Ministers to the Sick celebrate foundation anniversary

“You are blessed Siervas.”

The seminarians of the Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary joined the Siervas de Maria, Ministras de los Enfermos (Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick) on August 15 in the occasion of their 172nd foundation anniversary on the Solemnity of the Assumption. Together with the sisters-siervas and with their confraternity, mass was celebrated after which, breakfast was served with chocolates.

Fr. Erwin Blasa, acting seminary rector for the formation year 2023-2024, emphasized in his homily the blessings of being a servant of Mary. He said, “Like Mary, you are blessed. and your blessings are embedded in your name, in your identity. You are blessed because God chose you in MARY; You are blessed because you said ‘yes’ to be Mary’s SERVANTS. You are blessed because you MINISTER hope, health, and healing to the sick, the sad, and those who are suffering.”

Fr. Blasa closes with the words of St. John Paul II to the Siervas in 2002 chapter in Rome, “What distinguishes you is your care for the sick in their homes. When you visit homes, Mary visits homes with you.”

Fr. Erwin Blasa, acting seminary rector of the Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary in San Jose, Camarines Sur, with Mother Blanca Ortiz, SdeM, local superior of the Siervas de Maria, Ministras de los Enfermos in Lagonoy. (Photo : Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary)

During the Eucharistic celebration, the sisters made a renewal of their profession. Mother Blanca Ortiz, the community superior gladly expressed, “We sisters are filled with gratefulness and joy as we celebrate our foundation anniversary. We pray that God will continue to grant us more vocations.”

The Siervas de Maria is an inspiration for the seminarians being called, saying ‘yes,’ and willing to be channels of God’s hope.

The celebration ended with the seminarians’ visit to the sisters’ clinic-hospital where Mo. Blanca assured medical assistance to the seminary community.

Siervas de Maria Ministras de Infermos (SDeM) or Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick is a congregation based in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. Their free health services are offered through their clinics, their ministry to mothers and their families through their birthing home, and their outreach to the sick through home visitations since 2001.