SMAC Sisters Inaugurate New Convent Building

The Sorelle Missionarie dell’Amore di Cristo, Inc. (SMAC Sisters) formally inaugurated and have their new convent building, Casa San Giuseppe blessed, on March 9, 2026, in Purok 6, Habana Compound, Tugbok, strengthening their mission to care for vulnerable children in the city.

The ceremony was presided over by Davao Archbishop, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, who emphasized that the event signified more than the opening of a physical structure, but a reaffirmation of faith, compassion, and service.

“This is not just an NGO,” Valles said, stressing that the SMAC Sisters’ work is rooted in the love of Christ, which he described as the guiding principle in their care for children.

The new convent, Casa San Giuseppe, was made possible through the generosity of donors and benefactors and was blessed on the feast of Saint Joseph, a detail Archbishop Valles noted as both meaningful and timely.

Founded in 1998 in Davao City, the SMAC Sisters began their mission through parish-based work in Toril under the Caritas ministry. Their early encounters with children living in extreme poverty—many of whom were out of school, malnourished, and exposed to neglect and abuse—prompted them to open their doors to those in need.

What started as a small initiative grew into a non-stock, non-profit childcare institution serving abandoned, neglected, and orphaned children.

Today, SMAC provides a comprehensive support system that includes education from kindergarten to college through scholarships, medical care, psychological support, spiritual formation, and livelihood training such as baking and cooking.

Under the leadership of Sr. Luzviminda C. Pepito, the institution continues to pursue its mission of forming socially responsible, psychologically healthy, and spiritually grounded individuals, while restoring the dignity of every child entrusted to its care.

For 28 years, the SMAC Sisters have remained steadfast in their mission, building what many describe as a “home, sweet home” for children in need—offering not just shelter, but a future shaped by care, dignity, and compassion.

Archbishop Valles expressed hope that the newly inaugurated Casa San Giuseppe will serve as a lasting sanctuary for healing, growth, and opportunity for the children and communities it serves. (Alexis Joy A. Abacahin | HCDC Intern)