In February 2026, the communities of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna in the Philippines gratefully celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of the congregation, recalling two centuries of mission, service and fidelity to the charism of their foundress, St. Joaquina de Vedruna.
Philippine Delegation House
On February 28, 2026, the Delegation House, together with the Tagaytay community, celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of our Congregation with a Eucharist and a snack .
The Mass was celebrated at the Holy Family Parish in Quezon. Samuel H. Canilang, CMF, and six concelebrating priests. Different religious congregations of sisters joined us in this meaningful event. Also in attendance were some parishioners, our neighbors, friends, benefactors, former student interns on scholarship, former student workers and VFI members.
The theme of our celebration was the Bicentenary motto: “Generous Love: Inspiring Mission.” With hearts overflowing with gratitude and souls lifted in praise, we gathered at the sacred altar to celebrate a momentous milestone: two hundred years of God’s grace, love and faithfulness to the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna.
Two centuries ago, St. Joaquina, guided by the Spirit of God, courageously embraced a mission of love and service. Her life, rooted in prayer, poverty and charity, became a living witness to the Gospel, inspiring generations to respond generously to God’s call. Today, her legacy continues to light our way, reminding us that generous love, lived faithfully, can transform lives, communities and the world.
As we celebrated this Bicentennial of grace, we were invited to reflect on the profound gift that the Congregation represents for the Church and for the world, and to give thanks for the Lord’s faithfulness during 200 years of our life and mission. It was not only a commemoration of history, but also a living call to embrace our own vocation with renewed courage, generosity and faith. May we, inspired by the example of St. Joaquina, commit ourselves to live lives of service, with hearts open to the cry of the poor and with hands that work with love for God and neighbor.
In the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, we humbly offer our thanksgiving for all the blessings of the past, for the guidance and strength we receive in the present, and for the hope and courage we carry into the future. We pray that the Lord will continue to sustain our Congregation, deepen our fidelity to our vocation and strengthen our witness of generous love, so that our mission will continue to inspire future generations.
In his homily, Fr. Sammy highlighted that, through our charism of prayer, poverty and charity, our sisters have faithfully carried out our mission in education and in various platforms of forming people to serve the community, giving preference to those who have some kind of need, lack or difficulty; forming minds and hearts with wisdom and virtue; and in the care of the sick, bringing comfort, healing and hope to those in need. We also promote integral health care. He also invited us to reflect on our charism of prayer, poverty and charity in the light of the wisdom of the Popes and the signs of our times.
Immediately after mass, we gathered at the neighborhood covered court, where a simple snack of Filipino delicacies was offered. We had a short program to entertain the visitors while they shared the snacks. One of our dormitory student interns, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Santo Tomas, performed three songs, while our Tagaytay children presented a dance number. We had a simple but very meaningful celebration.
Sr. Marilou M. Manicad, ccv
Tagaytay
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna, the Tahanan Vedruna Children’s Center (Hogar Vedruna) of Tagaytay held an activity on February 15, 2026 to introduce St. Joaquina de Vedruna to 50 mothers and 2 fathers from three marginalized areas of the locality.
After the singing of the Tahanan Vedruna children entitled “Welcome to the Family”, two Vedruna sisters gave the talks.
. Judy presented St. Joaquina as an exemplary mother, who cared responsibly for her children; a mother whose concern was focused on the welfare of her family. Her care and concern for children has been passed on to today’s Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna, who founded the Children’s Center to shelter and protect poor, vulnerable and abandoned children from abuse and exploitation.
St. Joaquina was also presented as a model of religious life and as a servant, who served Jesus wholeheartedly through her brothers and sisters, manifesting a love that is never enough.
. Rosie presented a brief history of the founding of the Congregation 200 years ago and spoke of the Foundress, St. Joaquina, who gave herself totally and entrusted to God the founding of the Congregation, offering all the goods she possessed.
She also introduced the founding of the Vedruna Sisters in the Philippines in 1972 and the first Spanish Sisters there, their mission among the Hansen’s (leprosy) patients and the creation of the dormitory for young college students in Manila, called “Our Lady’s Home” Dormitory. This was a dormitory that offered each resident a familiar environment, a “home away from home,” the same home where Our Lady of Mount Carmel dwells.
After the talk, a snack was served, and each participant received 5 kilos of rice, which serves as a week’s supply of food for the family.
Sr. Judith L. Padasas, ccv
Pigcawayan
With gratitude to God, the Pigcawayan community of Cotabato will celebrate the Bicentennial on February 26, 2026.
We began with the Eucharistic celebration at St. Blaise Parish, our parish, presided by our new bishop in Cotabato, Bishop Charlie Inzon, OMI, DD, together with Bishop Emeritus Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD. Four diocesan priests and the chaplain of the Bureau of Jail and Penology concelebrated the Eucharist.
During his homily, Archbishop Inzon reminded us that we are the living reflection of St. Joaquina: the hidden sacrifices, the tireless service in education and in our mission, and the constant love for the poor embody the charism and spirit of our Foundress. She also said that we are like a candle ready to burn out, a powerful reminder that true charity shines brightly when it is given completely.
After the Eucharistic celebration, we had a simple fraternal gathering at our convent. Our children from Balay na Panaob presented a creative number and a presentation, as well as the students from Pigcawayan National High School.
This event is a renewal of mission, a courageous yes that stands as a beacon of hope for future generations. It is not just about the past; it is our call to continue to shine brightly, radiating compassion, reflecting Christ and carrying forward the legacy of our Foundress, St. Joaquina de Vedruna, in today’s world.
Sr. Mary Antonette Eyan, ccv
