ASSOCIATION OF THE CHILDREN OF MARY IMMACULATE

Official Name Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate
Other Name or Acronym Hijas de Maria (1868)

COM (1900)

VMY ( Vincentian Marian Youth)

Vision We are all International Vincentian Marian Youth, Friends and Homes deeply committed to “be evangelized” and to “be an evangelizing” community of disciples for the world, the Church and the poor.
Mission ·       To serve Jesus Christ, present in the poor, especially the most needy.

·       To seek and commit ourselves to young people in difficulty, offering them opportunities that give meaning to their lives.

·       To participate in on-going formation programs in order to offer a quality to society and to the Church.

·       To unite and forge our strength with other persons or institutions, especially with the other members of the Vincentian Family and together with them launch transforming actions against unjust situations, mostly working in the forms of projects.

·       To live a spirit filled life, giving witness to God’s love in the world as prophets and, through our commitment, we make the Gospel a credible GOVERNANCE.

Year Established September 8, 1868
Year Accredited w/ Laiko September 29, 1958
History A). Origin and Foundations

The history of the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate is intimately bound up with the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830 in the Chapel of the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, 140 Rue de Bac, Paris.

The Association arose from a desire of the Queen of Heaven expressly made known to the young seer who manifested it to her Director, Fr. John Mary Aladel, CM. St. Catherine recorded the origin of the Association immediately after narrating the famous apparition in Rue du Bac Chapel on the night of July 18-19, 1830.

 

B). Philippines

In the Philippines, the Association was established in the Colegio dela Immaculada Concepcion (“Concordia”), Manila, under the Daughters of Charity on September 8, 1868. But since the early age of our evangelization, Filipina girls loved to join the Association of our Lady under the name “Hijas de Maria” (Children of Mary), of which we find flourishing units, perhaps among the whole world.

On April 6, 1914, the Holy See granted to the Vincentian Provincial of the Philippines, Fr. Angel Martinez, C.M. and his successor the “faculty to sub delegate Parish Priest for erecting in their parishes the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate”, a privilege which late, on March 25, 1931, in memory of the Centennial of the Miraculous Medal, was extended by Pope Pius XI to the whole world.

The National Council of the Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines was established by the authority of the Delegate of the Director General of the Association, the very Rev. Fr. Provincial of the Vincentian Fathers of the Philippines, Fr. Zacarias Subinas, C.M. on November 15, 1947.

The COM is truly grateful to Fr. Teodoro Barquin, C.M., for his untiring efforts in making the Vincentian Marian Association a flourishing one in the country especially from 1960-1986.

By 1983-1986, he had designated the COM National President Ms. Heidi M. Nimuan, to design several modules for the different levels.

After the term of office of Fr. Ted Barquin, C.M., Fr. Francisco Vargas, C.M. took over the post. This time the National Council had propagated the Vincentian Marian Youth Camps.   The other C.M. who became National Directors were Fr. Quirino Raut and Fr. Vic Velasco for a brief period.

At present, Fr. Raymond Regua, C.M. is the COM National Director.   Some of the memorable events during his incumbency are as follows:

  • The COM Statutes of the Philippines has been approved by the COM International Council.
  • COM Philippines is able to obtain a voting capacity and a voice in the COM International Councils. Thus, being given a SEAT in the COM International Council.
  • The new COM MANUAL for the Philippines has been approved.
  • COM PHILS has played HOST to FIRST COM ASIA ENCOUNTER in 2004 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The Philippines will play host again for the Second COM ASIA ENCOUNTER slated for April 2009.
Composition of Membership International Council

  • National Councils (per country)
  • COM Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils (AC/DC)
  • COM Units
Main Activities
  1. Marian Basic Catechism for Mary’s Angels and Vincentian Marian Youth
  2. Vincentian Marian Spirituality Circles
  3. Annual Vincentian Marian Cenacles
  4. COM National Youth Camp
  5. COM National Convention
  6. Teaching Catechism in the Parish/Barangay
  7. Visita Domiciliara (Mary’s Visit in every Home)
  8. COM IRA-P Immediate Relief Program, given to disaster/calamity stricken areas
  9. COM Visitations (Hospital, Prison, Elderly, Orphanages, Homes of the Poor in Depressed Areas)
  10. Parish Assistance in Altar Decorations, Sunday Choir, Collectors, Eucharistic Minister, Youth Wardens, Ushers /Usherettes
Areas Present The COM is present in the different regions and provinces in the country.
Affiliations Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas – CBCP

Vincentian Family Coordinating Council (VFCC)

International Vincentian Family, Rome (IVF)

Official Contact Address The Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate Marian Center

900 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila

Official Contact Numbers C/o Concordia College

Tel. + 63.2. 564. 2001

Logo

logo_Children of mary

 

The MIRACULOUS MEDAL… This is the family coat of arms which from heaven, a design brought by the Blessed Virgin to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830… our insignia is perpetual reminder of our heavenly Mother, a sure pledge of her love for us and a token of her protection.
Current Officers

National President:  Ana Maria Escaño

National Vice President:   Etta Monroy

National Secretary:   Nora Able

Treasurer:   Blessil Relampagos

Auditor:   Tess Lipa

National Spiritual Director:   Fr. Raymond Regua, CM

National Sister Moderator:   Sr. Novella Borjal, D.C.

 

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