 At the outset of a new school year, once again, the Philippine Province of the Ministers of the Infirm was blessed with a number of vocations - of young men ready and willing to live a life of service towards the sick. And so the Province celebrated three important events in one Eucharistic celebration last May 31, 2008. These are the admission to the novitiate, renewal of temporary vows, and the perpetual profession of vows held at St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Camillus de Lellis Church in the Provincialate Compound. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Ivo Anselmi, MI, Provincial Superior of the Province, and concelebrated by Camillian priests and some priest friends.
Of course, the highlight of the celebration was the perpetual profession of Fr. Francis Zhang, MI, from Xian, China. His profession makes him the very first Camillian from Mainland China. After four years of Camillian formation in the Philippines, at last, Fr. Francis is now a full-pledged Camillian.
Via a phone interview, Fr. Francis said “Everything is okay. I am very happy and thankful to God for this grace.” Aside from his feeling happy and grateful he also said; “I feel the weight of the challenge as the first Camillian from Mainland China because I know that it’s difficult to start establishing a community there…but I am positive and hopeful that everything will be okay.” And in the task of bringing the Camillian presence in Mainland China, Fr. Ivo stressed the value of support, perseverance and trust in God’s providence. For sure, a lot of struggles and challenges lie ahead, but God’s guiding hand will always be there.
Fr. Giuseppe Didone, MI, Delegate Superior of the Taiwan Delegation, and Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva, MI, our very own Superior in the Scholasticate community, were the two witnesses to Fr. Francis’ perpetual profession. Fr. Mateo Kao, MI, from Taiwan delegation and newly ordained deacon Rev. Joseph Phu, MI from the Thailand Delegation were also present at the celebration.
For this school year, 19 scholastics renewed their vows for another year of Camillian witnessing to God’s ever present love for the sick. The scholastics who renewed their vows are:
| 1. |
Mushtaq Anjum |
11. |
Eliseo Navarro |
| 2. |
Bernadus Busa Ngole |
12. |
Alfons Oles |
| 3. |
Rodolfo Cancino, Jr. |
13. |
Brian Vincent Rances |
| 4. |
Rowel Centeno |
14. |
Marven Ruyeras |
| 5. |
Placido de Jose |
15. |
Ignasius Sibar |
| 6. |
Christoforus Djawa |
16. |
Suparman Andi |
| 7. |
Avensius Harung |
17. |
Roderick Tampis |
| 8. |
Michael Jaya |
18. |
Edgar Tuballa |
| 9. |
Jayson Labrador |
19. |
John Paul Alvarado |
| 10. |
John Jay Magpusao |
|
|
Scholastics Marven Ruyeras and Alfons Oles were recommended to take their pastoral year. A fruitful and meaningful year of Camillian living and witnessing, brothers!
Those who were admitted to the novitiate formation are:
- Nov. Bon Arimbuyutan from Taguig, Metro Manila
- Nov. Joseph Nortega from Negros
- Fr. Joseph Yang from China.
It’s good to have novices again after a year of drought. Good luck and God bless, our brother novices.
Indeed, the day was filled with gladness – there was good food to share and enjoy! But much deeper was our joy and thanksgiving for the growing seeds of vocation God has planted among us. May the seeds bear fruit and bring forth good harvest in the Lord’s vineyard.
  
  
  
  
  
  
|
