With a Mass followed by an encounter with life testimonies, Bacolod, Philippines, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Pontifical Approval of the Teresian Association on April 17, 2024, the date of the 127th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Saint Pedro Poveda.
The Holy Eucharist, at the Sacred Heart Church, was presided over by Msgr. Ronald Quijano, and concelebrated by some TA priest-friends. The celebration was attended by TA members in Bacolod, families, friends, collaborators, youth, seminarians, and some religious congregations.
Msgr Quijano, in his homily, shared his personal experience with the TA, highlighting his visit to the Crypt of Saint Pedro Poveda and Venerable Josefa Segovia when he visited Spain. He discussed the life of Saint Pedro Poveda as a priest, educator, and humanist. Msgr. Quijano emphasized what Saint Pedro Poveda did for the people of Guadix and how he touched their lives, specifically that of Manolo when he said that “He (Saint Poveda) made him a person”.
He also mentioned how Saint Poveda empowered laypeople, women, and teachers and encouraged teachers in his time to be living crucifixes in the classroom. Msgr. Quijano appreciated the presence and contribution of TA members to the Church and wherever they are. He ended his homily by encouraging TA members to continue to be salt of the earth and light of the world.
Testimonies
The celebration was also an opportunity to introduce the TA to others. TA brochures were distributed to the mass goers and guests. A reception and a short program followed at a hall inside the Sacred Heart Seminary. Imelda Sebastian read the message of the Sector Director Lucia Subaldo thanking everyone for their presence during the celebration. Videos about the TA were shown. The testimonies of Leila Magalona, an ACIT member in Bacolod, and Jearim Famoso, a seminarian on regency who is a Pedro Poveda Foundation Scholar, on how TA made an impact on their lives were among the highlights of the celebration.
Jearim shared how the Teresian Association helped him during his seminary years. Through the scholarship, he was able to learn more about Father Poveda's teachings. The experiences, teachings, and writings of Fr. Poveda, apart from the other Saints who inspired him, helped him become a better person.
Leila Magalona, an ACIT member, recalled how she met the association through Lucia Subaldo, who happened to be her professor in college. It was Dr. Subaldo who brought her to Poveda Center and introduced her to the Teresian Association. Her regular visits and participation in the prayers, study, recollections, celebrations, as well as rest & recreation (R and R) of the TA Bacolod, made her decide to be part of the Teresian Association. She was inspired by Father Poveda's words, writings, and teachings, which motivated her to live a meaningful and purposeful life being salt of the earth and light of the world. It made her realize that she is indeed gifted to give. Her being a TA member made her appreciate her role as an educator, a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, a co-worker, a lector, a commentator, a choir member, and a layperson who is fully human but totally of God. She found Father Poveda's words striking: “Be God’s instrument, nothing more, nothing less.” She became a better person because of the Association. Indeed, Saint Poveda's spirit lives on in the life and mission of the members of the Teresian Association.
Challenge
Before the program ended, Rolinda Jover thanked everyone who joined the celebration and expressed that the presence of each one made the celebration more meaningful. The song "¡Levántate!" was sung to culminate the beautiful celebration of TA Bacolod on the 100th anniversary of the Pontifical Approval of the TA. Everything is grace and we went home with the challenge to live out the theme “Arise, go forth, share the charism.”
TA, Bacolod City, Philippines.
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