With a grateful heart, we share with you our day-to-day experiences over the past two months. We were privileged to have Sr. Nuria Lobo, ss.cc., with us. She facilitated a dynamic and enriching session on "Configuration with the Jesus Christ" through in-person gatherings. The session skilfully integrated theory with practical applications, rooted in our concrete lived experiences. During this time, we also had the opportunity to interact with the SS.CC. brothers’ pre-novices. We began our gathering with a Mass, during which Felipe and Anas shared their personal reflections on the Hidden Life of Jesus. At another moment, we had a meaningful encounter and sharing with the sisters in Bagong Silang, who shared their profound experiences of living out Jesus' mission.
We were also blessed to hear from the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly. On that day, the superior of the community shared how they live the crucified life of Jesus through their daily encounters with the elderly they care for. These experiences and sessions helped us deepen our understanding of living the four stages of Jesus and invited us to embrace His same attitude and feeling in our lives.
Later, we had a session on Interreligious Dialogue. Along with classroom discussions and experience-sharing on this topic, we visited a Buddhist and a Hindu temple, engaging in meaningful dialogue with the monks. We had rich conversations about theology and humanity. We found a shared belief that our religious vocation calls us to intimacy with God and to spread justice and peace wherever we are. We were grateful for the monks' openness and warm hospitality during our visit.
On another occasion, we had an online session on Our SS.CC. Mission today with Sujata Jena, ss.cc. This session deepened our understanding of the mission from both a human perspective and as Sisters of the Sacred Hearts. We were invited to open our minds and hearts to the realities around us and to respond to them with compassion. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide us in our mission, that our presence—inside or outside the community—may truly proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.
Following that, we had a session on Bibliodrama with Joy Candelario, a laywoman from the Philippines. She guided us through a personal, collective, and spiritual experience rooted in the biblical text. She encouraged us to share our faith as a group, to listen deeply to one another, and to let the Word speak to our heart. We were invited not just to study the Bible but to live it—finding God in an embodied, creative, and communal way.
Then our sister Mary McCloskey, ss.cc., accompanied us on the theme of Spirituality. She inspired us to enter more deeply into prayer and contemplation, so we might experience the same love found in the Heart of Jesus, as our founders did, and share it with others. She encouraged us to live out reparation, Eucharistic adoration, both inner and outer silence, perseverance, abandonment, and fidelity, even in times of difficulty.
Other occasion, we joyfully celebrated the Opening Mass of the first Provincial Chapter of the Province of Pacific/USA-ASIA, joined by sisters from Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and Hawaii, along with General Superior Patricia and council member, Pushpa. The Mass, celebrated by Fr. Pankrasius Olak Kraeng, ss.cc. the Provincial of Indonesia, was held at the retreat house and was a moment of great joy. Afterward, we shared a meal together as one family.
On the 21st of June, we had a Zoom meeting with brothers preparing for perpetual vows from Indonesia, Congo, India, the Philippines, and Spain. Then, from the 23rd to the 26th, we had our final retreat at the Hermitage, with the theme “Calling.” This retreat invited us to deepen our commitment to Jesus and to make Him the center of our lives. We were reminded of our identity and the importance of bearing witness to our sense of belonging.
On the 27th of June, we joyfully celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with our junior brothers. During the same celebration, our sisters Judith Yuku, Cathy Makolo, and Rachel Mwanakunda renewed their vows in the hands of Sister Anastasia Puji Hustuti, delegate of the Superior General. The Mass was celebrated by our brother Bonifasius Payong, ss.cc.
On the 28th, we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart with all the brothers and sisters from the Philippine communities at the novitiate house. This also marked the thanksgiving of the completion of the Preparation of Final Vows Program. The day began with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Michiaki, the Provincial of the Philippines and Japan, followed by a joyful meal together as members of one SS.CC. family.
Last but not least, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you—and to the entire Congregation—for this wonderful opportunity to journey together.
To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Honor and Glory.
07/28/2025