DMII 23rd Biennial Convention as Pilgrims of Hope

The Daughters of Mary Immaculate International (DMII) had just concluded its 23rd Biennial Convention last August 16, 2025 in Baguio City with the theme “DMII: Pilgrims Of Hope In The Jubilee Year.” Attended by nearly two thousand members and officers from all over the country, the Convention was truly a demonstration of a journeying together by the DMII-pilgrims “as one family in Mary in the direction towards her Son Jesus who is the Source of Hope”. This was the message reiterated by Rev. Fr. Jeronimo Ma. J. Cruz, the International Chaplain of DMII “to walk in solidarity seeking deeper communion with God and experience His love in order to share that love to others in communities we serve through the DMII’s mission thrusts of Prolife, Upliftment of Women Workers, Assistance to Prisoners’ Families and Their Victims, Morality in Media, and Youth Welfare.” Known to many as “Fr. Jerome”, he emphasized that the DMII “is not just a women organization but a family where everyone is important.” He elaborated saying that, “When God created us, He sees each one of us is important and so we celebrate each other’s gift and journey together as one family in Mary as pilgrims of hope, a hope that does not disappoint us because it is anchored in the love of God, the Source of Hope.”

Rev. Fr. Richard P. Lagos, Director of Hope Foundation, and the Parish Priest and Rector of the Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus Parish, Nimpicuan, Nueva Ecija also shared his insights and reflections in his Inspirational Message to the theme, “DMII As Pilgrims of Hope: Walking With Mary For The Life Of The World.” One take from Fr. Lagos was his using metaphor of the DMII’s charism as “uniquely suited to a midwife hope giving birth of hope, o ‘yung nagluluwal ng pag-asa to families, parishes, and the wide world.” “This Jubilee Year calls us to be pilgrims of hope and Mary is the first pilgrim of hope in the New Covenant; her ‘yes’ to the will of God is without hesitation, and without doubt of any uncertainty to the unknown future.” Fr. Lagos asked the DMII to be like Mary and be an icon of hope, “listening, responding, and moving.”

Two other speakers also graced the day-long event who are both known by their devotion to the Blessed Mother. One was the famous journalist Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo who emphasized “self-care of our human body as God’s masterpiece of His creation so that whoever we meet on mission may see God in us.” She emphasized Christian life as one in complete surrender to God’s will, a kind of faith that embraces Mary’s fiat to God’s plan. The other was Fr. Robert Reyes also known as the “Running Priest”, a devotee of Mary having held a “Run for Mother Mary and for Motherland” advocacy asking Mary’s intercession in his campaign against corruption and environmental issues. His running 50kms a day across the country’s islands had developed in him his motto: “the streets are my pulpit, the trees are my altar, the universe is my church.” He was inspired by the early apostles like St. Paul who did not have convent to go home but only in people whom he walked and slept with and immersing with their lives.

At exactly 5 o’clock in the afternoon, the convention hall occupied by a huge crowd in all corners was then filled with awe in knowing that “where two or three are gathered in My Name, I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist rightly followed uniting the DMII of diverse gifts into one common faith and hope binding them together as one Body, the People of God. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was presided by no less than the Bishop of Baguio, Most Reverend Robert T. Cruz with other priest-speakers concelebrating. In his homily, Bishop Cruz recalled that women in the Old Testament were not treated equally with their male counterparts; they always assumed the subordinate roles. It was not until the time of Jesus that women got recognized of their worth, included them in his ministry, became the first witnesses of his resurrection, and given a crucial role as messengers of the Good News. Either affirmation as it may sound, or a renewed confession of faith, the 23rd Biennial Convention is indeed a HOPE at work to the pilgrims that they are in the DMII. (Cynthia C. Chu, Circle Regent, DMII)