The Franciscan Apostolic Sisters form a religious Institute of
pontifical right dedicated to
a life of penance, prayer and apostolate in building a gospel community. The
aim of the Institute is to promote the glory of God and the personal
sanctification through continuous conversion of its members by living the public vows of chastity, poverty and obedience,
according to the Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order
Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi.
FOUNDING STORY: In
1953, Rev. Father Gerardo Z. Filippetto, OFM, a missionary in the Northeastern
region of the Philippines was inspired by the Lord to found an Institute of
women as auxiliary to his work of evangelization and preservation of the faith
in a vast area deprived of priest. The
members are to live the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi and follow the
examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her service to Jesus and the
apostles. For this reason, it is right
that the religious family be called the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (FAS). It
was founded in the spirit of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis dedicated
to a life of prayer, penance and apostolate. On December 8, 1964, Bishop Teodulfo
Domingo, D.D. of the Diocese of Tuguegarao granted its diocesan approval. On
May 18, 1996, Archbishop Diosdado A. Talamayan after having received a
favorable consent and approval from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic
Life, issued the Final Decree of its Canonical Erection as a Religious
Institute of Diocesan Right. On March
24, 2003, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of
Apostolic Life, after careful examination of this Constitutions and Statutes
issued the corrections to be incorporated for this Institute to be presented to
the Holy Father for its pontifical recognition granted on MAY 14, 2003.
