The series of Jubilee Celebrations of the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres in the Philippine Province for Sisters celebrating their 60, 50 and 25 years in religious life, began with a Thanksgiving Mass in the SPC Vigil House on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 9:30AM marking the Diamond Jubilee of four Sisters of Saint Paul who are missioned to the congregation’s home for the elderly in Taytay, Rizal.
Bishop Noli Buco, DD, of the Diocese of Catarman, presided over the Eucharist and led the assembly in witnessing the renewal of vows of the Jubilarians: Sr. Mary Carolyn Asistin, from San Juan, Ilocos Sur; Sr. Mary Grace Giles Datoc, from Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; Sr. Kathleen of Jesus Pascual, from Bocaue, Bulacan; Sr. Mary Angelina Rojas, from San Vicente, Ilocos Sur
Below are excerpts from the homily preached by Rev. Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, O. Carm, during the Holy Mass:
Long time ago, in 1965, these Sisters entered the religious institute of the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres and the following year in 1966, they were accepted as Novices… 60 long years ago. And now, 60 years after, they are here in our midst, presenting themselves before our loving and merciful God with hearts full of joy and thanksgiving for the wondrous things the Lord has done for them all these years. And also for us.
Today is a celebration of fidelity … of God’s faithfulness to the covenant, of God’s faithfulness to His beloved brides—our Sisters who fell in love with God and offered themselves in consecration through the evangelical counsels.
More than 60 years ago, our Jubilarians fell in love with their Beloved, Jesus who is our Lord and Savior. Today also is a celebration of love, generosity and kindness. God who loves us first, a God who sincerely loves us. A generous and kind God who calls us, blesses us and sends us.
Our dear Jubilarians, you have lived a fruitful life, and a fruitful life glorifies and honors God.
And still, you continue to bear and share charming fruits… You are like a branch attached to the vine, just like Saint Paul, you may also humbly say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
In the Diamond Jubilarians’ Word of Thanks, delivered by Sr. Grace Giles Datoc, the Sisters thanked Bishop Buco and concelebrating priests for blessing the joyful occasion. They also thanked Sr. Emily Louise del Castillo, Provincial Superior and all the Sisters of Saint Paul for honoring them with their presence and prayers.
The four Sisters also expressed their gratitude to their families, friends, benefactors, collaborators in their apostolate over the years, caregivers, and personnel of the Vigil House for being instruments of God in their lives.
They also boldly declared :
Today, we celebrate not our achievements but God’s unfailing faithfulness. We humbly ask you to continue praying for us, that we may remain faithful to His call until the very end, just as we promised to remember you in our prayers. May God, who has been faithful for 60 years, continue to bless each one of you.
We thank our loving God for the priceless gift of our vocation. For 60 years, He has faithfully guided us through moments of joy and sacrifice, strength and weakness. Through it all, His love never failed and His grace has always been enough.
A fellowship lunch followed the Eucharistic celebration.
Diamond Jubilee in the SPC Vigil House:
A Celebration of 60 Years of Religious Vocation and Mission
PHILIPPINE PROVINCE
Our Lady of Chartres Convent
203 Provincial Road,
1870 Antipolo City
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