COM stands for the Children of Mary, an organization of young people looking up to Mary, the Mother of God, as the model of Chastity, Obedience, Piety and Charity. The group also is dedicated to the celebration of traditional Catholic devotions, including the Rosary. COM is a well-known part of the life of Catholic Communities worldwide. According St. Catherine Laboure, it is the Blessed Virgin's wish that a Confraternity of the Children of Mary should be founded. The Children of Mary organization flourished in the mid 20th century. It was originally for female members only, but later, male members were accepted in the organization.
As an answer for the Blessed Virgin’s wish, in 1989, Mrs. Aurora Dorog and Mrs. Fe Concha recruited 8 young girls to become members of the Children of Mary, Catmon Unit. From that very small group, the organization increased not just in number, but also in their dedication of following the foot steps of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The group became the voice of the young people of San Guillermo Parish, since during that time, no other youth organization existed.
In the 90’s, the organization was very active in the different Church activities. During the Christmas season, the group always participated in the different fund raising events of the church, adding music to the air by singing Christmas Carols and took parts in the Liturgical services during Misa de Gallos and the Midnight Masses. During Lenten season, the COM members were assigned for the readings of Via Cruzes and of the Holy Mass, and performed as singers and actors of the SUGAT. The COM’ers were also the catechists during the month of May, the facilitators and prayer leaders of the Flores de Mayo, and Rosary leaders during processions. These and many more were the activities that made the organization very visible in the community. With the support of the Parish Priest, the parents and the Parishioners, the COM organization became a group of young people dedicated to their mission as children of Mary, and most of all, children of God.
In the time when cell phones were not yet popular, Friendster and Facebook were not yet created; young people found joy in joining the COM because of the different religious and social activities which gave them deeper spiritual experiences and the chances to make friends with other young people of other parishes. The different retreats and recollections, the Christmas Parties, the Beach Parties, the different Pilgrimages; one would really say loudly, “I am a COMer.”
After a decade of its existence in Catmon, the COM organization started to dwindle until only three or two members remained active. There were several reasons for that; one is that, the original members, who were the leaders, pursued their college education in the city and looked for jobs afterward. Some eventually started their own family in some other places in the country or in abroad. Also, the emergence of the new organizations like the Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ and the creation of the Parish Youth Coordinating Council, had given the younger generations more options to choose from, making the COM less popular.
Next year, on February 10, 2010, will be the 175th jubilee year celebration of the San Guillermo Parish (Catmon, Cebu). In connection with that, the history of different organizations that existed in the parish are gathered to be included in the souvenir program. The adviser of the group, Mrs. Aurora Dorog tried her best to contact and meet with the COMers who are in Catmon. Just like a miracle, the fire of Mary's love is still burning inside the hearts of the members; all remained committed to the vow. This coming November 27, 2009 is the feast of the Miraculous Medal, a perfect timing for the reunion of the members, the renewal of the vows and the distribution of the medals.
All members are invited to join the event, even those who had forgotten their membership; after all, we have this motto, 'once a COMer, always a COMer!'
Ave Maria!
To Jesus through Mary!
