4 Myanmar novices make their first Religious Profession in Philippines

Four Myanmar novices, Bernadette Ja Hkawn, Veronica May Zaw Aung, Rosa N-bu Ja Nan and Cecilia S Seng Htoi Ra made their first religious vows in the St. Joseph of the Apparition (SJA) Congregation at Holy Cross Parish, Amparo Village, Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Sister Rita Khin San Aye, General Councilor accepted the vows of the young sisters at a Mass presided over by Father Roger S. Positar, Parish Priest of the Holy Cross Parish.

In his homily, Father Positar said, “Be ready where you are going to be sent. You are encouraged to live out your charism of the Congregation and put meaning to it.”

Sister Cecilia S Seng Htoi Ra SJA and Sister Beranadette Ja Hkawn were assigned to Myanmar/Philippines Province.

Sister Veronica May Zaw Aung SJA and Sister Rosa N-bu Ja Nan SJA were assigned to Israel/Palestine province.

St. Emilie de Vialar founded the SJA congregation in 1832. The congregation’s motto is “Devotedness unto Death” and the mandate is “Go, with what you have and will receive, do all the good you can.”

As of 2021, there are 232 native SJA nuns and 6 Filipina nuns.      

There are 35 SJA convents, 5 centers for HIV/AIDS patients, 4 orphanages, 2 boarding houses for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) children, and 3 homes for the aged, in Myanmar.

There are four convents and two schools in the Philippines. The communities in the Philippines belong to the SJA Province of Myanmar.