MODULE 1 – Venerable Rosario of the

Visitation, Foundress: Congregation of

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

the Most
1. Be familiar Holy
with the Rosary
life, works, of Molo,
virtues and holiness of Mo, Rosario Arroyo.

Philippine.
2. Be aware of our calling and mission as heralds of the Gospel after the example of Blessed
Mo. Rosario Arroyo O.P.

3. Develop abilities to carry out the tasks left by Mo. Rosario to every Dominican Inspired by
the charism of St. Dominic.

Activity 1
Explain on your own understanding the following sentences

1. “Live in poverty, simplicity and humility, you will gain heaven for eternity.”
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2. “Love and obedience to God are two greatest things that matter.”
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Life and Works:

A Brief Biography

MOTHER ROSARIO ARROYO, OP

Prepared by: MRAC (Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission)

I. Birth and Childhood

The year 1884 was a period of great unrest. The Philippines was struggling to free herself from
the fetters of Spanish oppression. Of proud Malayan race, the Filipinos could no longer tolerate
the foreign dominion. The quest for freedom continued fearlessly amidst the turmoil. A new
hope was born.

On February 17, 1884, Mother Rosario was born in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. She was the
only daughter of a wealthy couple, Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona Maria Pidal. She had four
brothers. Two died in infancy. Jose, the older, brother was a lawyer and became a senator in
1917. Mariano, the younger sibling, was a physician and became the governor of Iloilo in 1928.

She was baptized at Sta. Ana Church in Molo on February 20, 1884 by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor
and was named Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo. Her first teachers in morality were her parents
who developed her innocent vice and childhood pranks into Christian values. A noteworthy
tradition of her family was almsgiving. Mother Rosario participated in this corporal work of
mercy. This made her aware of the misery and plight of the poor and be more compassionate
with them.

The greatest obstacle to her piety could have been their affluent standard of living. With this
wealth, she could have lived the life of a vain princess but she lived without superfluity.

II. Education

Mother Rosario first attended classes at the Colegio de Sta. Ana, a private school in Molo. In
preparation for her first communion, she was transferred to Colegio de San Jose administered
by the Daughters of Charity. She stayed at the Colegio until she finished her elementary
education. She was then sent to the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina, the oldest boarding school in the
country in Intramuros, Manila. She learned music and was good in playing piano and organ, the
popular course for the elite of her time.

III. Religious Life

At the age of 27 she entered the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Sta. Catalina de
Siena. After six months of postulancy, she received the religious habit and was given the name
Sr. Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion. She made her first profession on January 3, 1914.
Sister Rosario was assigned to work and teach in Colegio de la Nuestra Senora del Sto. Rosario,
Lingayen, Pangasinan. It was in this place that she became sickly. Knowing about her poor
health, her parents visited her in Lingayen. Sister Rosario told them that the cause of her
sickness was the direct blowing of the wind through the broken windows of the convent and
school. Don Ignacio had the building fixed immediately. Sr. Rosario went home for rest. After
her recovery, she went back to a convent school in Manila. She took charge of the boarders and
taught at the same time. She did her assignment with enthusiasm.

Usually her brother, a senator, would visit her before going home to Iloilo and would bring her
letters to their parents. One day, he went home without informing Sister Rosario. On that day
her mother died. She accepted the death of her mother with equanimity. She believed her
mother died a happy death because she was a very pious woman.

Don Ignacio asked her to spend her vacation in Iloilo. To console her father for the death of her
mother, she acceded. Her father was happy to have her around. He even pleaded with her to
stay with him but she was determined to return to the convent and continue with her religious
life. The father advised her to bring for the convent as much money as she wished but she
refused. She was detached from material goods and focused her attention to what was
spiritual.

IV. Foundation in Molo

Early in their married life, Don Ignacio and Dona Maria wanted to give part of their wealth to
support a religious foundation. The Most Rev. James McCloskey, DD, the last American Bishop
of Jaro, was aware of their intention. He made proper preparation for the foundation of the
Beaterio del Smo. Rosario in Molo, Iloilo City. On July 24, 1925 he obtained the necessary
permission from the Holy See. Through his intervention, the Congregation of the Dominican
Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena allowed Mother Rosario Arroyo and two other Sisters to pioneer
the foundation. They left for Iloilo on February 18, 1927.

Don Ignacio and Dona Maria gave up their residence in favor of the Sisters. A free school was
built nearby. Soon after many homeless girls came into the door of the convent and they were
taken in, cared for and educated. Many of them joined the Congregation later.

During World War II, Mother Rosario was advised by the family, relatives and friends to send
home the Sisters and girls. She refused to do so telling them, “No, we live together and if we
die, we die together”. The Sisters were forced by the Japanese to leave the Motherhouse. The
convent and school were converted into a military garrison. The Sisters and their ward took
refuge at the parish church of Molo , Iloilo City . On March 10, 1945 the Motherhouse was
bombed and destroyed by the Americans believing there were Japanese staying there. The
charity school was also destroyed. The Sisters felt devastated that their convent and school
were reduced to rubble. When the American soldiers began shelling the church, some Sisters
went out of the sacristy. Upon seeing them, the soldiers stopped firing.

After the war the rebuilding of the convent became the priority of the Sisters. When they had
settled down from the chaos of rebuilding, Most Rev. Jose Maria Cuenco, D.D. the successor of
Bishop James McCloskey, asked Mother Rosario to let the Sisters teach in the schools,
particularly in parishes. Sisters were sent to College to earn their teaching degrees. Formation
of the youth was a cherished nucleus in the heart of Mother Rosario.

During the first General Chapter of January 3-6, 1953, Mother Rosario was elected as Superior
General. She stayed in office until her death on June 14, 1957.

V. Pious and Virtuous Life

Before entering the convent, she nurtured her prayer life by frequently visiting the Blessed
Sacrament. She was often seen absorbed in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament reserved in
their family chapel. Prayer was her way of asking God's blessings for the family and other
peoples. She would invite her neighbors' children to pray the rosary kneeling while she led the
prayers.

As a religious she had a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to the Lord in the Blessed
Sacrament. Her devotion to the Holy Eucharist inspired her successors to have in the chapel the
daily exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. She loved the Blessed Virgin Mary
very much that when she was not occupied with her duties as superior, she would spend time
praying the rosary. Every image of the Blessed Mother received an Ave Maria every time she
passed by it.

Mother Rosario was a soul full of charity. Her love for God was expressed clearly in her love for
her neighbors. Her love for the poor, the needy and the sick was outstanding. She would
personally care for the sick Sister. If hospitalization was needed, she would call for her brother
Mariano, a physician at the St. Paul's Hospital and would order the best food for the sick Sister.
She treated her Sisters equally, lovingly.
As she advanced in years she also advanced in the love of poverty. She was very observant of
this vow. Her love for simple things and her detachment from material and worldly goods could
not go unnoticed. She used with great care her belongings and those of the community. She
wore darned and patched clothing and had very few of them. Vanity did not have a place in her
heart.

VI. Death

Mother Rosario died peacefully on June 14, 1957 at the age of 73 after receiving the Holy
viaticum and anointing while being surrounded by her Sisters. Her funeral was attended by both
the ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries and the poor people whom she loved and for whom she
dedicated her life. She was buried in Molo cemetery and later was transferred to the
Motherhouse chapel.

Activity 1.
What values are identified to Mother Rosario Arroyo O.P.

Activity 2:
Identify what is being asked in the following statements/questions. Write your
answer on the space provided:
________________1. The only daughter of a wealthy couple, Don Ignacio Arroyo and Dona
Maria Pidal born on February 17, 1884.

_______________ 2. The name given to Mo. Rosario in her baptism at Sta. Ana Church in Molo
on February 20, 1884.

_______________ 3. Mother Rosario first attended classes in a private school in Molo.

_______________ 4. The oldest boarding school in Intramuros, Manila where Mo. Rosario was
sent for

College and there she learned music.

_______________ 5. What Congregation did Mo. Rosario entered at the age of 27 to undergo a
religious formation.

_______________ 6. After six months of postulancy in the Congregation, Mo. Rosario received
the

religious habit and was given the name___.

_______________ 7. He is he last American Bishop of Jaro, made proper preparation for the
foundation of the Beaterio del Santisimo Rosario in Molo, Iloilo City

_______________ 8. On World war II, when the Japanese forced the Sisters to leave the
Motherhouse

where did they seek refuge?

_______________ 9. It is the first General Chapter when Mother Rosario was elected as
Superior

General.

_______________10. It is the way of Mo. Rosario in asking God's blessings for the family
Congregations, and other peoples.

Activity 3:
Among the virtues of Blessed Rosario choose one and reflect it to your own self,
Guide in reflection:

1. Why you choose that virtue? How does it apply to you?

2. How that virtues could be apply in our current situation?

REFERENCES

Dominican Sisters, Hawaii Region, Sr. Jeanette Loria, Sr. Visitacion Alecto, OP, Sr. Virgilia
Rivero, OP, Sr. Ascension Zambra, OP, Sr. Eleanor Garlito, OP,

https://sites.google.com/a/holyangelscolma.org/dominican/our-founder

Uniquely Filipino Devotion & Piety Chronicles, September 11, 2018,

https://pintakasi1521.blogspot.com/2018/09/venerable-mother-rosario-arroyo-de-la.html
 MODULE 2 – Jesus Challenges Us to
follow Him
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
1. Recognize that there are prevailing modern day beliefs and practices
that can cause sin.
2. Develop abilities to detect situations and occasions that would lead us to sin.
3. Pray more for the strength to overcome temptations and daily discernment
for one’s actions and decisions.

EXPLORE We Celebrate Life

Obstacles may be viewed in two ways, as stumbling blocks or as stepping
stones. The following story narrates the story of a woman faced with obstacles, yet
have turned such obstacles into an opportunity to win

The Power to overcome obstacles.

Jessica Cox holds the Guinness World Record for being the first armless person in aviation
history to earn a pilot’s certificate. Overcoming physical constraints, she is now recognized
internationally as an inspirational keynote speaker. Apart from flying airplanes, driving cars and
living a normal life using her feet because of lack of arms, she also pursued a degree in
psychology at the University of Arizona.

Her two-and a half week visit to Tacloban in the Philippines, which began on February 24,
2014, gave a renewed sense of hope to those directly affected by typhoon Yolanda. She was
able to raised funds for PWD typhoon victims through Handicap International and personally
encouraged the Filipinos to rise again after the devastating typhoon.

Aside from being a pilot, Cox is a black belter in Tae Kwon Do, a diver, surfer, an

equestrian, gymnast and top dancer. She was recognized in 2013 as one of the 10

“best pilots” on Plane and Pilot Magazine and was awarded at the Inspiration awards for
women in 2013.

“I’m very proud of the confidence I’ve developed over the years,” Cox said during the
airport press conference. “I’ve been able to use it as an opportunity to inspire others. The
journey of self-acceptance is what I’m most proud about”.

Jessica has travelled to 20 countries sharing her inspirational message” Think outside the
Activity 1
shoe”.

This right footed woman has changed our perception about physical disability and upheld
the inherent dignity of a human person.
Follow up questions:

1. How does Jessica look at her obstacle- a stumbling block or a stepping stone?
Explain your answer?

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2. Do you consider Jessica as an exemplary person? Discuss your answer.

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3. Have you also experienced several obstacles in your life? How did you handle those obstacles
for your advantage?

FIRM UP We Celebrate God’s Word

 Challenges are meant to make us stronger and to have deeper faith in God.

The Temptation of Jesus

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for
forty days and forty nights, and afterwards He was hungry. The tempter approached and
said to

Him. “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread”.
He said in reply, “It is written: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that
comes forth from the mouth of God”. Then, the devil took him to the holy city and made
him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to Him, “If you are the son of God,
We throw yourself down. For it is written:” He will command His angels concerning you, and
with their hands they will support you, lest You dash Your foot against the stone”. Jesus
answered him, “Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God, to the test”.
Then, the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of
the world in their magnificence, and he said to Him, “All these I shall give to you, if you
will prostrate Yourself and worship me”. At this, Jesus said to him, ‘Get away, Satan, it is
written: The Lord your God, shall you worship, and Him alone shall you serve”. Then the
devil left Him and behold, angels came and ministered Him.

Mt. 4:1-11

Celebrate God’s Message!

Jesus Our Perfect Model in the Struggle Against Temptation.

Obstacles are obstacles for the faint-hearted. Jessica Cox emerged as one of the most
celebrated and admired persons because of the fact that she chose to look at the gifts she
possessed rather than at what she lacks.

The temptation offered to Jesus by the devil happened after Jesus’ baptism, and after He
fasted in the desert for 40 days before the start of His public ministry.

The Role of the Holy Spirit.

 The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, and that was the same spirit who led
Jesus in the desert to pray and fast. It is clear then, that Jesus’ preparations for His work of
salvation are to be accomplished under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

He triumphs over temptations because the Holy Spirit abides in Him.

We too are beset by Temptations. There are two sources of temptations:

1. Concupiscence or proneness to evil within us, as resulted from the fall of Adam.
-it become sinful only when we give in to it.

2. Something outside of us (outward temptation) it is the devil (tempter) who is determined to

snatch us away from God. Prayer and the Eucharist serve as our weapons against temptations.

The Call to Follow Jesus

We are called to follow Jesus within our own particular context. Following Jesus has become
more challenging because the moral fiber of society has considerably been weakened by sin.

Sin- is essentially a rejection to God and His divine plan by transgressing God’s

divine laws. It is a refusal to love and to grow as God’s children. Sin is always personal because
it is the person himself/herself who decides to stray away from God. At the personal level, we
commit sin when we desire our own gratification to the extent that we forget to love and serve
our neighbor. But, sin is not just a private, personal and individualistic act that harms the
sinner; it injures both the sinner and the community.

Thus, Sin has a social dimension which affects other as well either directly or indirectly. It
can cause harm directly to another individual, or create an atmosphere that brings evil
conditions to others.

Sin is not something we ignore, or joke about. Sin hurts us and our relations with God and
others. Its effects depend on gravity (of sin), that is, whether it is venial sin or mortal sin.

Mortal sin _ the act is something serious with sufficient knowledge and full consent. The
gravity of mortal sin caused us to be separated from God, from ourselves and from others.

Venial sins_ when we simply harm or hurts but not breaking our relationship with God.
Though they are considered light than “mortal sin”, it cannot be taken lightly because, first,
they offend God.
 Sin is real but the grace of God is greater than our sin. If we sincerely approach Jesus in
the sacraments (of Reconciliation) confess all our sins, Jesus will heal us and reconcile us with
the Father and the Church.

Sense of Sin and the Commitment to daily Prayer.

One of the tragedies of our time is the loss of the sense of sin.

What does it mean to have a sense of sin?

Sense of sin _means having a correct notion of sin and a keen awareness of its presence in our
life. The loss of the “sense of sin” happens when we refuse to recognize that within us there is
the tendency to sin, or we refuse to recognize our sinfulness before God.

There are these factors that caused the weakening and eventual lost of the sense of
sins:

1. Secularism- a perspective that excludes God from one’s life and activities. It is a conscious
rejection
of God and religion and sees it as compatible with scientific progress and a new
kind of humanism.

2. Consumerism - in a word of St. John Paul II, consumerism arises out of “an excessive
availability of
every kind of material goods for the benefit of certain social groups which easily
makes people slaves of possession, and of immediate gratification, with no other
horizon that the multiplication of the things already owned with others still better.
It has made people want more and buy more even of what they acquire is not
essential to life.

3.“Everybody is doing it” mentality. Since every day we are bombarded with news about
stealing in
the government, about acts of infidelities among married couples, of young people
who freely engage in sexual relationships as if it is the most natural thing for
young people to do.

The mystery of sin “hates the light ( Jn 3:19;1 Jn 2:9) and we sinners, are often ashamed to
take it seriously.
But we need to reflect deeply on sin:
1) to truly appreciate God’s everlasting merciful love,
2) to correct common distorted ideas of God, the Church, conscience, law and the
sacrament of
Reconciliation. CFC 761

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS.

While the concept of an inventory of moral offenses has roots in antiquity, Pope Gregory I
first enumerated the seven deadly sins in the late sixth century. For his list, Gregory drew
from the ideas of Evargius Ponticus, a fourth century Christian monk who identified eight
evils humans should resist. Broadly speaking, the seven deadly sins function as ethical
guidelines.

1. Lust is a strong passion or longing, especially for sexual desires.

The Bible speaks about lust in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue
righteousness, faith, love [and] peace...”

Chastity or self-control cures lust by controlling passion and leveraging that energy for
the good of others.

2. Gluttony is an excessive and ongoing eating of food or drink.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all
to the glory of God.”

Temperance cures gluttony by implanting the desire to be healthy, therefore making one
fit to

serve others.

3. Greed is an excessive pursuit of material goods.

The Bible says the following in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness;
be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you
nor forsake you.’”

Charity cures greed by putting the desire to help others above storing up treasure for
one’s self.

4.Sloth is an excessive laziness or the failure to act and utilize one’s talents.
 Solomon spoke of sloth in Proverbs 6:6 saying, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her
ways and be wise.” The Bible also mentions sloth in the following verses: Proverbs 13:4,
Proverbs 24:33-34, Romans 12:11-13, Colossians 3:23 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Diligence or zeal cures slothfulness by placing the interest of others above a life ease and

relaxation.

5. Wrath is a strong anger and hate towards another person.

The Bible speaks about wrath in Romans 12:19, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but
leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the
Lord.”

Patience cures wrath by one first understanding the needs and desires of others before
acting or

speaking.

6. Envy is the intense desire to have an item that someone else possesses.

The Bible says the following in Proverbs 14:30, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy
is rottenness to the bones.”

Kindness cures envy by placing the desire to help others above the need to supersede
them.

7. Pride is an excessive view of one's self without regard for others.

The Bible says the following in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “...Let not the mighty man boast of his
might...but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...”

Humility cures pride by removing one's ego and boastfulness, therefore allowing the
attitude of

service.

DEEPEN
 We Celebrate the Teachings of the
Church

The Mystery of Sin. But beyond the stark factual reality of sin, we must recognize that sin
is not simply “doing something wrong,” or “making a mistake” which we can easily rectify
at will. John Paul II describes it as follows:

CFC 761
Clearly sin is a product of man’s freedom. But deep within its human reality there are
factors at work which place it beyond the merely human, in the border-area where human
conscience, will, and sensitivity are in contact with the dark forces which, according to St.
Paul, are active in the world, almost to the point of ruling it

(RP 14).

We Celebrate Holiness
St. Albert Chmielowski

Born in Igolomia near Kraków as the eldest of four children in a wealthy family, he was
christened Adam. During the 1864 revolt against Czar Alexander III, Adam’s wounds forced the
amputation of his left leg.
His great talent for painting led to studies in Warsaw, Munich, and Paris. Adam returned to
Kraków and became a Secular Franciscan. In 1888, when he founded the Brothers of the Third
Order of Saint Francis, Servants to the Poor, he took the name Albert. They worked primarily
with the homeless, depending completely on alms while serving the needy regardless of age,
religion, or politics. A community of Albertine sisters was established later.
Pope John Paul II beatified Albert in 1983, and canonized him six years later. His Liturgical
Feast Day is June 17.

Franciscan Media, https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-albert-chmielowski/

TRANSFER: Let’s Pray

Catholic Saints, St Albert Chmielowski, Nechelle Cruz Lopez,
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/87327680253078525/

We Believe!

Activity 2:

1. Based on the example of Jesus, how can we overcome temptations?

2. How does the sacrament of Reconciliation help us respond positively to Jesus’ call to follow
him?

3. How can a life of daily prayer help us regain our sense of sin?
Activity 3:
Give the counterpart/s virtues for every Deadly sin, and propose concrete actions to combat
such vices.
7 Deadly Sins Heavenly Virtues Concrete actions to do.
Lust

Gluttony

Greed

Sloth

Wrath

Envy

Wrath

Activity 4: IN MY OWN WORDS

Answer the questions that follows:

1. How do we resist falling into the clutches of sinful lifestyle and structure?
2. If our moral standard is Jesus, how can we imitate Him best?

3. How does sin hurt our relationship with God and others?

Activity 5
Relive the episode of Jesus’ temptations. Using the table below write the three temptations that
the devil offered to Jesus on the first column and Jesus’ response on the second column. On
the third column, write your own response to the devil.

Temptation offered by the Response of Jesus to Your response to the devil

Devil to Jesus The devil

Activity 6:

We Celebrate Our Commitment

Express your vow to respond positively to Jesus’ call to follow Him through a Pledge
Commitment. State the steps you will take in order to live out your vow or commitment.
Activity 7 My Prayer

Make a prayer for Jesus imploring the grace of strength and perseverance to enable us
overcome the daily obstacles of our life.