B A L I T A A N

Pope Francis addressed the faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square on the occasion of World Day of Vocations, 2013:

Look! I would like to ask you: have you sometimes heard the Lord’s voice, in a desire, in a worry, did he invite you to follow him more closely? Have you heard him? ... Have you wanted to be apostles of Jesus? We must bet on youth for the great ideals. Do you think this? Do you agree? Ask Jesus what he wants of you and be brave! Be brave! Ask him this!

Behind and before every vocation to the priesthood or to the consecrated life there is always the strong and intense prayer of someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a mother, a father, a community.... This is why Jesus said: “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest”, that is, God the Father, “to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:38). Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer; and only through prayer can they persevere and bear fruit.

Philippine Provincial/Province Chapters

1912-1945              Philippines was under the Mother House in Angers, France
1945-1960              Philippines was under the Los Angeles Province
                            
                            Mother Mary de Lourdes Winkler, until 1958
                            Mother Mary John of the Cross Kroner

1960-1970              Philippine Province was established in 1960. Sr. Mary John
                             of the Cross Kroner served as Provincial until 1970.

1970                    1st Provincial Chapter—Provincial Superior was elected.
                           Filipina. Sr. M. Christine Tan

1971                     2nd Provincial Chapter—Chapter of Affairs

1976                    3rd Provincial Chapter 
                           Theme: The Mission
                           Sr. M. Natividad Banaag was elected Provincial

1982                    4th Provincial Chapter
                                 Sr. M. Natividad Banaag was reelected Provincial.

1984                    5th Provincial Chapter
                          Theme: Called, Consecrated, Sent
                           Sr. M. Guadalupe Bautista was elected Provincial

1990                    6th Provincial Chapter
                           Theme: Zeal Towards the Third Millennium
                           Sr. M. Joan Salamanca was elected Provincial

1996                    7th Provincial Chapter
                           Theme: From Birth … to Rebirth
                            Sr. M. Lydia Ebora was elected Provincial

2002                     8th Provincial Chapter
                           Theme: Lifebearers Journeying with the Poor 
                           Towards Integral Transformation
                           Sr. M. Carmelita Cruz was appointed Provincial

2008                  9th Provincial Chapter
                           Theme: Weaving Compassion and Reconciliation Rooted in 
                            the  Spirituality of the Good Shepherd in Global Solidarity
                            Sr. M. Cecilia Torres was elected Province Leader