MISSIONARIES: SVD, SSpS And SSpSAP

(founded by St Arnold Janssen in 1875, 1889 and 1896 respectively)

A pleasant reunion of missionaries took place in the Convent of perpetual Adoration in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, last August 5, 2008. Fr. Joaquim Andrade, SVD of India, now Superior Provincial of Southern Brazil, met with Sister Leonie Pergunta, SSpS from Loay, Bohol presently stationed as procurator of their big College in Uniñao de Vitória, Brazil and three Sisters SSpSAP, Pink Sisters from the Philippines: Sr. M. Socorro Saplala, from Santa Rita, Pampanga, Sr. M. Reparatrix Zafra from Clarin, Bohol and Sr. M. Joselita, Milagros Ramos from Agoo, La Union. It was the 25th anniversary of the convent foundation and the 70th anniversary of religious profession of its foundress and first superior of this contemplative community. Several SVD priests concelebrated a thanksgiving mass with our Bishop, Dom Sergio Arthur Braschi in the presence of many Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit, friends and benefactors of the community. The SVD priests are in charge of some parishes, the SSpS have a big College in the city, while also attending some charitable centers for poor children. Our cloistered branch in Brazil has only one Convent of Perpetual Adoraton: “ Nossa Senhora do Cenácula” in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. As a contemplative congregation we lead a life of prayer and sacrifice and perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to support the mission work of the whole Church, especially of the SVD and SSpS. We have already vocations for the cloistered life originating from several places of Brazil.

We are celebrating the 100th death anniversary of our father and founder, St. Arnold Janssen on January 15, 2009, and also of the first SVD Missionary to China, St Joseph Freinademetz, SVD whose 100th death anniversary was on January 28, 2008. Pope John Paul II canonized both in Rome on Oct 5, 2003.

By the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters
Convento Nossa Senhora do Cenáculo
Nunes Machado, 150
BR-84045-410 Ponta Grossa (Paraná)
Brazil