The Superior General of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, Mother Maria Goretti Lee, SPC, together with the First Assistant General, Sr. Emily Louise del Castillo, SPC, paid a canonical visit to Surigao City from March 6-8, 2023.

The Mother General was accompanied by her entourage which included Sr. Lilia Therese Tolentino, SPC, the Provincial Superior of the SPC Philippine Province; Sr. Ma. Nilda Masirag, SPC, Provincial Assistant for Education; and Sr. Adelina Javellana, SPC, Provincial Assistant for Health Care.

The Mother General and her entourage was warmly welcomed by host communities – St. Paul University Surigao and St. Paul Surigao University Hospital – upon arriving at the airport where the SPUS High School Drum and Lyre Corps performed a short presentation, followed by the sight of a sea of students waving green and yellow flaglets, ending with the arrival honors by the CAT officers and the BS Criminology students.

Welcome Program and Cultural Presentation

To officially welcome the Mother General, her entourage and the SPC Sisters from the different communities in Mindanao, St. Paul University Surigao organized a three-part program at the Basic Education New Gymnasium on March 6, 2023, 4:00 PM.

The Program was graced by the Bishop of Surigao, Most Reverend Antonieto Cabajog, DD; Regional Director of the Department of Tourism-Caraga Region, Mrs. Ivonnie B. Dumadag; and the Honorable Surigao City Mayor and President of the SNC-SPUS Alumni Association, Engr. Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II.

After the formal welcome program, St. Paul University Surigao presented a cultural gala show entitled Bahandi nan Mindanao (Mindanao’s Gift) which focuses on showcasing the rich culture of the different regions in Mindanao where SPC communities are located.

Campus-Hospital Tour and Recreational Activities

The second day of the Canonical Visit marked the Campus-Hospital Tour in which Mo. Maria Goretti Lee and her entourage toured around the Main and Basic Education Campuses of St. Paul University Surigao, specifically visiting the buildings of the Grade School, Junior High School, Senior High School, and College Departments. Moreover, the esteemed guests visited the University’s Cultural Heritage Center, housing prized historical artifacts of Surigao del Norte.

At 3:00 PM, the Mother General and the SPC sisters departed to Dani’s Island Resort located in Brgy. Day-asan, Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte where they did recreational activities such as kayaking, swimming, beach volleyball, and mangrove sightseeing.

Concluding the second day was a dinner hosted at the Bishop’s House in the Pastoral Center.

Interactions with the community members and families

On the last day, most of the SPC communities in Mindanao had a dialogue with the Mother General where they shared their lived experiences relative to their respective ministries. Following the dialogue were the performances by the SPC Sisters in Mindanao that depicted different socio-cultural matters.

In the afternoon, a meet-and-greet with the families of the SPC sisters from Surigao, together with the Student-Assistants Alumni, was held. The families of the SPC sisters from Surigao Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte and Siargao Island had an opportunity to interact with Mo. Maria Goretti Lee, expressing their gratitude to the SPC Congregation for their great contribution to the community.

Concluding the visit was a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by Msgr. Cabajog at the St. Paul Surigao University Hospital Chapel.

The canonical visit of the Mother General to the Philippines is set to end on March 23, 2023. The visit aims to gain knowledge on the status quo of the SPC communities in Mindanao regarding matters of faith, worship, morals, and church discipline.