Today, 54 years ago (Aug. 15, 1964), Fr. Aloysius Schwartz founded the Religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mary in Korea to serve the Lord through the poorest of the poor, with the mind and heart of Christ. These young women profess the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and service to the poor after successfully completing their formation.After his demise in 1992, his charitable works and legacy continues, thanks to the ever-faithful, vibrant, and joyful Sisters of Mary whose numbers continue to grow. They are now serving in Korea, Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, and very recently in Tanzania, Africa.
Thousands of children had already benefited from the free, high quality education they received from the Sisters of Mary's Boystown and Girlstown campuses. Many are gainfully employed and are now professionals and able to help their families break free from a life of poverty. Thanks to our beloved Fr. Al (now Venerable Aloysius Schwartz) for weaving our lives together in a beautiful tapestry showing how God's grace and love works in willing instruments. We will be forever grateful to God and to our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the Poor for the gift of your life and the Sisters of Mary in our lives!
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| A Sister of Mary prays before the tomb of Fr. Al beneath the altar at the Virgin of the Poor Chapel in Silang, Cavite |
More than providing the children with a better education, Fr. Al's vision is to give them a holistic formation and that includes developing their full potentials physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In his own words, "rather than building buildings, and establishing Boystowns and Girlstowns, doing medical works...if I could give God, give the Church just one saint, this would be a greater accomplishment, a greater feat." This is his ambition and he wants each child to have this ambition too. Truly, the glory of God is man fully alive! A motto he adapted from St. Irenaeus which becomes the motto of the children.
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| Children at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown Campus in Biga, Silang, Cavite, Philippines enjoying their special day with their Ate/Kuya (Alumni) last Sunday, August 12, 2018 |
Since its foundation, every year, it has been a tradition for the Sisters to celebrate the children's birthday every August 15. It is a day filled with joy and celebration made more special through special food, games, individual gifts, and birthday cakes making every child the happiest in the world.
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| Click this photo for the Official Video (54th Foundation Day with the Graduates in Silang, Cavite) courtesy of the Host Batch (2008) |
Happy Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
Happy 54th Foundation Day to the Sisters of Mary in Korea, the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, and Tanzania and Happy Birthday to all Fr. Al's children!
And a million thanks to all our benefactors and friends! To God be the glory!
