Bishop Teodoro Buhain, DD ordains Brs.  Alvin & Francis as deacons

     It was on a sunny Tuesday morning, January 13, when Bishop Teodoro Buhain, DD ordained Brs. Alvin Erni, OFMCap. and Francis Mesina, OFMCap. as deacons. Even as the nippy Tagaytay winds blew, friars and friends gathered at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at 9am to witness the simple but meaningful rite concelebrated by thirty-seven priests and a Conventual Franciscan deacon.
     From places as far as Pampanga and Batangas, friends and family of the ordinandi joined the brothers celebrate the gift of vocation given to Brs. Alvin and Francis. Acolytes from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Quezon City served at the solemn Mass guided by Br. Alfredo Micua, OFMCap. who served as the master of ceremonies.
     The many concelebrating priests filled the foyer of the big church where they vested and exchanged joyful pleasantries. Notably present among them was Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM, Provincial Minister of the Luzon Province of the Franciscan-Regulars. Priests of the Mission Society of the Philippines and Conventual Franciscans were also there. Shortly after 9am, Br. Rubencito Bartolo, OFMCap. introduced the rite then the choir of the San Jose Manggagawa Parish of GMA, Cavite sang a regal entrance hymn that cued the start of the liturgy.
     In his homily, Bishop Buhain exhorted the ordinandi to keep in mind the many sacrifices they have offered in the pursuit of their vocation. He also reminded the ordinandi that the role they would embrace as deacons is one of service. “Kayo ay ‘utusan.’ (You are 'lowly servants')” he said, “Sila ang boss. (The people of God are the bosses)” They must, therefore, live now as a clear and eminent sign of God’s presence among people, as agents to spread and strengthen their faith, and as instruments of God’s charity.
     As the Eucharistic celebration drew to a close, the newly-ordained deacons expressed words of gratitude. Br. Francis acknowledged the presence of his relatives who hired a bus to bring them to Tagaytay City from Pampanga. He said that he was glad the simplicity of the liturgy had highlighted the meanigfulness of the event. Br. Alvin, for his part, shared a touching story from his younger years. He said that this experience of his father’s unconditional love and acceptance had made him deeply appreciate God’s gift of vocation.
     After their emotional and inspiring words, Br. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap., Provincial Minister, stood to announce where the two deacons would henceforth be assigned. He said that he hoped their service as deacons may lead them to grow true to the Capuchin tradition as “Capuchino, Misyonero, Santo. (Capuchin, Missionary, Saintly)” To the applause of those present, Br. Cesar said that Br. Alvin would be sent to serve the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Titay, Zamboanga-Sibugay while Br. Francis will serve the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Caburan, Davao del Sur.
     The Mass was followed by a merry agape at the hall beneath the church. It was filled with chatter and laughter as religious sisters, benefactors, friars, family and other friends milled around tables and met old acquaintances. Among the many brothers present were the postulants, the postnovices from Tagaytay, Lipa and Manila, and three aspirants. It was still cool despite being 1pm when people started to leave but with thankful smiles for God’s good work.

Br. Larry goes to Nuing mission

     On January 19, Br. Hilario Kapitbahay, OFMCap. will be flying to General Santos City on his way to the Mission Station of Sto. Niño in Nuing, Davao del Sur. He will replace Br. Leny Escalada, OFMCap. who is now at the Our Lady of Lourdes Friary in Gen. Santos recuperating from a medical operation.
     Br. Leny was admitted into the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Hospital last January 6 where he underwent surgery for a burst appendix. He was discharged six days later and advised to rest for the next three months. Br. Leny has been assigned at the Nuing mission station for the last six months.
     Br. Larry was last assigned in Mindanao in 2004, also at the General Santos friary. Previously, he has been to the Papua New Guinea mission in 1997 for almost two years. He is known among younger friars to speak fondly about his colorful experiences in the missions and has often expressed his desire and willingness to return.
     After his Mindanao assignment, Br. Larry was assigned to the St. Lawrence of Brindisi House of Studies in Tagaytay City where he stayed for two more years. Since the beginning of this triennium, he has been serving as Local Economo of Bahay Capuchino in Quezon City.

Br. Erning undergoes eye surgery

     Br. Ernesto Lagasca, OFMCap. was admitted into St. Luke’s Medical Center last January 8 in preparation for an urgent eye surgery the next morning. The retina of his right eye had been partially torn and needed immediate treatment.
     He first experienced flashes of light and a progressive partial blindness in his right eye while he has in Guibang, Isabela days previously. During his stay there with the Sisters of St. Clare, he helped them drill into a concrete wall. Dr. Carlos Alberto, his surgeon, suspects that it was when his retina tore. It seems that Br. Erning’s morning sit-ups worsened his condition since upper body stress increases pressure in the eyes. He did not immediately seek medical attention as he initially thought it was not a serious condition.
     He went to St. Luke’s for an eye check-up after returning to his Quezon City fraternity. Diagnosing the advanced damage to his eye, Dr. Alberto recommended immediate treatment and surgery. He was prepared for surgery before 9 a.m. last Friday and his operation lasted until 1 p.m.
     Although unconscious during actual surgery, Br. Erning recounted experiencing excruciating pain during the laser treatment that followed. It was done with him awake and sitting upright. He was released after lunch yesterday, January 12. During his five-day confinement, friars, nuns from the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SFIC) and the Franciscan Immaculatine Sisters (FIS), and concerned parishioners visited him.

Brothers colorfully celebrate Christmas

Postnovices experience urban Greccio

     The postnovices gathered at the Sta. Teresita Parish last December 1-6 for their annual Greccio Experience. For the first time since the creation of this postnovitiate Advent gathering, it is held in an urban setting.
     The Greccio Experience seeks to recapture for the postnovices the essential experience of St. Francis of Assisi in the small town of Greccio, Italy on Christmas Eve of 1223. Challenged with translating the original rural context of Greccio into the fast-paced metropolitan environment of Quezon City, the postnovices had to go beyond the literal as they sought to grasp and share the fundamental Franciscan values in St. Francis’ unique understanding of the Humility of the Incarnation.
     On the first day of the experience, Br. Alberto Poblete, OFMCap. facilitated the topic “The Spirit of Advent.” He deftly discussed the interior and exterior challenges of both the liturgical season and of this Greccio Experience, summing up by reflecting on Chapter III of St. Bonaventure’s Legenda minor.
     After Compline, Br. Chito Bartolo, OFMCap. introduced his topic for the second day: “The Contemplation of the Humanity of Jesus in the Franciscan Tradition.” In his session after breakfast, he shared his reflections about the meaning and significance of the Incarnation of our Lord in a concrete and experiential manner. Fraternal sharing in the afternoon lasted well into the evening and was capped by celebrating the Eucharist.
     The third day was facilitated by Br. Rally Gonzaga, OFMCap., parish priest of Sta. Teresita Parish. After stressing the enduring immediacy and necessity of preaching the Gospel, he revealed that part of his reason for inviting the postnovices to hold the Greccio Experience in the parish was because he saw that one of the concrete needs of the parish was “re-evangelization.”
     He then shared some basic social and pastoral facts about the Parish and soon proceeded to send them off by two’s into the less-affluent quarters of the Parish. The postnovices had rich experiences as they met the local church from a grassroots perspective, as evidenced by their lengthy sharing during the evening Eucharist.
     Coming all the way from the Baguio novitiate, Br. Wilson Atienza, OFMCap. traveled over 200km south to join the postnovices on the fourth day of the Experience and to facilitate the topic “The Virgin Mary in the Mystery of the Incarnation.” In reflecting on the role of Mary in the Incarnation and in the Church, Br. Wilson led the postnovices towards reevaluating their attitude towards the Blessed Virgin Mother and rediscovering the role of Mary in their own vocation stories.
     By afternoon of that day, the postnovices had already begun to prepare for the climax of the Experience: the Greccio Mass the next day. Sandra Branzuela, a parishioner of the Sta. Teresita Parish, had agreed to play Mary and Br. Jose Raul “Jojo” Rico was to play Joseph. But when she greeted the brothers during dinner after practicing the Magnificat, everybody agreed Br. Jojo looked too senior even for the tall twelve-year old girl. So Br. Paul Perlado, OFMCap. was then given the role of Joseph.
     Br. Roberto San Diego, OFMCap. met the brothers for a short while in the morning of December 5. He spoke about the actual place of Greccio, its nature, buildings and art. He also showed the brothers the famous painting of the Virgin Mary nursing the Lord. He celebrated the Greccio Mass at 3pm and, although only about twenty-five people came, it was a meaningful liturgy followed by a joyous agape of sandwiches and juice held at the Parish Hall. After all the guests have left, the street children were invited and they also had their fill of the agape.
     After dinner that evening, the postnovices evaluated their experience. They commended the local fraternity for their kind and generous hospitality. Good words were for Br. Mario Mortalla, OFMCap., the local economo who often visited them during mealtime, and for Brs. Rally Gozaga and Jose Luis Arrieta, OFMCap., the Guardian, for their support.
     After cleaning up and saying their goodbyes to the local fraternity, the postnovices visited the Provincial Minister, Br. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap., at nearby Bahay Capuchino. He thanked them for taking the time to visit and exhorted them to always seek the will of God and the wisdom behind the postnovitiate experiences. After taking lunch there, the postnovices went back to their own fraternities.
     This year’s unique Greccio Experience was attended by Brs. Dennis Jose, OFMCap., Francis Atienza, OFMCap., Christian Feliciano, OFMCap., Jeffrey Torres, OFMCap., Paul Perlado, OFMCap., Rowell Bonao, OFMCap., Joemar Lorca, OFMCap., Jose Eduardo Mayo, OFMCap., Renante Sasi, OFMCap. and Marlon Magdusa, OFMCap., and by Br. Jose Raul Rico, a brother in the re-entry program. Postnovitiate directors Brs. Chito Bartolo, OFMCap. and Flavio Lacson, OFMCap. accompanied them.

Brothers welcome back Bim

November 5, 9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa City

     For a Capuchin friar, it is not only the three vows of poverty, obedience and chastity to which he commits himself during his profession of life. When he kneels before his Minister, or every time he renews his profession, he commits to live out the Gospel in fraternity, minority, and prayer and contemplation.
     This fundamental reality was given emphasis by Br. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap. last October 19 at the oratory of the Padre Pio Fraternity at the Capuchin Retreat Center, Lipa City. As Provincial Minister, it was his first time to receive the profession of the brothers. They were Brs. Jesse Tejero, OFMCap., Renante Sasi, OFMCap., Jairus Patrick Pascual, OFMCap., Jose Eduardo Mayo, OFMCap., and Dennis Jose, OFMCap.
     Before their renewal, the junior friars gathered for a period of silence, recollection and Eucharistic Adoration facilitated by Br. Chito Bartolo, OFMCap., Director of Postulants and of PN-3s. Afterwards, the brothers prepared themselves eagerly for renewing their commitment to God through living as Capuchins.
     The Rite of Renewal was celebrated within that Sunday’s solemn Vespers. Brs. Roberto San Diego, OFMCap. and Baltazar Benito, OFMCap. served as official witnesses of the renewal.  Also present were Brs. Allan Donasco, OFMCap., Wilson Atienza, OFMCap. and the first-year post-novices who served as acolyte, lector and musicians.
     The fraternity was beautifully prepared and decorated for the special event. The young friars of the Padre Pio Fraternity cooked a hearty buffet for dinner that was marked by merry laughter and conversation. Br. Edgardo Dumaual, OFMCap. joined later that evening.
     Br. Rosauro Gonzales, OFMCap., the sixth professandus who is currently assigned in General Santos City, renewed his profession there before Br. Eliseo Galicano, OFMCap. who received it in the name of the Provincial Minister.

     The Franciscan family in the Philippines gathered at the St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong last October 3 to commemorate the Transitus of St. Francis. It was organized by the Franciscan Institute of Asia assisted by the Inter-Franciscan Juniors' Association.
     The church was full and there was a happy, fraternal atmosphere. The Transitus this year was performed by the students of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong where Br. Edmundo Tiamson, OFMCap. serves as Rector and Br. Alberto Poblete, OFMCap. is Campus Minister. Despite some initial technical difficulties, they were still able to express the deep power and impact of that final part of the Saint's life. The Transitus was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Bishop Joseph Nacua, OFMCap concelebrated by Ministers of the First Order. A potluck agape followed where everybody shared the food they brought. Meanwhile, the juniors entertained them with song and dance numbers.

Brothers gather for festive AKAP

Bishop Nacua ordains Brs. Eugene and Ricric as priests

     Brs. Eugenio Juanilo Lopez, OFMCap. and Ricardo Rara, OFMCap. were ordained priests last September 27 at the National Shrine of Our Lady Lourdes by His Excellency Joseph Nacua, Bishop of Ilagan, Isabela.
     The solemn event, attended by many family, friends, and religious men and women, began at 9:30am with the entrance procession of some twenty concelebrating priests. The twins Br. Wilson Atienza, OFMCap. and Br. Wilfredo Atienza, OFMCap. proclaimed the Scripture Readings and a member of the GMA choir sang the Responsorial Psalm. Br. Emerito Moreno, OFMCap. played the organ for the choir and Br. Cesar Gutierrez, OFMCap. led the praying the Litany of the Saints.
     Just before the celebration ended, Br. Ricric thanked his family and the brothers in a moving and emotional message. Afterwards, Br. Eugene also recognized the presence and the role of family and friends in his journey of responding faithfully to his vocation.
     After the Mass, everyone proceeded to the LSQC High School covered court for buffet lunch. The brothers’ visitors came from as far as Baguio City and the Visayas. It was a fraternal gathering of people who, in one way or the other, have been instrumental in helping the two new brother-priests achieve God’s will for them.

     For the first time, the Capuchin Retreat Center and the Padre Pio Fraternity in Lipa celebrated three masses to commemorate the feast of their patron, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina last September 23.
     It was also the first time that feast day masses were held indoors at the CRC’s Brindisi Hall instead of the usual outdoor makeshift stage. The Hall can accommodate 300 persons and is larger than CRC’s San Damiano Chapel, the venue of the monthly novena Masses. Anticipation of rainy weather was also a strong reason against an outdoor celebration.
     Br. Roberto San Diego, OFMCap., the new CRC Director, welcomed the special day by presiding over the Eucharistic celebration at 7:00 in the morning. Despite the time, a good number of devotees filled the seating capacity of the Hall.
     The rainy weather did not prevent devotees from coming to honor St. Pio and much more than was expected came for the two afternoon Masses. Many had to stay outside the Hall but they were still able to actively participate in the liturgy thanks to a live feed screen provided by CRC’s in-house photographers.
     After the traditional Rosary procession, the second mass of the day was held at 4:00pm and was presided by the Most Reverend Ramon C. Arguelles, DD, Archbishop of Lipa.  Capuchin and guest priests concelebrated. The final mass of that solemn day was later presided at 5:30pm by Br. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap., Provincial Minister, with Capuchin priests also concelebrating.
     A beautiful fireworks display delighted the devotees that evening. This year’s celebration was evidently a memorable one.

Brs. Mike and Joel sent to mission in Spain

     The brothers gathered at Bahay Capuchino last September 15 evening for the Mission Send-off for Brs. Mike Perdigon, OFMCap. and Joel de Jesus, OFMCap. They were to leave for Spain on September 17 to serve the brothers there.
     During the sharing after the proclamation of the Word, Br. Mateo Goldaraz, OFMCap. exclaimed that it is a great miracle of God that the brothers are going to be sent to Spain. He remembered that, once, Spain was sending missionaries to the Philippines but, now, it is the Philippines that is sending two humble brothers to Spain. He said that, indeed, the wisdom of God is beyond that of men.
     Br. Jose Luis Arrieta, OFMCap., another Spanish friar, shared his fraternal advice to the brothers: he exhorted them to be like sheep in the many trials and difficulties they will surely face. And, like any of God’s flock, he advised them to bleat to Mary in such times.
     Br. Eugene Lopez, OFMCap., who himself was sent on the same “medical” mission to Spain several years earlier, shared his thoughts: remembering his initial struggles, he said that one enduring realization from his experience was the lesson that God has loved him precisely so that he can love others in the same way.
     Br. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap., Provincial Minister and presider of the Send-off, shared that the “appointed time” had come for the two. He recounted the many moments of difficulty the two had to face before getting their visas, but all suddenly turned out well in the end. Br. Cesar also reassured them of the Province’s support.
     The night was capped with a celebratory dinner because that day was also Br. Mike’s birthday.
     Present also that evening were Brs. Boying Peralta, OFMCap., Nanding Landingin, OFMCap., Chito Bartolo, OFMCap., Nick Abella, OFMCap., Ting Raymundo, OFMCap., Allan Donasco, OFMCap., Nick de Guzman, OFMCap., Flavio Lacson, OFMCap., Rolly Briones, OFMCap., Toti Padama, OFMCap., Kiko Armario, OFMCap., Fred Micua, OFMCap., Bal Benito, OFMCap., Nonie Ortega, OFMCap., Patrick Pascual, OFMCap., Toto Sasi, OFMCap., two Conventual friars and Mr. Anselmo Lacea with his young son.

     The observance of the feast day of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina will not be complete without conducting the annual medical mission for the sick brothers and sisters in Lipa.  This year’s charitable endeavour was held last September 7, Sunday, a week before the start of the Novena-Masses in honor of the Saint.
     It was a grace-filled event where many residents from the nearby barangays benefited from free medical and dental services and medicines. This was made possible through the generosity of doctors and nurses who offered their services for free, as well as of other benefactors and friends who provided the medicines. There were also many other people who, in one way or another, shared their time and energies for the love of God and others in the same spirit of the good saint they dearly love.
     The Medical Mission began with a Eucharistic celebration presided by this year’s Medical Mission head, Br. Roberto San Diego, OFMCap. An arroz caldo feeding service for all the patients was also provided early in the morning by the Post-novices of the Padre Pio Fraternity.