t eat much, for I was feeling a lot of emotion.

Afterwards, the Bishop appealed to the people to help us, and in their presence, he gave us some amount to start with…Then, we were alone…I repeated to myself these words, ‘Here will be our abode’... Then people came to greet us. When they came to kiss our ‘JESU,’ we did not know what to do.

That was the first day… and later…

The language…some residents knew Spanish, and I knew little English, in that I could communicate…

The climate…at first, I thought I could not work except to fan myself the whole day.

The food…we needed to adjust, but it was a lot easier than we thought.

Fears… yes, the insects and the ‘tuko’ (nocturnal big lizards) were on our ceiling; we decided to kill them, but we couldn’t—we learned to ignore them.

And after 50 years? ...I feel fulfilled and optimistic…from a life of poverty, limitations, and difficulties to a life that is fruitfully lived in service…there has been an evolution according to the time and orientations of the Church…I can see the spirit of Mo. Foundress kept alive in our schools and communities, and I look forward with optimism to more fruitful years for the Congregation of the Hijas de Jesus in the Philippines…”

SOME IMAGES OF THE BEGINNINGS...

Headline photo background: Before sending, the 6 pioneer sisters pose for a photo at Salamanca Motherhouse.

Sent by Sr. Eloisa Andres, six young Hijas de Jesus left Salamanca, Spain, on May 22, 1932, for Barcelona, where they would board the German Ship, Trier. Their destination, the Philippines. This new community was composed of Sr. Maria Porta, Superior; Sr. Asuncion Velasco, Vice-Superior; Sr. Sofia Garcia, Councilor; Sr. Brigida Sagardoy, Procurator; and coadjutor Sisters Maria Rey and Teresa Garcia. They left Barcelona on May 26, Feast of Corpus Christi, and arrived in Manila, Philippines, on June 27, 1932.

The Pioneer sisters aboard the ship "Trier" on their way to the Philippines, with some Augustinian Missionaries and others...

After the processional welcome, the sisters took a photo with Bishop McKlosky and Msgr. Guanco in front of San Jose Church