Taize in Manila

All parishes within the NCR are invited to send representatives on the Launching Day in Metro Manila on August 29.

The launch of the final stage of the preparation for the Taize event in the Philippines will be on August 29, Saturday. It will also be the "Launching Day" for all the parishes in the National Capital Region.

It will be held in San Carlos Seminary, Makati City from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

This day is meant for young adults from 16 to 35 years, who can be facilitators and would like to commit themselves in the preparation and organization of the meeting on a parish or vicariate level. Each parish within the NCR is invited to send up to five (5) young adults who are involved in the life of the parish and have good contacts to the groups and members of the parish. The day will start with a common prayer, introducing the participants to the typical songs from Taizé, the meditative way of prayer, and the value of silence.

A reflection and sharing on how trust (in God, in others, in oneself, in the future) helps us to go forward and not be discouraged, will follow. Brothers will explain the different practical aspects and ways of participation in the meeting. Materials for the practical and spiritual preparation in the parishes will also be given.

http://www.taize.fr/en

Working holy week

We're off to Paete today to accompany Fr. Rey to gather footages and interview key persons for his dissertation. He's working on a research which fuses theology and drama (following the works of Balthasar in theo drama).

It will be my second time in Paete. I was there three years ago when I accompanied Br. Melo when he brought their religious statues for some enhancements. I enjoyed it there since there’s something in the place. I cannot explain it; but with all the statues and paintings and outputs of the people lined up in various stalls, I could even sense that the wind they breathe there nourish artistry of the people.  

And then, this Saturday, we'll head to Angono to cover the Salubong. The closest English word I could think of equivalent to this is 'encounter.' It refers to reenactment of the first encounter of the risen Christ and his still grieving mother. We’ll conduct interview again with individuals connected with the celebration.

Yup. It will be a working break for us. And we'll surely miss the solemn Easter vigil rites of Canlubang. But no regrets since I am thrilled to experience a different high in terms of the cultural significance of these religious celebrations in the lives of Filipinos living in these areas of the country.  

Salesians for life!

On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Brs. George, Arvin and Rhine professed to live as Salesians forever!

It was a simple event, marked with that familiar sense of warmth and candidness and humor. I took some notes while Fr. Julius, the FIS provincial delivered a brief homily.

When the FIS and FIN separated in 1992, the FIS had 92 Salesians. Seventeen years later, FIS would have only 87 Salesians.

But despite the lack of personnel the province is expanding. God does his mission. We are not needed. We are just called.

In the future, when you are to experience setbacks, they are not supposed to be seen as vocational crises but challenges to deepen their Salesian vocation.

There's mission great ahead. Do not worry about your petty concerns. Do not take back what you gave God today. Cherish this treasure. This is the most intimate way we have to relate with God.

Grab some tissues!

Here's one video you must see this season. 

Eagerly waiting the 3rd encyclical

I devoured the first two enyclicals of the current Pope (along with Harry Potter 7) during my novitiate year. But the third one (the first is about love, and the second was on hope) would not be about faith (as most of us are expecting it to be, following the trimvirate faith-hope-love).

It will be entitled “Caritas in Veritate” (charity in truth) and will likely be published in April.

As the 16-month-old disintegration of the post-World War II financial system seems to be accelerating to a climax, Pope Benedict XVI is preparing a major papal encyclical outlining the principles behind a just and stable economy. Read more.

Provincial day '09

FIN Canlubang February 28, 2008—"Tayo para sa Lahat" roughly translated as "We are for everyone" was the theme chosen in celebration of the Provincial Day of the Philippine North Province. The theme captured the importance of the contributions of every confrere in responding to the call to return to Don Bosco. The three communities of Don Bosco Canlubang—the Prenovitiate, postnovitiate and college—played host to this event.

It was a festive celebration marking the 150th founding year of the congregation.

The event started with a Holy Mass at the Diocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Fr. Remo Bati, one of the first Filipino Salesians presided over the Mass.  Fr. Eli Cruz, the provincial, delivered the homily and spoke about the importance of fatherhood in our times when it is seemed to be sidestepped due to various circumstances. He then led everyone to realize that we are called to imbibe the brand of love God Father has for each of us.

Several jubilarians also renewed their professions during the rite.

Right after the Mass, everybody went in procession to the cemetery, just at the back of the shrine, to offer a wreathe in honor of our departed confreres (most whom are pioneers including Fr. Charles Braga). It was a simple but a meaningful gesture of gratitude which highlights the fact that our departed confreres, too, are part of the celebration!

More than 200 participants--bringing together priests, lay brothers, clerics, prenovices and aspirants. Some conferes from the FIS and other missionaries who were in the country also joined the event.

Photos of yesteryears were projected shortly before the program started, which caught the fancy of the senior ones. The photos did not need any caption since those who were present had their running commentary on the events--and especially on the confreres in the photos.

The program provided that familial brand of wholesome entertainment characteristic of Salesians: cheerful, creative and personal.

The South District, which includes Don Bosco Seminary, featured a combined effort of the aspirants, prenovices, and Salesians in rendering “Gold Tested in Fire,” the theme song of Don Bosco Canlubang’s recent foundation day celebration. The aspirants and young confreres whipped up an exciting choreography on the side.

Fr. Luis Iriarte, a Spanish missionary, who celebrates his 50^th year as a Salesian Priest was among those given honor. Several confreres celebrating their jubilee of profession and ordination also received due recognition.

The afternoon was devoted to community-bonding activities which counted among them the “Amazing Race” held in the 13 hectare campus where each team was composed of Salesians and aspirants. Afterwards other perennial games like football, basketball and badminton where also played. The traditional Bocce was enjoyed by some confreres.

It was a homecoming to most Salesians (maybe to all the Filipino SDB’s) in which their memorable years of their formative experiences were spent in Canlubang. It was also an inspiring event for the young Salesians and aspirants seeing zealous and happy Salesians in their midst. 

Fire-tried gold in motion!

Yesterday, about 200 Salesians converged in Don Bosco Canlubang for the Provincial Day celebration. I am still polishing an entry about it, but let me share with you a video which I took featuring the confreres and seminarians of the South District ‘s (composed of DB Batulao, Tabor House, SJB Parish--Sta. Rosa,  and DB Canlubang) rendition of Fire Tried Gold.

If I remember it correctly, Asps. Paul Dungca and Eric Frasco did the choreography. Of course, Sir Ronan Vergara wrote and added music to the song. So, without further ado, here’s the Fire-Tried Gold in motion!

Salesian Family Day 2009

We had a great time yesterday in union with various members of the "family" in the Salesian Family Day. It was one rare event in which all members (except for the Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki) of the Salesian family in the FIN came.  

The current strenna of the rector major in "Making the Salesian Family a vast movement of persons..." is indeed a concrete reality.