Renovation of the Benedictine convent in Digos, Davao, Philippines
Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Project Code: 329-06-19

On the island of Mindanao, set amidst the hilly landscape of the Davao region, lies the Convent of the Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King. It is dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace and has many visitors who come to take part in retreats and days of prayer. Now the guesthouse is in need of renovation, and the Sisters want to repair it and protect against break-ins, fire and termite damage.

There are currently 31 professed Sisters and four novices in the convent. As contemplative religious, they spend most of their time in prayer. Their presence is a blessing for the surrounding area, as the Sisters also go out visiting the poor and elderly who nobody else cares for, sharing their food every day with the poorest families. They have also helped other Benedictine convents around the world by sending their Sisters to them as helpers.

The oldest building within the convent complex was built in 1984. It serves as the dormitory of the novices, but it also houses the candle-making and sewing workshops and the storerooms. The entire facade of the upper floor is made of wood and consequently very vulnerable to fire. Sister Maria Columba Salinas relates how fire actually did break out in the candle making workshop recently, but fortunately they were able to extinguish it again. This incident served as a wake-up call for the Superior, who already knew that the building needed to be made safer.

There have also been three break-ins, with the burglars getting in easily through the windows. And another serious problem is the termites, which are steadily eating away at the timbers. "The coconut tree wood was treated with old second-hand oil to protect it against the termites, but in the last 30 years they have already done a great deal of damage," the Superior adds.

The Sisters are asking our help for the renovation work, which will be done in three separate stages to keep down costs as low as possible. ACN is proposing to help with $8,900. Will you give to help these Sisters renovate their convent in the Philippines?

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