The Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help or Misioneras de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (MPS) is a Religious~Missionary Congregation founded in Mexico on September 17, 1934 by a Spanish Redemptorist Priest- Fr. Agustin Nistal Garcia,CSsR and a Mexican Catechist – Ma. Teresa Rivera Carillo who eventually became its first Superior General.
One very interesting fact in the history of the MPS is the mysterious yet profound work of the Spirit since the time of its foundation. Even though Fr. Agustin and Mo. Teresa were two separate individuals who never met personally, through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Congregation was born into the Church, and was granted by the Holy See its approval as Institute of Pontifical right on December 8, 1977.
Through deep faith and hard work of their founders and the first members of the Congregation, the MPS grew and flourished with its presence and missionary work in different parts of the world. They are now present in Macau, India, Philippines, Guatemala, Venezuela, El Salvador, USA, and Mexico.
“The sisters, faithful to the charism inherited from their founders, set as supreme norm of life, the following of Christ the Redeemer as presented by the Gospel and continue His redeeming action, radiating the merciful love of God, to proclaim the Good News to the poor and abandoned.” –MPS Constitution #3
Believing that the Lord, source of their vocation, is continuously calling men and women to serve in His vineyard, the MPS constantly pray and strive for the nourishment of vocations…and consider each sister as a gift.
Last May 28, 2018, two sisters had their Final Profession of the Vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience in a Eucharistic Celebration held at St. Rock’s Parish, Chellekere, Bangalore, Karnataka State, India. It was presided by Rev. Fr. Juventius Andrade,CSsR, and with the presence of the Superior General Rev. Mo. Maritza Josefina Morillo Hernandez,MPS. The sisters were Sr. Darshan Sangeetha Clara I.,MPS and Sr. Jeralda Beck,MPS. Present also was Sr. Ma. Victoria Vivar Flores,MPS who was one of the Filipina sisters who started the MPS community in India in 1998.
In the Philippines, where the MPS was founded in 1982, the sisters led by the Regional Superior Rev. Sr. Myrna Lois Gutierrez Salas offered praise and thanksgiving for a triple celebration last June 23, 2018. First, in the morning, three junior sisters had their Renewal of Vows in a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Yabyabin,OSJ held at the MPS Novitiate Chapel in South City Homes, Biñan, Laguna. Then at 3:00 in the afternoon, once again the sisters gathered together with families, friends, benefactors, mission partners, prayer warriors, and other guests for the occasion of the Perpetual Profession of the Vows of Sr. Ma. Barbara Vivar Flores, MPS, and the 25th Anniversary of Religious Profession of Sr. Noemi Nanta Colendres, MPS, held at the Blessed Sacrament Parish also in Southcity Homes.
The Mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Victorino (Ino) Cueto, C.Ss.R. together with concelebrants: Rev. Fr. Manny Rodriguez, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Willy Golez, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Alex Bercasio, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Brian Espejo, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Leomar Arenillo, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Lhionel Namora, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Rico John Bilangel, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Mhel Dacillo, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Crisostomo Magbitang, SDB, Rev. Fr. Gerard Mascariña, Rev. Fr. John Francis Frederick Manlapig, Rev. Fr. Ariel Jose Garcia, Rev. Fr. Leo Gonzales, OSJ, and Rev. Fr. Gerardo Yabyabin,OSJ, who served as the Master of Ceremony.
With the theme, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to Your Word.”, Fr. Ino discussed in his homily ‘three acts’ namely ~ ‘The Whisper’, ‘The Gaze’, and lastly ‘Perpetual’…drawing inspiration from the Fiat of our Blessed Mother Mary.
Amidst inclement weather… even with thunder and lightning, the celebration remained solemn and grace-filled… a wonderful manifestation of God’s mysterious & loving presence and His abounding mercy.
