“I will go to the outermost part of the world in search of souls.” This saying of Mo. Candida manifests her great desire to reach many people and bring them to God.

Indeed, God is good for bringing Mo. Candida’s spirituality and charism in Ciudad Nuevo, Naic, Cavite, and for realizing the dream of the people there to have their own Church, St. Candida Ma. de Jesus Parish, the first Church in the Philippines to be named after Mo. Candida. For the people of Ciudad Nuevo, August 9 is a day of remembering, rejoicing, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of Mo. Candida and their Church. This year, the community celebrated for the third time the feast day of Mo. Candida since 2021 as a parish. 

A pose at the façade of the Church and at the portrait of Mo. Candida inside the Church.

The Bishop of Imus, Cavite, His Most Reverend Reynaldo Evangelista, DD mentions in his homily in relation to the Gospel reading and synodality of the Church, the important values of Mo. Candida such as love of God, love of neighbor, and humility encourage the people to emulate her as they work and journey together as a community and people of God. He also mentions that St. Candida Maria de Jesus Parish is God’s gift to them and that they do not have a reason not to go to the Church because it is built at the heart of their community. This time is a time of thanksgiving and a great opportunity to continuously support and build the Church in Naic for God’s greater glory and the salvation of souls.

The sense of Church in St. Candida Parish is evidently seen and felt in the smiles and welcoming attitude of the parishioners, huge attendance of mass goers, great acapella singing of the choir, and loud responses especially during the short brownout at the start of the Mass, generosity of the people during the offertory rite, solemn Mass and fraternal ambiance of the community.

The Sisters and Manresan Teachers with Rev. Fr. Mayolene Joseph G. Mayola and Mrs. Charry Tejano at the Church Convent.

Rev. Fr. Mayolene Joseph G. Mayola and His Most Excellency, Bishop Rey Evangelista with the invited priests.

The Sisters and Manresan Teachers with His Most Excellency, Bishop Rey Evangelista, DD. 

After the Mass, one hundred youth enjoyed a surprise umbrella gift donated by the Manresa School Parents Auxiliary to the Manresa School Outreach office. A sumptuous reception in Manresa Hall followed after the Mass with so many opportunities for the greet and meet stories and photo taking. 

Over time, through the Hijas de Jesus outreach programs and activities, I can truly say that Mo. Candida’s spirit and charism are alive and become a strong foundation in the building of the Church in Naic. At present, Mo. Candida is deeply felt and experienced by the people of Naic and she becomes a personal friend, intercessor, and beloved Patron Saint to both the young and the old.

by Ms. Loi Mandario