ODN Philippines

First AHE Meeting in Asia Province

May 21, 2013 by odnphil

For the first time in the whole Asia province, AHE (Arte, Humanismo e Espiritualidad) was opened and shared. We are grateful for the generosity and availability of Sr. Ranette Angot, ODN who facilitated whole three-day activity, from May 3 to 5, 2013 at Lestonnac Youth Center. It was fruitful for all the participants.

There were five participants from Japan, two from Vietnam and twenty two from the Philippines. It was a good opportunity that the lay and young people also came to join us in this activity. They were from Nina Maria Learning Center (Lestonnac Youth for Better Future), Xavier University (Lestonnac Flame Circle – XU), Capitol University (Lestonnac Flame Circle -CU) and Lestonnac Peer Circle of Iligan City. Read the rest of this entry »

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First Profession and Renewal of Vows

May 21, 2013 by odnphil

May 15, 2013 was a very special day for ODN sisters in the Philippines. Aside from commemorating the Feast of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, Foundress of the Order of the Company of Mary, they also celebrated the first profession of two novices, Tram and Thieu; and renewal of vows of three junior sisters, Aileen, Phuong Anh and Trang. The celebration took place in Lestonnac Youth Center, Cagayan de Oro City with Fr. Roberto C. Yap S.J., president of Xavier University, as main Eucharistic celebrant together with five other priests from different religious communities. Joined the ODN sisters in this significant celebration were guests from foster families of two newly professed sisters, the staff of Catholic Center Campus Ministry from Iligan City, the staff and young people from Niña Maria Learning Center, some faculty from Xavier University, and other friends. “Here am I, send me” (Is 6:8) was the theme chosen by Thieu and Tram for their first religious profession. It was a day filled with joy, grace and gratitude for those who took or renewed their vows as well as all ODN sisters and those who were present. (Sr. Trang, ODN)

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Celebration of the Feast of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac

May 18, 2013 by odnphil

Manila Community

In preparation for the feast of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, our community in Manila conducted a Triduum, a three-day preparation for the feast day. One of the goals was to help the community and the dormers of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac Residence reflect on selected topics related to St. Jeanne’s life and the Company of Mary. Through the activity we wanted to share to the dormers our identity as ODN sisters, our mission and what we do for the young people. Read the rest of this entry »

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Company of Mary New Website

May 17, 2013 by odnphil

Last May 15, 2013, Feast of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, the Company of Mary launched its new website in Rome.

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Love letter to Filipinos

March 2, 2013 by odnphil

Reprint from: http://opinion.inquirer.net/47047/love-letter-to-filipinos

I am writing to thank Filipinos for the way you have treated me here, and to pass on a lesson I learned from observing the differences between your culture and mine over the years.

I am an expatriate worker. I refer to myself as an OAW, an overseas American worker, as a bad joke. The work I do involves a lot of traveling and changing locations, and I do it alone, without family. I have been in 21 countries now, not including my own. It was fun at first. Now, many years later, I am getting tired. The Philippines remains my favorite country of all, though, and I’d like to tell you why before I have to go away again.

I have lived for short periods here, traveled here, and have family and friends here. My own family of origin in the United States is like that of many Americans—not much of a family. Americans do not stay very close to their families, geographically or emotionally, and that is a major mistake. I have long been looking for a home and a family, and the Philippines is the only place I have lived where people honestly seem to understand how important their families are. Read the rest of this entry »

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ODN Youth Encounter 2012

January 10, 2013 by odnphil

The third “ODN Youth Encounter” on November 30, 2012 marked an important event for the Company of Mary in the Philippines. It was a venue for young people who belong to different ODN groups to meet and deepen on ODN spirituality as had been done in previous years. Aside from that, this year’s activity was also to highlight the 30^th Anniversary of ODN in the Philippines. In line with the preceding World Youth Day and in celebration of the “Year of Faith,” the ODN Youth Encounter this year was themed “Rooted in Jesus, Firm in Faith.”

Some 105 young people from different places participated in this significant event. It started with a collaborative game tracing important events of Jesus’ life, then an input on faith in Jesus followed by group sharing. The day proceeded with activities focused on Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, an example of a life lived in faith in Jesus to the full. The whole activity ended with Tree Planting.

The young people showed their enthusiasm and collaboration in each activity throughout the day. Likewise, they enjoyed and appreciated important lessons they have gained in living their faith. “Though only a day, the experience is so intense as if we had it for a week,” one participant shared. (Trang,odn)