Assumption ‘old girls’

WHEN you are a graduate of the Assumption, automatically you are called an “old” girl, meaning you have immersed into the totality of the Assumption education.

This year’s celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Assumption was a recognition for all the “old” girls who graduated from the years 1939–1953. It was awesome seeing these ladies who have sowed and reaped many times over, lived lives in full circle to productive fruition.

Herewith is the tribute of the President of the Assumption Alumnae Association-Bacolod City Chapter Lourdes de Leon to these distinguished ladies:

“Titas, you are Assumption girls forever. When you left the grounds of our beloved school, be it Herran then or Iloilo or San Lorenzo, you took along with you what our very dear nuns instilled in you...

From the moment the bells rang in the early morning when you grudgingly dragged yourselves out of bed, to the time you were told to put the lights off for sleep (I say this especially for the boarders), you went through the routine of going to daily mass, eating what was served, doing study time, reciting the rosary, attending benediction, teaching catechism in nearby public schools, observing the honor system, memorizing bible verses under the eagle eyes of the nuns and praying it would be mother so-and-so's turn so you could do more exciting things while she dozed off or could not hear you mumbling the wrong verses.

Even as you tried to escape or make fun of the things that were in fact building character, the fruits of it all you still bear today — your love of God and the Church, your deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, your prayer life, your service to your family and community, your devotion to duty and love of simplicity.

As wives and mothers, you passed on your Assumption values to your husbands, your children, your grandchildren. As professionals (doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants), you influenced the people you worked with — with your fidelity to duty, honesty, integrity. Many of you have worked long and hard to make life better for others and to help them grow in love of God.

You are leaders, staunch supporters and members of prayer groups — Casa Maria, the OCDS, third order of Carmel. Your apostolates are manifold - Days with the Lord, Thursdays in the seminary, Legion of Mary, Balay Puluy-an, Operation Smile and many more.

You support Church and charitable programs. You see our seminarians through their formation; you are family to our priests and you donate lots for churches or chapels where communities can worship God.

You share your talent, time and treasure generously. Often times you do it humbly, silently and without desire for recognition. What is important is that God sees the goodness of your hearts in both the simple as well as the awesome things you do.

This afternoon, we are here to thank you for sharing the wisdom of your years, for the example you set before us, and for letting what Assumption stands for shine through you.

Please know that we deeply appreciate you and love you as our big sisters. We wish you good health and the special graces of another holy year - The Year of Faith.

Thank you for making the effort to join us on this the feast day of Our Lady of the Assumption! May she continue to guide you, protect you and pray for you as she has always done all these years.

As we discover in our daily life our own fidelity and our capacity for love, we are united to do what St. Mother Marie Eugenie, our Founder, wants of us.”