Move to beatify FG great grandaunt up

MANILA, Philippines – A move for the beatification of a great grandaunt of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who reportedly established a congregation in Iloilo, is underway.

In its official news website, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported that the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary are working for the beatification of their congregation’s founder, Mother Rosario P. Arroyo, OP (Order of Preachers).

The congregation, based in the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Molo, Iloilo City, is asking the public to inform them of any favors or miracles which have been granted through the intercession of their founder. They also appealed to Filipinos to pray for Mother Arroyo.

Arroyo, whose full name is Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo, is the only daughter of wealthy pious parents Ignacio Arroyo and Maria Pidal. She was born on Feb. 17, 1884.

Sister Leonor Gerlito, a member of the Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission, said Fr. Samson Silloriquez, from the Vatican, visited their congregation and met with Mother Visitation Alecto, their former superior general and now head of the commission.

“We actually launched our movement in 2004 but it was only recently when we were assisted by Vatican City-based Fr. Sam Silloriquez,” Gerlito told CBCPNews.

Mother Arroyo entered the religious life in the Beaterio de Sta. Catalina in Manila, made her profession on Jan. 3, 1914, and later taught at the Beaterio of Manila and in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

She distinguished herself by a solid piety, love of prayer, life of poverty and strict religious observance.

Despite her family background, she was a great lover of poor people and did much to alleviate the miseries of the poor, materially and spiritually. She was known for her assiduous mortifications, unceasing prayers and purity of life. – Evelyn Macairan