On 13 October 2018, the Daughters of St. Paul in the Philippines celebrated their 80th anniversary of foundation with the theme Celebrating God’s Fidelity.
The celebration was preceded by a triduum of meditations and prayers recalling God’s goodness and faithfulness at the beginning of the foundation and throughout the following 80 fruitful years. Remembered in a special way were the first three FSPs to arrive in the Philippines: Sr. Edvige Soldano, Sr. Elena Ramondetti and Sr. Maria Cleofe Zanoni.
SSP provincial, Fr. Jose Aripio, who presided over the Anniversary Mass, complimented the Congregation for its dedication to its ministry down the years. In her speech of thanks, FSP provincial superior, Sr. Delia Abian, said: “As we start this yearlong celebration, we want to relive in our hearts the same desire that animated our first sisters. Like Blessed James Alberione and Venerable Thecla Merlo, we want to be people capable of listening to the heart of God, the heart of the Church and the heart of humanity, thus becoming new apostles who make the Word of God spread like fire in the hearts of the people, especially those on the peripheries of our society.”
In the different FSP branch houses in the Philippines, the sisters celebrated the opening of this anniversary year with their benefactors and collaborators by organizing various animation activities and book missions, as well by distributiing a variety of Paulines products and Bibles in local languages, especially to poor families.
