A group of TA members and friends in Bacolod, Philippines, joined to celebrate the Voto de Covadonga 2023 in Our Lady of Peace parish with the theme: My Grace is Enough for You.
This year we make our Pilgrimage in this church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage and the shrine of Padre Pio to bring before our Blessed Mother the offerings of our mission and spirituality “so that the communication that should exist with La Santina may never be interrupted; so that the obligation to give an account to our Lady (…) be always recognized”.
We also come in thanksgiving for the fruitful International Meeting of Member Associations last July 18 to 28, 2023 and the 19th General Assembly held in Los Negrales, Madrid, Spain from August 1 to 15, 2023. At the end of the General Assembly, was the election of the new General Governance of the Teresian Association, and the first Filipina, Gregoria Ruiz, an Ilonggo from Iloilo, was elected President. It was indeed providential that a new era begins as we prepare for the 100 years of the Teresian Association‘s pontifical approval.
September 9, 2023, was the second activity after the pandemic organized by TA Bacolod, a very special day for all of us. Friends and families invited headed to the shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for this very important renewal of our commitment to Our Lady. Her image was beautifully decorated as befits a beloved mother after the celebration of the Nativity on September 8.
Moments of prayer and supplications
Our Voto de Covadonga had three moments. The first was to refresh ourselves, especially the new invitees, of the reason why we are making this pilgrimage explained by Jelly Villamor.
The second moment was an encounter through prayer and supplications to Our Lady of Covadonga and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Excerpts from the letter of Maite Uribe reminded us of the particular qualities St. Pedro Poveda envisioned for the enterprise he founded and who would carry it forward.
During the time of Fr. Poveda, supplications were part of Novena prayers so we also sought refuge in her motherly protection and trustingly begged her protection as we face many challenges that are around us now and those that lie ahead of us. To our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, we plead for our troubled land for peace to reign in families, workplaces, communities, Churches, government officials, among nations, especially between Ukraine and Russia.
To our loving Mother, we asked her to accompany the journey of the new Governing Council led by Ria Ruiz as they begin to fulfill the new mandate entrusted to them for five years. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide them when they make crucial decisions to fulfill the mission.
Into the hands of Mary, we also entrusted all the preparations being done for the upcoming Celebration of the 100 years of our Pontifical Approval in 2024. May this commemoration strengthen our commitment to continue this Holy Work, blessed by the blood of martyrs Saint Pedro Poveda and Blessed Victoria Diez.
May we always be grateful for all the graces we have received; we thanked her, especially for granting us new vocations and we ardently pray that all those who have started to know the Association may have the courage and openness to pursue their call.
Marian songs
The third moment had two moments, the first was a sharing of our Marian experiences that changed our lives and relationship with Mary and Jesus. Many of us lived out the Marian sayings of Josefa Segovia and also encouraged others to do so. Praying the Rosary was also a very important moment in the family and the only recourse in moments of suffering, knowing that we are never left alone.
The second moment was spent to offer flowers to Our Lady where each one was given ample time to talk to Mary while we serenaded her with common Marian songs. The niece of Jelly Villamor, May Joy, and Rose Ann Reyes, members of their parish choir serenaded Mary with their heartwarming songs to the delight of the pilgrims.
The third moment was very much appreciated by the group and highlighted as the most touching part especially the sharing of Marian experiences that evoked each one's love and devotion to Mary.
To end our Marian pilgrimage, we made a solemn profession recalling the words of Josefa Segovia: “I firmly believe that, with the grace of the Lord, we will continue this Work which is so much His; I have faith in your unwavering adherence; I have faith in your apostolic works; I have faith in your desires for holiness; I have faith in the unity of this small church of our Work with which we long to enrich the great and unique Church of Jesus Christ; I have faith that Our Lady, as a loving Mother will always be the Queen and Master of the Teresian Association.” (J. Segovia, July 20, 1938).
A salu-salu followed at the Bahay Kubo of the parish and we shared food brought by everyone.
As we returned home, we could only sing our Magnificat after a day that was well spent filled with love, and laughter as we bonded fraternally with one another. We thanked the brother of Jelly for bringing us to the venue and back home. Hanggang sa uulitin.
Roli Jover, Bacolod.
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