By Sr Ana Cielo Matuloy, RGS (Province of Philippines / Japan)
In the spirit of the Bicentennial Jubilee of the foundation of the contemplative sisters, contemplative and apostolic sisters from across the Philippines and Japan – including sisters from the three contemplative convents of Virac, Butuan, and Cebu – together with some sisters presently overseas on mission, gathered via Zoom for an afternoon of reflection on September 25, 2025.
The session was spearheaded by the Our Lady of Refuge Community in Butuan, the Philippines, with Local Leader Sr. Josefina Estella serving as moderator. Sr. Mary Edith Olaguer, contemplative councilor on the congregational leadership team, gave the input on the theme “Re-Imaging Contemplative Life in the Context of Emerging Complexity.”
In her presentation, Sr. Edith explored contemplative life as conscious participation in God’s presence. She drew from Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s experience of witnessing the Hiroshima bombing to illustrate how contemplation inspires transformative action in moments of crisis. She emphasized that true contemplation involves attentive observation of reality as it is—not as we wish it to be—and outlined Bernard Lonergan’s four transcendental precepts (be attentive, be intelligent, be reasonable, be responsible) as a framework for spiritual growth and discernment.
Her sharing was a timely reflection in light of today’s pressing global crises, marked by ongoing wars in different parts of the world and the worsening climate emergency. In the Philippines, corruption scandals continue to plague the nation, inflicting great suffering on the poor. These realities all the more underscore the need for contemplation and prophetic witness.
During the spiritual conversations, the sisters reflected and shared on themes such as healing wounds through divine love, cultivating awakened consciousness to confront systemic issues like corruption, and the challenge of living an authentic contemplative life in community. All are called to respond to the complexity of the world through a “contemplative gaze” – the long, loving look that perceives reality truthfully, without judgment or the need to control, the gaze that recognizes God’s presence in every circumstance.
In her words of thanks on behalf of the Province, Sr. Lilly Sorop recapped the session and brought it to a close with the insight: “Re-imaging is not abandoning but embracing. It is the humility to receive what the Spirit is birthing among us.”
