The new offices of the International Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) and National Councils were blessed on 18 December 2022 by Father Gregorio Bañaga, CM, the new Vicar-General of the Congregation of the Mission. Both offices are situated in the Marian Center which stands significantly beside the parish of St. Vincent de Paul, one of the oldest parishes in the Philippines.
The occasion was graced by the presence of Sister Maria Ana Rosario G. Evidente, DC, Visitatrix of the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise de Marillac – Asia and Father Peter Solis, CM, Visitor of the Congregation of the Mission, Philippine Province and their respective Curia; the Spanish Provincial Visitors, Father Santiago Azcárate, CM – Zaragoza, Father Jose Manuel Villar, CM – San Vicente de Paul, Madrid, Father Teodoro Barquin CM, former National Director of the Children of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines and other Vincentians and Daughters of Charity from different local Communities and their respective VMY Officers and representatives.
Father Rolando Limjoco, CM, VMY National Priest Advisor and International Deputy Director-General of the Association of the Miraculous Medal together with Fr. Francisco Nicholas Magnaye, CM, VMY Deputy Director-General spearheaded the preparations for the blessing. They were assisted by the International and National Officers of the Association: Sr. Amadita Pinzón Almendra, DC, International Delegate from Panama and the VMY International Volunteers, Odile Anguidjo – French-speaking from Cameroon, Lassana N’djai – Portuguese- speaking from Guinea-Bissau and Joseph Nguyen Cong Thanh – English-speaking from Vietnam. Significantly, former international volunteers of the VMY from the Philippines were also present for the occasion: Ana P. Escaño, Pamela Mantuhac and Claire S. Balo who is also currently the Councilor for Asia-Oceania. (It is perhaps good to note that these three ladies studied at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu City, a school administered by the Daughters of Charity.)
Sr. Martha A. Gamolo, DC, VMY National Advisor, led the singing of the O Mary Conceived Without Sin in different languages which filled the air in the area, accompanying the candles lit throughout the blessing. She was joined by the National Executive Board, in particular, Erl Julen Tulod, President and Sharlene L. Tulda, Auditor as well as by the rest of the attendees.
The blessing was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist which was presided by Father Bañaga, with the Vincentian Fathers joining him as co-celebrants. An agape concluded the event at the Co Po Ty Hall of the nearby Adamson University, which is administered by the Congregation of the Mission.
