With the theme, “The Spirit calls: to live with renewed fervor the Word of God with our eyes fixed in Christ”, the Sisters analyzed the state of the Congregation and prepared a plan of action that the Superior General has to bring to completion.
Maxima Pelaez, 67 years of age and born in Daet, Camarines Sur (Bicol), has been the head of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters the past six years (2006-2012). She also served the Congregation as vicar general (2000-2006) and as general secretary (1994-2000).
The roots of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters are traced back to the 18th century, when two sisters – Cecilia and Dionisia Talampas – decided to live the Augustinian Recollect spirituality as members of the Tertiary Order and dedicated their life to the service of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which the Augustinian Recollects had in Manila. The place is the present San Sebastian Basilica, the church made of steel. Other young women joined the two sisters and, later, they became a community under the care of the Augustinian Recollects. Today they are a Congregation of pontifical rite.
They started as lay members of the tertiary order of the Augustinian Recollects. In 1907 they started to have their profession, and the Church recognized them as a congregation in 1929. They Sisters are dedicated to the education of the young especially those in the rural areas. They administer 32 schools, one orphanage, and a dormitory for girls. They also have communities in the USA, Spain and Australia.