Perception of future apostolate and life style for the Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor in the Philippines, C. 2025

• Main Author: Tran, Margarita Binh Thi K. A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1994
• Subjects: Apostolate (Theology); Religious life; Life style; Monastic and religious life; Daughters of Charity; Servants of the Poor in the Philippines; Monasticism and religious orders for women; Religious vocation; Religious Education; Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1590
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study takes a futuristic stance and determines the services that the Daughters of Charity (DC), Servants of the Poor will offer for the 21st century. It predicts what life style the DC will adopt for a more effective and efficient apostolate. The study used the descriptive-analytical research survey through the administration of a questionnaire. Informal interviews, personal experiences, observations gained by living and working together with the Daughters of Charity in the Philippines since 1989 were used to supplement the survey. The respondents were Daughters of Charity, Servants of the Poor in the Philippines. They were Filipinos by birth and citizenship. The 75 copies of the questionnaire were administered to three age brackets: (a) 25-34 years old, (b) 35-44 years old, and (c) 45-54 years old. Most of the respondents were from the DC of Manila. The questionnaire was a checklist of two parts. Part one reflected personal data like chronological age, date of vocation, highest educational attainment, position in DC community, address, and present assignment. Part two provided data regarding the schools, social services, pastoral ministry, and life style. All aspects of the apostolate and life style of the Daughters of Charity were covered. The questionnaire used was developed, pre-tested, and revised before it was administered to the respondents. Descriptive statistics, Pearson r, and one-way ANOVA were the statistics tools used. There existed no relationship between the respondents' perceptions on the future apostolate/life style and their demographic variables. Their perceptions were not related to their number of years of vocation, chronological age, and educational degrees achieved. No difference was created between the perceptions of future apostolate/life style and the nature of their present apostolate. These apostolates were schools, hospitals, institutions, parishes, formation houses, retreat centers, and special communities for Senior sisters. The DC Servants of the Poor were consistent in their apostolate and life style.The research recommended the following:1. New forms of ministry such as (a) non-formal education centers for tribal Filipinos, (b) basic ecclesiastical communities for the common workers like farmers, fishermen, and miners, and (c) mobile clinics for rural communities must be emphasized and promoted 2. More attention must be given to the Marillac grantees, as well as their facilities and privileges including proportionate duties/responsibilities 3. The rural elementary and secondary schools where the truly poor students are found must be developed and supported and4. The zeal and fervour of the apostolate for which the DC Sisters are called to serve must be kept alive in the 21st century.