Sisters in Blood, Sisters in Christ - The Talangpaz Sisters

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Servants of God Dionisia and Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz
During the Spanish period,, there were few women who pioneered for a change in the early years of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, then controlled by the Spanish Clergy from the likes of Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, foundress of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, Servant of God Francisca del Espiritu Santo, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and the two sisters who founded the Second Congregation for Filipino women, the Augustinian Recollect Sisters of Manila - the Talangpaz sisters of Calumpit, Bulacan.

The Talangpaz sisters heeded the call to serve the Lord and later founded a Congregation for Filipinas who wanted to live a contemplative life within the cloisters of a convent which was then denied by the Spanish colonial clergy at that time until the foundation of these Congregations. Despite the Controversies and hardships they faced, the sisters, backed up with their unwavering faith to God and courage remained steadfast to their order and worthy to be called Servants of God.

 Sisters in blood, Sisters in Christ

The Talangpaz Sisters are not just blood sisters, but also Sisters for Christ and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Dionisia Talangpaz was born on March 12, 1691 whule Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz on July 16, 1693 in Calumpit, Bulacan, Philippines from the union of Don Andres Talangpaz and Dona Isabel Pamintuan.

The Talangpaz sisters were notably descended from ancient pre-Hispanic nobility on both sides of their family. The matriarchs of this venerable clan may well have been catalonan who officiated at spiritual rites held on a hallowed rock, the meaning of "Talangpaz."

They are the kin of Felipe Songson, a martyr from Pampanga who is one of the companions of St. Pedro Calungsod and Blessed Diego de San Vitores. (1611–1684), of Macabebe, Pampanga was their great grand uncle. A deep devotee of Our Lady of Carmel, he also presaged the special Marian devotion of the sisters. Their maternal grandfather, Don Augustin Pamintuan, figured prominently in the Pampango Revolt of 1660.

The Call they heeded

Driven by inner strength and union of desires, they both offered themselves to the service of the Lord in twofold way of contemplation and action: their lives centered in the daily Holy Eucharist, nourished by the filial devotion of the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel as they engaged in silent hard work in the sanctuary.

The brave sisters Talangpaz left their comfortable home in Calumpit, Bulacan in 1719 in pursuit of their spiritual calling after their Augustinian pastor repeatedly turned down their request for permission to wear the habit of mantelata. Having heard that the Recollects were more amenable to admitting Filipino women to their Third Order, they proceeded to the Shrine of Our Lady of Carmel in San Sebastian de Calumpang in Manila, which had been administered by the Recollects since 1621. They rented a nipa hut in Bilibid Viejo behind the church apse and soon two other native beatas joined them. They also found a sympathetic confessor, Fray Juan de Santo Tomas de Aquino, OAR. In blessed time, the two sisters pleaded to the Friars to don the habit of Mantelatas of the Third Order of St. Augustine which was granted on July 16, 1725.

St. Rita Convent - the Motherhouse of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters
that the Talangpaz sisters founded
In their new life, Mother Dionisia de Sta. Maria and Mother Cecilia Rosa de Jesus, as they were now called, experienced difficulties and trials. They suffered severe interior sufferings which an ordinary heart could not bear. It was only the grace of God that sustained them. yet in humility and silence they bore and lovingly endured them all, telling Fray Diego: Father, it is clear that God and the Most Holy Virgin deigned to test us and purify our souls in the crucible of sorrows. But for now, we must be patient and suffer till Our Lord and His Most Holy Mother will have mercy on us.

Trials and hardships

In God's due time, their immense sufferings turned into joy. The trials blew off. They settled peacefully now in a new house built by the priest, who become their great provider and protector. Quite prophetic were the words of Fray Benito de San Pablo, OAR who spoke of them: Living under God's watercourse, these striving Beatas may increase in number in God's due time and cheerfully hover over the branches of the Biblical mustard.

The Newly founded Congregation

The Congregation of the Augustinian recollect Sisters, which originated in 1719, is the fruit of the missionay zeal of the Augustinian Recollect Fathers in the Philippines. It was canonically established as a Religious Congregation on August 19, 1929 and was declared of juridical autonomy by Pope Paul VI on November 20, 1970. At present, the Motherhouse of the Congregation is located in Plaza del Carmen in Quiapo, Manila, near the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian.

Death and the Cause for Beatification

From the Beaterio de San Sebastian de Calumpang started the growth of the Congregation. The foundation which the Sisters had laid on solid rock continued to flourish and develop even after they were called to their eternal reward-Mother Cecilia Rosa on the 31st of July 1731 and Sor Dionisia on 12th of October 1732. Their remains was said to be buried in an old crypt located below the San Sebastian Basilica. However, due to natural disasters and Wars, the crypt is no longer to be found at present. The cause for their beatification was introduced in Rome through the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1999. At present, the cause is still ongoing.

May the lives of the Talangpaz sisters serves as an inspiration to follow God's call despite the challenges that will come along the way, so in the end, we will have experience His eternal reward that he prepared for us.

Prayer for Favors

 Merciful God, you have called your servants Dionisia and Cecilia Talangpaz to manifest your grace of humility and fortitude in serving your Church, under the mantle of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Grant this favor (mention your intention) united with the loving supplications of your dear courageous and faithful Mother Dionisia and Mother Cecilia, whose glory and joy in your kingdom we ask you to reveal her holiness and grant her beatification through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

(One Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be)

 For all the favors received, kindly report in writing to: 

Beatification Commission
Augustinian Recollect Sisters Motherhouse, St. Rita College
Plaza del Carmen, Quiapo
1001 Manila Philippines

Comments

  1. Rhena Sherra CaranzoJuly 22, 2020 at 5:19 AM

    Hi. Thank you for writing this. However, this is not the official picture of the Talangpaz Sisters. Please view our website to get the official picture. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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