November 2, 2026

FOR: MBG ARCHDIOCESAN/DIOCESAN/PRELATURE/APOSTOLIC VICARIATE/MOP COUNCILS
MBG PARISHES NOT YET CONSITUTED AS A COUNCIL
MBG SPECIAL UNITS

REF: “WE ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER TO BECOME THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD.”

My Beloved Mother Butlers,

The Peace of Christ.

St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, the epistle for Tuesday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time, reminded me of our Mother Butlers who have gone back to the Father’s House. It must be because today is All Souls Day when we especially remember our departed loved ones. I borrowed St. Paul’s thoughts on becoming one household of God. Christ’s cross that seemingly divided the living and the dead actually united us in the hope of eternal life. The hope that gives us peace.

Remembering our dearly departed MBG… I can still see some faces clearly. To name a few, there was Corazon delos Santos, who passed the mantle of leadership of MBG Manila Archdiocesan Council to me 57 years ago… tall and statuesque, her kindness and commitment exceeded her height. Mining Garcia, a friendly motherly soul in the Council of the ‘60s. There was my own Tia Bely of MBG Kamuning who taught me the basics of sewing purificators and palls, and how to wash sacred linens
properly.

During my term as servant-leader, I remember Maura Valte, secretary of the Council, who knew not just the names of the Mother Butlers, but also their life stories. She had the patience to listen to their woes and commiserate with them… Maura exuded such cheerfulness that was contagious. Lina Gatmaitan of MBG Tondo who went through her MBG tasks with the efficiency and caring of a doctor managing a hospital of the vulnerable. And Luz Domingo, dear Luz, my original companion MBG missionary planting the seeds of our apostolate in sun and rain. Araceli Azul who patiently travelled the length of the Bicol region to water the MBG seed the Lord blessed us to plant there. Remedios Huliganga who facilitated my first MBG attempt in Mindanao during the Martial Law years. Tiay Luisa Quimsing whose love for the Iloilo clergy hastened the flourishing of the MBG ministry in the Jaro Archdiocese. They are, for me, the little saints who did the MBG ordinary humble servant tasks with such extraordinary love.

Of recent memory, there was Carlita Yap… cherished Carlita who as treasurer held tightly the MBG purse… when it was empty filled it generously with her own funds. When I left for Rome on a new mission in the Vatican, Carlit took good care of the MBG National. After my 6-years season in Rome,
Carlit without hesitation said that there was no need for MBG elections… she resumed her role as treasurer… a lesson of self-lessness for us to emulate. I see the faces of Fely Calimbas, Letty Rollan, Gually Hernaez, Gloria Esperanza, Nenette Bustos, Al Bernardo, Bay Aromin who gave without counting the cost their time, talent and treasure… how their efforts and love for the Mother Butler Guild bore abundant fruits for it to increase and multiply. They, and many other dearly departed from MBG dioceses are MBG little saints… they did the MBG little servant ordinary tasks with such
extraordinary love.

O, there are countless faces that now form the MBG in paradise… still giving praise and glory to God… still praying for us here on earth. I strongly urge all of you to gather the names of your departed Mother Butlers in your parishes, in your respective dioceses. Dedicate a special date this month of November to celebrate Mass in their memory…praying they are in the Father’s house with Jesus, the Servant-God they faithfully followed, obeyed and served here on earth… thanking God for calling and choosing them as Mother Butlers, and for leaving us a shining example of humility, love, and joy in times of laughter, and in times of tears.

Our Mother Butlers in the afterlife… our Mother Butlers in this current life… we are built together as the dwelling place of God… we are joined together as the Body of Christ. Nothing and no one can separate us from the love of God… from the peace of Christ… from the courage of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray:
Eternal rest grant unto all our dearly departed Mother Butlers, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
Look down on us with mercy, O God, as we, your Mother Butlers in the footsteps of Mary our Mother, and the example of our beloved departed Mother Butlers, strive to serve you and all those whom you love. Grant us your assistance. Lord, make haste to help us. Amen

Pray, pray, pray always my beloved Mother Butlers. Say repeatedly: Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you. Beloved Saviour, give me your love.

Love you all.

Amb. HENRIETTA T. DE VILLA
National President