In the Philippine Delegation, the feast of St. Joaquina de Vedruna, celebrated on May 22, had a special touch in 2026, as it was the year of the Bicentenary of the Congregation she founded.
Pigcawayan
On May 22, 2026, feast of St. Joaquina, we Vedruna laity, family and friends gathered in Pigcawayan for a Eucharistic celebration presided by Reverend Father Dante Feria, DCC. It was a simple and solemn celebration to thank God for the gift of Joaquina for 200 years.
It was a day full of joy, gratitude and togetherness as one family. We shared the celebration of the Eucharist, and a gathering at the Vedruna house for lunch. It was a very joyful event, as all the attendees cooperated during the celebration.
Reverend Father Dante reminded us of Joaquina’s gift in the Church and in the life of the congregation. We thank Joaquina for her example, her life and her selfless love for humanity. The presence of Vedruna in the community of Pigcawayan, especially in the mission with the indigenous people of Renibon, is a testimony of the “love that never says enough”; to this day, the generous love of God and his mission continue to inspire us through the charism and presence of Vedruna. Long live the Vedruna family!
The day concluded with hugs and remembering the glorious moments of the day when we, the Vedruna laity, joined the Vedruna family.
Sr. Brenda M. Grapinag, ccv, and Marlene Barcebal, Vedruna Laity
Tagaytay: triple celebration of May 22nd
May 22, 2026 was a memorable triple celebration for the Vedruna Family in Tagaytay City.
First, the commemoration of St. Joaquina’s day. It began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist officiated by Fr. Royce Quintillan, OFM Cap. He delivered a very moving homily in which he mentioned the close relationship of St. Joaquina with the Franciscans, due to her desire to embrace poverty; moreover, she had taken the religious name Mother Joaquina from Father St. Francis.
Secondly, the celebration for the Bicentenary of the foundation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna. Sisters Judy and Rosie spoke about St. Joaquina before the Mass: her values and her motivation for founding the Institute, “for the glory of God and the good of the neighbor”. They also shared about the charism and the founding of the Philippine Delegation in October 1972. They also spoke about the sisters’ involvement in parishes, schools and the leprosarium.
Third, we celebrated the 21st anniversary of the founding of the Santa Joaquina de Vedruna compound where the seven former squatter families in Tagaytay City now own their plots of land. Thanks to the efforts of the Vedruna Sisters, who solicited donations from their relatives and friends in Spain and were able to purchase a plot of land, they subdivided it into eight plots for the seven families and reserved one for multipurpose activities such as holding meetings, special events and occasions, and Eucharistic celebrations.
One of the heads of the families shared that, for him, St. Joaquina is a mother. Thanks to her, the Vedruna Sisters came to Tagaytay City and got them plots of land for housing. Now they are no longer afraid of being evicted again and again or having their houses demolished by the government authorities because, thanks to the presence of the sisters, they have become legal owners of this house and this plot. There is joy and peace when they have something to call their own.
After the Eucharistic celebration, we gathered to enjoy a sumptuous lunch prepared and shared by each family. The Sisters arranged for friends to donate a roasted suckling pig, which Filipinos call “lechon de leche”. Some sisters from the Delegation and the AIPN House community also joined us in the celebration.
Sr. Judith Padasas, ccv
