“Today, we are in a celebration, a celebration of grace for us as a congregation, as a spiritual family of St. Marie Rivier, a grace for the church and for the world.” These were the words of Sister Samuelita P. Enriquez, the Provincial Superior, on that festive day of July 15, 2022. It was the day when the Presentation of Mary Sisters of the Philippine Province, together with bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters, PM lay collaborators, representatives from the students, alumni, friends and benefactors gathered together to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of canonization of Saint Marie Rivier.

The event started with a Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao and concelebrated by five other bishops from the Archdioceses of Digos, Kidapawan, Mati and Borongan, priests and religious brothers and sisters. In his homily, Bishop Valles said, “Today, truly we are called by the flavor…by the inspiration of faith… something beyond ourselves…something that we cannot even explain fully. Further, he stressed “Slowly, we get the picture that this is not about Marie Rivier from afar but somehow we have been touched by Marie Rivier, this recently canonized saint, by the presence of the PM Sisters, and by the mission and work that they do.”

Following the celebration of the Holy Mass was a motorcade from San Pedro  Cathedral to the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) for the reception. At the reception. Sr. Samuelita P. Enriquez, pm, welcomed everyone to the second part of thanksgiving. She said that to make the celebration more festive and memorable, we gather for this thanksgiving reception as she quoted, “The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table”.

A tribute to Saint Marie Rivier was shown through a video presentation followed by an awe-inspiring testimony which added more meaning to the celebration. It was the story of Mr. Al Degamo and his wife Mrs. Gemma Degamo about their “miracle child”, Angel Marie Vier.  After that each group had a photo opportunity with the Degamo family.

Truly, it was an event that was celebrated together in thanksgiving and in faith with everyone present feeling that same happiness of the PM Sisters inside out, and with one voice saying, Viva Saint Marie Rivier!

For the Presentation of Mary Sisters, the canonization of their foundress, St. Marie Rivier, is a confirmation of what they know and believe. Their gratitude stemmed from the universal church which officially recognizes the holiness of St. Marie Rivier and shares her to the world. As St. Marie Rivier said, “Be an open Gospel, where everyone can read Jesus Christ!”