Did you know?: Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo

Born on Feb. 1, 1663, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo founded the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), the only all-Filipino Catholic women religious congregation recognized by Rome. Today, RVM is an established educational and religious institution that provides Christian education to the Filipino youth. In 1748, then Archbishop of Manila Msgr. Pedro de la Santissima Trinidad de Arrizala recommended her beaterio to King Ferdinand IV of Spain for royal patronage and protection. She died on Sept. 19, 1748, at the age of 85. Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research