Quezon City, Philippines — In a spirit of joy, gratitude, and renewed mission, the Maryknoll Sisters are returning home to the Philippines this January 2026 to commemorate 100 years of missionary presence and service in the country. This milestone celebration honors a legacy that began nearly a century ago — a story of faith, compassion, and Christ’s love flaring forth into the world.
To officially mark this historic homecoming, the community will gather for a Centennial Eucharistic Celebration on Wednesday, 28th of January, 2026 at 3pm which will be presided by His Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula, D.D of the archdiocese of Manila, followed by a short commemorative program. This celebration will be attended by more than thirty Maryknoll Sisters from around the world and will serve as a sacred pause to celebrate the arrival of the first sisters and the lives they have touched over the last century.
It was in the 1920s when the first Maryknoll Sisters arrived in the Philippines at the invitation of Church leaders who recognized their zeal for service. From their earliest days, the Sisters focused on education as a means of empowerment, opening schools and training teachers to nurture not only minds, but hearts rooted in Gospel values. Schools such as the normal college in Malabon, which would evolve into Maryknoll College and later Miriam College — became beacons of learning, forming generations of Filipino educators, leaders, and servant-heart citizens.
Over the decades, the Maryknoll Sisters embraced a deeper understanding of mission, a shift that took them beyond the traditional classroom and into the very margins of society. While their roots were firmly planted in Malabon and Manila, their zeal for service soon radiated across the archipelago. They expanded their presence to reach communities in Quezon, Davao, Baguio, Cotabato and more, ensuring that their ministry touched every corner of the country.
Inspired by the Gospel call to serve the least of our sisters and brothers, they prioritized those often forgotten: farmers and fisherfolk, abused women, children living on the streets, and the urban poor. In this work, they embodied a selfless and incarnational love, going where the needs were greatest, accompanying communities in their struggles, and listening deeply to the cries of the people.
This shift expressed more than a change in programs, it signified a transformation of heart. The Maryknoll Sisters took to heart Christ’s commandment to love with justice and compassion, leaving traditional institutions to walk with those on the margins. Their presence among the most vulnerable,not merely as helpers, but as companions, reflects a faithful response to God’s tender call in every human life.
Today, that same spirit of service continues to flourish, particularly through the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary. Located in the mountains of the Philippines, the Sanctuary stands as a testament to the Church’s growing awareness of the sacred bond between humanity and creation. Here, the Sisters advance ecology and environmental education, fostering holistic care for the Earth and its people, affirming that the Gospel invites us not only to love our neighbors, but to protect the web of life that sustains us all.
As the Maryknoll Sisters celebrate this centennial, they also look forward with hope to the next 100 years of mission in the Philippines. Central to this vision is the opening of the Integration Community in Quezon City, a place where young women discerning their call to follow Jesus can come together to grow in faith, community, and mission. This new chapter re-opens Maryknoll’s doors to a new generation fervent in bringing God’s love into the world, healing brokenness, promoting justice, and making visible Christ’s compassion in every corner of society.
“The mission entrusted to us is not just a legacy to remember, but a fire to keep alive,” says the Sisters. “As we celebrate a century of faith, we embrace the future with hearts aflame for Christ’s love and a deep commitment to stand with the poor, care for creation, and serve God’s people wherever we are called.”
