For them who died of AIDS

Testimonies and messages of support warmed the afternoon air at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City during the 26th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held last May 15.  When darkness fell, the memorial quilts were ceremoniously unfolded as the names stitched on them were read. Then there was silence.  The participants lighted their red-ribboned candles and offered prayers for all the people who have died of AIDS.

Camillians in QMMC

The Camillian scholastics assigned to do their apostolate at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) enjoy the distinct advantage of short and easy travel to their apostolate area.  QMMC is located in a neighboring barangay and a ten to fifteen minute drive is all it takes to get there.

The month of June is not simply a back-to-school routine for our college seminarians or an eternity of homesickness for those who have just entered our seminary. This month, they engaged in different activities before formally setting their pens on paper.

June was a special month for Albert Silos, Charito Borra, Henry Angupa, and Seo Jung Ju.  Fresh from their investiture last May 31, they finally moved on to the novitiate program in the Camillian novitiate in Antipolo City after five years of college seminary formation in Marikina and five months of postulancy in the St. Camillus Adult Formation center in Antipolo.

We celebrated the end of Flores de Mayo with a small party for the kids who attended catechism classes during May.  The chapel was packed with God’s favorite people – kids.  Their souls were cleansed by confession before Mass while during Mass a good number made their first communion.  I’m sure God was happy that day.

Getting ready for a big day here – June 13th.  17 years (how’s that for baloney?) and enjoyed every minute of it.  Just kidding!  Sometimes life became a pain but what the heck – that’s life!

Isko after the Renewal…

Glance back at History…

A day after the renewal of vows, Fr. Giovanni Rizzi, MI, a confrere from the Taiwan delegation, gave a talk about the start of the Camillian mission in the Far East and the developments that led to the establishment of the Philippine Province.  He narrated the experiences of the first Camillian missionaries when they began the mission in China and how they were led to Taiwan and eventually to the Philippines.

“God is so good to me!”  This is the testimony of a very contented person. Fr. Tex just came home from a 13-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  He was very happy sharing his journey to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and some places under Palestinian control such as Jericho and Bethlehem.

The trip was a wish come true and a very beautiful gift from God through his brother, Fr. Roel V. Buntol, SSJV, the Parish Priest of Eco-Church (St. Isidore Parish), Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, and the Pilgrimage Chaplain.

A Spiritual Journey… Finding Our Truer Selves

“What a joy it should be to feel in your inmost heart that little tug of what has been called a gentle stirring of love.  This is God’s call, God’s offering of self and God’s response to your loving search. Indeed, your loving search would not have even begun without his gentle call.” (W. Meninger)

The Divine Healer Choir had their one and a half day recollection last June 12-13, 2009 at the Benedictine Retreat House, St. Benedict Priory, Ulas, Davao City.

“I thought of not joining the course at first. What for? It’s difficult and I’m already old,” said Leonila Nuñez, 65. “But I’m happy and proud that I did. I realized that there are still many things I can learn and do, even if I’m already old, that are very useful in times of emergency. I can use it to help others, or myself, or my family, most especially my young grandchildren who are with me.”

Pastoral Visit and Provincial Meeting

Bro. Luca and Fr. Babychan from Rome came to Germany last May for a pastoral visit and joined the provincial meeting of the German Province held in Freiburg. They visited the communities in Mönchengladbach, Essen, Freiburg, including Roermond. They took the chance to have individual conversations with each religious of the Province.