Mission
News and Events
2023
ROME, GENERALATE
VIOLIN CONCERT IN THE GENERALATE
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
SPC HANOI
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN VISITS SPC HANOI
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Hanoi on his first visit to Vietnam since becoming the top U.S. diplomat. On Saturday he met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as they discussed strengthening ties between the two nations.
He also came to visit our sisters in Hanoi. He said, “I met with the Sisters at St. Paul de Chartres Convent, an organization serving the Vietnamese community, where I also visited their kindergarten and the kitchen where they prepare meals for those in need. Their work is inspiring.”
CANONICAL VISITS
THAILAND
EAST TIMOR
PHILIPPINES
INDONESIA
Sr. Helena Nam, Daegu Province, Graduated from Musica Sacra
Sr. Helena Nam, the melody composer of our 325th Anniversary theme song, “Abounding Grace” recently graduated from the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra here in Rome with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude. One of the highlights of the mini concert recital was her composition of Ave Regina Caelorum, a fusion of the Gregorian and modern arrangement. Congratulations dear Sr. Helena.
New Students
Sr. Marietta Kattiya Chongsomchai Sr. Teresa Nguyen Thi Mai Sr. Dorine Anick Velo Onjaniaina Sr. Lucie Marie Claire Razafinara Thailand Wyoming, USA Madagascar Madagascar
SPC IRELAND - ENGLAND
Canonical Visit of Mother General
SPC GENERALATE, ROME 🇮🇹
Golden Jubilarians:
Mother Maria Goretti LEE
Sr Nati RUELOS (Philippines) Missionary in Rome
Sr Maria Luisa ESCANLAR (Philippines) Missionary in Congo
Silver Jubilarians:
Sr. Rosa Young Suk YUN (Seoul)
Sr. Marie-Thérèse RASOLONANTENAINA (Madagascar)
On the Feast of St. Pio, the Eucharistic celebration for our jubilarians in Rome was simply and solemnly celebrated.
The main celebrant was Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawłowski, a Polish archbishop and diplomat of the Holy See, currently serving as an official of the Secretariat of State; Mons. Miguel Ángel Olaverri Arroniz, SDB, first Metropolitan Archbishop of Pointe-Noire, Congo; Msgr. Karel Kasteel, a Dutch prelate in the Vatican and former secretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and Dean of the Apostolic Chamber; Very Rev. Charles Phukuta Khonde, CICM Superior General and some CICM priests who come to say mass in the generalate everyday and Monsignor Mario who is also working in Vatican, who brought the special papal blessing from Pope Francis.
Meet our sessionists
Our Sisters from 16 countries are here in Rome for their spiritual renewal. This renewal program started last September 7 and will end on October 17, 2022. After their spiritual nourishment here in Rome they will proceed to France to visit our cradle.
SPC GENERALATE, ROME 🇮🇹
Our Vietnamese sisters in the Generalate are currently making their annual 8 days retreat. Their spiritual guide is Father Clement Phạm Đăng Mẫn, abbot of the order of the Vietnamese Cistercians in the Monastère de Notre Dame de Fatima (Monastery of Our Lady of Fatima) in Switzerland.
New Missionaries for Ethiopia and Congo
The new missionaries for Ethiopia and Congo will have their intensive missionary formation program from August 16 to 29, 2022 in the Generalate.
“New Wine and New Wineskins” in Religious Formation
Formation for Formators
The Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres Generalate is holding an international assembly on Formation for Formators from July 5 to August 5, 2022 here in Rome and in France.
The Formation for Formators Assembly is participated in by 28 formators from 14 countries of 18 Provinces, Region and District.
SPC GENERALATE, ROME 🇮🇹
July 27, 2022
Dear Sisters,
I am back from my trip to Mongolia and I hasten to write to you after I have received information that a strong earthquake which was originally referred to as a 7.1 magnitude earthquake made its mark in the northern provinces of the Philippines. Its tremors were felt in Manila, the metropolitan center of the country which is actually 400 kilometers from the epicenter. There were aftershocks and recorded landslides and collapse of structures.
I know that you will include our Sisters and the people most affected by this recent natural calamity in your prayers. The provinces most affected are Abra, Ilocos Sur where we have schools and in Benguet, where we have a hospital.
God bless us for our resolute care and concern for one another.
Thank you.
Sr Maria Goretti Lee
SPC AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
I. FORMATION OF SUPERIORS
The SPC Philippine Province has recognized the vital role of local superiors in the life of the congregation, thus the holding of the annual Formation of Superiors Assembly and the In-Service Training for new superiors to prepare them for their important and challenging leadership mission.
The Formation of Superiors Assembly was conducted in the virtual mode. A total of 62 Superiors attended the event—58 superiors based in the Philippines and four in the foreign missions under the Philippine Province. The gift of technology made this gathering of superiors possible. Speakers from different parts of the country as well as one from the United States were able to share their knowledge and expertise. The first two days were devoted to the conferences of Msgr. Noel Deslate, a clinical psychologist and therapist, live from Roxas City, Capiz. He shared on the topics: The Person of the Superior, Developing Skills and Competencies (especially on conducting dialogue), Handling Difficult Personalities, Proper Communication and Counseling, and The Community as a Mini-Church in Synodality. On the third day, all the Sisters of the entire Philippine Province attended the half-day conference on Liturgy given by Fr. Genaro Diwa, the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy. In the afternoon, live from USA, Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, discussed Holistic Care for a Healthy Lifestyle. He answered many questions of the Sisters regarding the coronavirus, vaccination, booster shots, health protocols, protective measures, etc.
On the fourth and last day, Fr. Erwin Cabilan, SDB, sharing from Cebu, talked on the role of the superiors as spiritual animators, with his topic “Spiritual Leadership: Superior as Teacher & Prophet.” The “Session with the Provincial Superior” was like a “State of the Province Address.” Sr. Lilia shared information and news about the Congregation and Province. She gave reminders and recommendations on the living out of our life of consecration, especially regarding the practice of the vows.
In her Closing Remarks, Sr. Lilia thanked the superiors for generously and humbly accepting the challenging mission of being the spiritual leaders and animators of their local community, which, no matter how small, can be very difficult and demanding, sometimes discouraging and disheartening. She said, however, that the blessings and graces of being spiritual leaders and animators far outweigh the pains, trials, and crosses that are part and parcel of living in a community of persons of diverse characters, personalities and backgrounds, persons with varying needs, demands, and priorities. Sr. Lilia assured the superiors of the Council’s prayers, support, and guidance.
II. In-service Training for New Superiors
The 12 newly appointed superiors underwent a two-day in-service training in the Provincial House on June 16-17, 2022. This was the first onsite assembly since the lockdown in 2020. Sr. Lilia and the Ministry Assistants took turns in discussing the contents of the SPC Superiors’ Manual. The Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Bursar discussed and walked through the different documents and reports that are needed to be submitted to their respective offices.
The In-Service training ended with a stimulating open forum. The honest, open, and truthful sharing of concerns, questions, experiences, and reminders was both disturbing and challenging. In her Closing Remarks, Sr. Lilia cautioned the superiors about allowing the spirit of materialism, secularism and consumerism influence them and the sisters in their community. She told them not to delete from their vocabulary words like self-discipline, sacrifice, mortification, asceticism, simplicity of life, austerity, frugality, and the like. She bemoaned the fact that our life has just been too comfortable. She said:
“May this disturbing thought and challenge serve as a springboard for all of us to pray harder, discern, and reflect on our lifestyle.”
SPC GENERALATE, ROME 🇮🇹
SPC CONGO MARIAN ACTIVITY 🇨🇬
SPC ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹
Ethiopia Mission Turn-over
Turn over of DMI and MMI Administration of the hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.
SPC FRANCE 🇫🇷
Workshop Program for Professional Health Care Givers in Chartres
Recently, the professional health care givers in Chartres, France held a workshop program, “Take care of carers.”
Health professionals from the region, Eure-et-Loir were invited to participate in this prevention and well-being workshop. Our sisters in the health care ministry in Chartres who are actively doing their share during the height of the pandemic joined this workshop represented by Sr. Marie Joseph Thoại Ngân.
SPC GENERALATE, ROME 🇮🇹
ROCCA DI NETO YOUTHS VISIT GENERALATE
The young boys and girls of Rocca di Neto in Italy came to visit the Generalate after they had their audience with the Holy Father, Pope Francis along with the young people of Italy.
They were accompanied by their parish priest, Don Oreste Mangiacapra, Deacon Valerio, and Sr. Wendelyn.
Don Oreste remarked that their visit in the Generalate was a moment just like their visit in the Vatican which left an indelible mark on the hearts of young people. He said, “together with the sisters, we lived moments of joy, celebration and profound communion, After thanking Mother General for her hospitality, after a moment of prayer in the chapel, we sang songs of praise and glory to God; thanking him for the wonders he gives us everyday. We conclude by saying that this journey is #unbelsgenodisperanza for the church and for humanity. #seguimi “- follow me, the theme of their meeting with the Holy Father)
Monsignor Mario Codamo from the Vatican Secretary of State (working with Cardinal Parolin) also came to welcome them.
New Students
Sr. Madeleine NGUYEN Thi Thu Thao | Sr. Francine-Marie VOAHANGINIRINA | Sr. Thérèse Jean Vianney HUYNH Thi My Nuong (MYTHO) (MADAGASCAR) (MYTHO)
Sr. Marie Albert TRAN Thi Tham Sr. Anne NGUYEN Thi Lo (HANOI) (HANOI)
HOLY WEEK EVENTS
GOOD FRIDAY
HOLY THURSDAY
PALM SUNDAY
SPC UKRAINE 🇺🇦
Our three Sisters together with two Polish Sisters (with mothers and their children in the Center for Mothers – 40 people in a bus) who left the city to seek refuge in another village near Poland have arrived safely and were welcomed by the priests in the seminary. They continue to do their missionary work in helping the refugees in any way they can in the kitchen, in taking care of the children and the sick as well as in the Liturgy.
Our sisters who chose to stay behind are quite safe with the lay people.
Let us continue to pray for their safety and pray unceasingly for PEACE and the end of the war in Ukraine.
SPC CONGO 🇨🇬
Meet the new Postulants in Congo.
SPC ETHIOPIA 
Against all odds such as the pandemic and the civil war in Ethiopia, finally, our sisters arrived in Ethiopia to start their mission in Addis Ababa hospital. Mother General brought the three SPC missionary nurses to Ethiopia. They were welcomed by the Cardinal and bishop as well as the personnel and parishioners of Addis Ababa.
2021
IN PARADISUM
FLOODS IN INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES
CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE
Celebrated Mass at the SPC Generalate Chapel
His Eminence, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, recently celebrated Mass at the SPC Generalate Chapel for the sisters who are preparing for their respective missions.
He delivered a very meaningful mission Ad Gentes homily.
SPC GENERALATE, ROME
1-31, October 2021
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes 5:16-18
Following the initiative of the Holy Father last May 2021, and in celebration of our 325 years of foundation, let us be united in the recitation of the Holy Rosary together with all SPC Sisters, Friends of Saint Paul and lay partners around the world, for the end of the pandemic, and in a special way, to pray fervently for those most closely affected by it.
During each day of October, the month of the Holy Rosary, every SPC PDR/ Country take turns in leading the prayer, in the language and manner used locally. United in supplication to our Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we pray for the resumption of social life, work and the many human activities that were suspended during the pandemic.
SPC HANOI, VIETNAM
The Covid 19 pandemic in Vietnam has left a lot of loss and pain… Along with solidarity in prayer, the Sisters collaborated with parishioners to provide meals for free. The meals were delivered to people in quarantined and blocked areas. The sisters also share food for those living around without discrimination of religion, knowing that they are doing it for Christ himself.
To expand the mission of charity, the Province has opened a free care center for terminally ill patients who are lonely (palliative care). This is a gift of God and a flourish for the Province in gratitude for 325 years.
MEET OUR NEW MISSIONARIES
to
*Ethiopia*
*Crotone-Italy*
*Generalate-Rome*
left-right: Sr. Wilfrid (Philippines), former missionary to Indonesia; Sr. Marie Reine (Thailand), former missionary to Australia; MOTHER GENERAL; Sr. Francesca (Philippines), former missionary to Cameroun
left-right: Sr. Francesca (Danang,Vietnam), former missionary to France; MOTHER GENERAL; Sr. Wendelyn (Philippines); Sr. Gloria (Saigon, Vietnam)
left-right: Sr. Clara (Seoul); MOTHER GENERAL; Sr. Nativité (Saigon, Vietnam)
HAITI
REQUEST FOR PRAYERS FOR OUR PEOPLE IN HAITI
We ask everyone to keep uppermost in your prayers the peoples of Haiti as well as our sisters. May they remain courageous to keep on to the torch in spite of the disheartening situation they find themselves in. May they persist to be living witnesses of peace, pardon and reconciliation in a world that remains blistered and marked with suffering.
MOTHER GENERAL'S VISIT TO ETHIOPIA
Mother Maria Goretti Lee, together with Sr. Emily Louise del Castillo went to Ethiopia for an ocular visit.
The missionaries going to Ethiopia: Sr. Francesca from the Philippines, former missionary to Cameroun; Sr. Wilfrid from Philippines former missionary to Indonesia and Sr. Marie Reine from Thailand, former missionary to Australia. They are currently learning the Amharic language.
SPC SAIGON, VIETNAM
Volunteers to take care of Covid patients
SPC France: Habitat Project
SPC East Timor Flood Mission
Let us continue to pray for them and the victims of the calamity.
SPC Indonesia Flood Mission
Our sisters in Banjarmasin, Indonesia had their flood mission to our Christian and Moslem brothers and sisters.
Banjarmasin is a swampy area. Our sisters brought medicines and conducted free medical services under the tent. Riding in small motorized boats they also distributed food packs to the houses of the flooded areas.
