..............................................................................................................

The Congregation of the Religious of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Philippines (Suore elia Beata Vergine), better known as Religious of the Virgin Mary(R.V.M.), an apostolic institution of pontifical right, founded by MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESP1RITU SANTO in 1684, has for its end the greater glory of God through the sanctification of its members and the salvation of mankind.

The charismatic courage of our Mother Foundress enabled her to lead the Yndias in the living of the evangelical counsels and a life of apostolic consecration to God and His Church.

In generous response to the divine call to holiness in the following of Christ and to total love and service of God and neighbor in community, we embrace a life of consecrated chastity, evangelical poverty and perfect obedience as a means whereby this total love is expressed in the different apostolates of the congregation.

You did not choose ME, no I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last (John. 15:16).

The Spirit of the Congregation is the spirit of Mary, living, loving, working for Christ, and His Mystical Body, the Church. In this spirit, we devote ourselves totally to one aim to follow Christ in His love of the Father and of mankind, especially of the poor.

Just as Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo by responding to the prompting of the Spirit, as primarily concerned with the underprivileged of her own times, so now, we, the members of her Congregation, should share in this spirit and constantly endeavor to show concern for the poor and help those less endowed materially and spiritually.

Christ was sent by the Father to bring good news to the poor,

to heal the contrite of heart (Lk. 4:18), to seek and to save what was lost (Lk. 19:10).

The distinctive feature of the Congregation as expressed in our motto, "To Jesus with Mary," is interpreted according to the deepest meaning of the Marian mystery. Mary's perfect discipleship and spiritual maternity is the basis for our motto. As the person most receptive of her Son's message of love, Mary is the first to "go to Jesus" and hereby becomes the most important member of his Community (Acts 1:14). And as she brought Jesus to the world by becoming His mother, so she brings mankind to Jesus by her spiritual Maternity. Therefore, all disciples of Jesus and spiritual children of Mary go to Jesus with Mary.

Among the schools run by the RVM in the Diocese of Malolos are St. Mary's Academy in Hagonoy,f ounded in 1906; St. Mary's Academy in Baliuag, Bulacan founded in 1912 and St. Mary's College and St. Mary's Academy both in Meycauayan founded in 1916 and 1984, respectively.