fogs & kisses
NOVITIATE ONLINE
Kissing the Fogs Goodbye
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All our bags were packed and we were ready to go, but deep inside us was
a great longing: “if only we could build our tents here…”
Various encounters, most of them life-changing (for the better, of course!),
ran through our veins in the entire duration of our one-year stay here in
this cool and comfy mountainous place called Baguio City. It has made an
indelible mark in our cardiac muscles – making every surge of our blood a
sure reminder for us of the special “initiation to the Camillian way of
life” – a time filled with memories we gladly carry, na magpakailan ma’y
lagi naming pasasalamatan at babalik-balikan (and for which we will
always be grateful and reminisce.)
So, in this 12th and final edition of “fogs & kisses,” we share with you the
wonderful graces we delightfully received during our Novitiate journey:
My stay in the
Novitiate deepened my prayer life, strengthened my faith, and brought me
into believing more in God’s mercy and love. It has further improved my way
of relating with my superiors and brothers. I also became more faithful to
my apostolate! And with all these, I learned that to follow Christ, one has
really to put life in his concrete actions.
- Nov. Eliseo L. Navarro
It was like “pinakbet!”
May ampalaya, kalabasa, talong, okra, sitaw, at iba pa! Halo-halong
karanasan, ngunit nang pinagsama-sama, naku, sabihin ko sa ’yo, sadyang
naaaaapakasarap! (Pinakbet is a vegetable dish. There’s bitter gourd,
squash, eggplant, okra, string beans, and others. Mixed-up experiences, but
when combined, I tell you, is sooo delicious.)
- Nov. Jayson A. Labrador
A “honeymoon
with the Lord” experience, as many called it. Yet the Novitiate opened me up
to the unknown realities of life. I surprisingly found myself in various
crossroads that have yet to be trod. But with God’s gift of faith, I freely
plunged myself into the unknowns which only He knows, bearing with me His
ever-abiding presence.
- Nov. Michael P. Jaya
Indeed, my
Novitiate formation has transformed and strengthened my very self into a
prayerful being. Such a precious and meaningful experience that I was able
to spend a nourishing time with myself and with my God!
- Rowel M. Centeno
Simply the
best! A year so inspiring and fruitful. I really grew in love and commitment
to persevere in this kind of life. I realized that God loves me so much that
I want to express my gratitude by giving up my life for His cause.
- Nov. John Paul B. Alvarado
Truly, a
“taste and see the goodness of the Lord” experience!
- This Writer
Pahabol: Lampas langit na pasasalamat po sa inyong lahat sa walang humpay ninyong pagtangkilik, pagsubaybay at pag-enjoy sa natatanging column na ito sa loob ng isang buong taon! More power and God bless po sa ating lahat! (Heaven-surpassing thanks to all of you for your unceasing patronage and enjoyment of this column for one whole year! More power and God bless us all.)