27/07/2026
330th Definitive Foundation Anniversary of Beaterio de Sta. Catalina de Sena now Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Philippines
We are celebrating today the 330th Foundation Anniversary of the Beaterio de Santa Catalina, Precursor of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena of the Philippines (OP) 🎉
"In the City of Manila, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Holy Spirit of God, the Lord and life-giver, inspired some forms of community life among women, that were connected with the spirituality of the Religious Orders who were the evangelizers of the Philippine Islands from the end of the 16th century.
The forerunner among them was Francisca, daughter of Simon de Fuentes and Ana Maria del Castillo y Tamayo, born in Manila in 1647, widowed and childless at a young age, became a Dominican Tertiary in 1682 with the name of Francisca del Espiritu Santo.
In 1686, she together with 3 companions, opted to form a community life under the Rule of the Third Order of St.Dominic and with the approval granted in 1688 by the Master General of the Friars Preacher, Antonio Cloche.
The Beaterio, dedicated to the great teacher, St. Catherine of Siena, WAS DEFINITIVELY ESTABLISHED ON JULY 26, 1696 WITH THE PROFESSION OF MOTHER FRANCISCA AND 7 OTHER BEATAS. They benefited from the guidance of the Dominican Friars, among whom was Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo, author of a “Breve Relacion de la Fundacion y Progreso del Beaterio de Santa Catalina de esta Ciudad de Manila”,
published posthumously in 1911.
The Institution endured difficult trials in its first years, even with expulsion of its members from the place for 2 years. But the difficulties were largely external, arising from conflict of jurisdiction between the Dominican Order and the Archbishop of Manila. The Beaterio resumed its life and activity in 1706, and took the form as a Colegio with the intention of providing education in the faith and Christian perfection to the young native girls and daughters of poor soldiers in the Islands.
From this Beaterio came the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, with the Generalate House in Quezon City, Philippines.
The personality of Mother Francisca was the unifying element and promoter of much Christian vitality. As foundress, she brought forth exemplary strength and virtues: the theological and cardinal virtues, evangelical counsels and other annexed virtues particularly practiced by her.
Mother Francisca died in the peace of the Saints on the 24th of August 1711 between 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning and in the afternoon she was buried in the Church of San Juan de Letran. Her tomb was over the steps of the main altar, on the side of the Gospel."
SOURCES: (Positio, pages 1-2
MOTHER FRANCISCA: A WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH, RESOLUTE HOPE, and STEADFAST LOVE: A WOMAN FOR OUR TIMES. Positio. 479, Report and Conclusions of the Theological Commission)
Your CMSP Family is one with you on this very special day of your congregation. Many more God-filled years to come!
