Talks on Filipino Spirituality
The Center for Spirituality of Manila started a series of annual academic fora last year which set the pillars of the Center, intended for enriching Spirituality and Christian faith.
The first Spirituality forum was the launching of the Institute itself, borrowing the words of Dr. Miguel Ubarri, T.O.Carm, it is a step forward in the search for a new language that will enable us to speak about our experience of God, fostering a culture of dialogue in love and respect that will enable effective ways of communication. Practically speaking, the Institute would serve as a venue to worship the Trinity while respecting and integrating forms of prayer that are constitutive of the Philippine-Asian soul, a place to renew our Spirit, fill our understanding and strengthen our will to become prophets for our days.
...the present
This year, Spirituality Forum-II was held with a taste of what Filipino Spirituality is all about - its roots, forms, elements and cultural influences from other nations and religions.
In its second year of lecture and workshop series in the field of Spirituality and inter-religious dialogue, the Center aims to promote and deepen the interest in Spirituality to answer a need. These activities would enable people to understand that Spirituality is more than just a set of devotional practices or even Theology if the latter is to be understood as a mere intellectual activity. Spirituality is both a discipline as well as a transforming practice. At the same time, to support this endeavor is the Center's focus on the utilization of study and research mainly on the Filipino-Asian perspective of Spirituality. This would come to intensify one's understanding of said perspective. Furthermore, the Center aspires to be a place for Carmelite renewal in Asia.
The theme for this year was "Different Elements of Filipino Spirituality." Scholars from various fields have been invited as speakers for this forum. Second time-speakers were Fr. Kees Waaijman, O. Carm who gave a conference on "How to contextualize Spirituality?" and Fr. Francis Vineeth, CMI discussed the enculturation of Spirituality in an Indian-Ashram. Other speakers were: Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, OP, DD on The Filipino Elements in Spirituality, Fr. Leonardo Mercado, SVD on Indigenous-Malay Influences on Filipino Christianity, and Prof. Jul Kiepli Wadi on Islamic Influences on Filipino Christianity. The paper of Dr. Luce Lopez-Baralt on Eastern Influences in Spanish Culture was read by Dr. Miguel Ubarri, T. Carm since she was not able to attend the forum.
...the Spirituality forum
The event was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC), University of Sto. Tomas last July 29-31, 2002. A gathering of more than one hundred guests from the Carmelite family and other congregations overwhelmed the Center with great euphoria. The forum started on time after the registration. The Secretariat was composed of Normie Lacanilao, Jofti Villena, Alain Balasabas, Arnold Alindayu and Jude Caballero. Coordinator/facilitator was Fr. Marlon Lacal. O. Carm.
Emphasis on fully discovering our Christian roots and identity as Filipinos and to be rooted as Filipino Christians was given during the welcoming remarks of Fr. Tony dela Cruz, O. Carm Commissary Provinicial. The rationale, according to Fr. Christian Buenafe, O. Carm, was that the search for the meaning of life should not end in the first, or in the launching but must continue on a successive series of forums or fora. It would involve not only listening to the speakers or spoon-feeding by the speakers but a dialogue between the speakers and the participants, sharing and enriching the quest for meaning. It is not a presentation of papers but stories to be shared. It is a common collective search.
...Spirituality as such is contextual.
Fr. Kees Waaijman, O. Carm, took into account the incorrectness of the question, "how to contextualized Spirituality?" Perhaps the question would rather be "how to discover the hidden or oppressed contextuality of my Spirituality, of our Spirituality?"; The relationship of culture and spirituality, basic forms of spiritual cultures and the essence of Spirituality were the three points emphasized in his talk. Based on the data presented in his talk, our own Spirituality depends on the culture where we are raised or born. He stressed the need for respect for different forms of Spirituality- Spirituality of family life, lay/indigenous Spirituality or secular Spirituality. "I think we should have respect for the basic forms of Lay Spirituality, Indigenous Spirituality, not everything should be Baptist, Carmelitized, not everything should be jesuitized, so let every group do their Spirituality and be happy." Time and space has been given to help develop one's own Spirituality. Listening to other forms of Spirituality is helpful to develop from within rather than to penetrate. The context of one's Spirituality is determined from the culture one was born into. "Lay spirituality has to be developed in its own terms, schools of Spiritualities shall be developed from the founding experience, the original Spiritual experience, the basic experience that has to be brought in, in the transformation, in contact and dialogue."
...faith and action
Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi, OP, DD gave a talk based on A CBCP Pastoral letter written years ago entitled, "Landas ng Pagpapakabanal." Or known as The Filipino Spirituality He started with two historical incidents that took place in 1841 and 2001. The first incident was about the legendary local folk Hermano Pule who was captured by Spanish authorities - shot, beheaded and dismembered. He was also the founder of Confradia de San Jose which instilled discipline and a religious code of conduct based on four pillars: kaliwanagan ng loob (illumination of spirit), kapatiran (brotherhood), damayan (compassion) and lakaran (pilgrimage). The second incident was EDSA III. The above narratives were used mainly for the purpose of representing another perspective in writing the history of the people which is seeking to interpret history from the thinking of the masses as they desperately try to humanize their world and free themselves from the bondage of poverty.
The pastoral letter opted to view spirituality as arising from spiritual experience. Precise experience is defined as the Filipino's historical encounter with Christ and as a result of this encounter the Filipino is invited to walk on the path leading to holiness (Landas ng Pagpapakabanal). These encounters take place in the reality of our day-to-day lives. It leaves its mark in the way we worship God and give witness to his goodness and mercy. "This is what we mean by the Spirituality of a people. It is a living, palpable experience that motivates and impels us to conversion." An important point stressed in the talk was that the religiosity of early Filipinos and of those who struggled for freedom and against oppression was not confined to symbolic or passive forms but was translated into concrete actions that influenced history. And that moreover, in the concretization of their religiosity, that is, of their spirituality, we see a coherent and continuous linkage between faith and action. Now, the Church is facing a struggle of how truly they can be called a genuine Church of the Poor and why values are shaped largely by materialism and consumerism and why Christianity has failed to produce a truly Christian society in the midst.
Probably, values are lost somewhere from our history and indeed church-people and academicians must agree that they could make a great contribution in rebuilding these values.
...struggle for dominant religion
The struggle for dominant religion in Spanish culture can be traced way back to centuries of past history. Christian, Jews, Hebrews and Muslims struggled for dominance, which gave way to imbibing somehow the culture and spirituality of these religions during their long stay in the peninsula. One distinguished part of history is the violence of Old Christians towards these other religions or even the so-called new Christians. Their economic and political power allowed them to begin to discriminate against the other races, which gave way to the growth of Spanish anti-Semitism. Christian authorities embarked upon the hard and bloody process of strangling the Arab and Jewish cultures and the Inquisition was the weapon, which was seized upon to persecute the New Christians. Even newly-baptized Moors were equally tormented during the years of their forced cultural and religious assimilation. All excerpts are from the paper of Dr. Luce Lopez-Baralt.
...prophetic and mystical
According to Fr. Leonardo Mercado, SVD, there are two important Malay concepts underpinning Filipino Spirituality: the concept of holy and the concept of the individual as other-oriented. Two types of Spirituality based on the concept of the holy are the prophetic and the mystical types. A prophetic model is based on the holy as transcendent, which means there is a great chasm which divides the believer and God. While a mystic, who holds the immanent model of the holy does not want any distance between the believer and the divine. Therefore, with these descriptions Filipinos are oriental and orientals are by nature mystics. Our form of prayer is not cerebral or brainy therefore, it is suited to our psychology, worldview as Filipinos. An example of mystical spirituality is the spirituality manifested by the masses. Social implications of Spirituality present the indigenous peoples' other-oriented concept. Among them property is communal. They will hunt for a day's food. They just take what they need for the day. Another point is that moderate living is a way of preserving the limited goods of creation and they refuse to become victims of individualism and consumerism.
These excerpts were from the conferences given by the speakers. After every conference given, workshops or sharing sessions were facilitated by the coordinator of each group and an open forum followed. With these new insights from the speakers, may we bear in mind the fundamental elements that comprise our Spirituality as Filipinos, may we preserve and develop them for the common good of our brethren and utilize these fundamentals as instruments of building the Church of the Poor.
The Center for Spirituality- Manila (CfS) now on its fourth year has chosen a Directing Team that will closely work with the Executive Board and the International Academic Advisory Board. On August 2, 2002, this development became a step forward for the Filipinos to run the Center for Spirituality towards maturity. The Directing Team assumes the tasks of the outgoing Puerto Rican Director for 3 years, Dr. Miguel Norbert Ubbari and the Dutch Academic Coordinator - Fr. Anton Hoogland, O.Carm. The Directing Team will act as the implementing body of the approved research projects, consultations and spirituality forums, and the administrative works of the CFS. They will oversee the development of the Library, and other structures related to the Center. The CfS- Manila Directing Team is composed of Frs. Marlon Lacal, Christian Buenafe, Rico Ponce and Esmeraldo Reforeal--- all belonging to the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines.
PHILIPPINE CARMELITE FINANCE COMMISSION MEETING
The Finance Commission convened an evaluative meeting last August 22, 2002 in San Alberto Formation Center, Cebu City. This meeting served to assess the implementation of voucher and receipt systems among our communities. Various concerns were dealt with, like Seminary Funds, and the first half budget reports of the communities. Clarified also, was the matter on what local communities could give as a concrete contribution to the Central Fund in terms of fund-sourcing.
The meeting was chaired by Fr. Toto Jaranilla, O.Carm., Chairperson of the Finance Commission with the presence of Fr. Tony dela Cruz, O.Carm., Commissary Provincial.
CARMELITE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES' NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Carmelite School System in the Philippines (CSSP) has a new Board of Trustees. Last July 28, 2002, the new BOT met at Titus Brandsma Center in Manila to formally plan and elect their officials. They are: Fr. Reynold Caigoy, O.Carm. (Chairperson), Fr. Gabriel Dolotina, O.Carm., Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm. (Superintendent), Sr. Flor Pauline Duran, Carm. O.L. and Mr. Gil Pol Tan (Corporate Secretary). The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Carmelite schools in the Philippines. The Commissary Provincial
and Council of the Carmelite Order appoint the Trustees for a term of two years.
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ESCALANTE CITY
Last July 1, 2002, Mount Carmel College of Escalante welcomed last July 1, 2002 their new Associate Dean of College, Sister Mary Paul Palasabas, SFIC from Tarlac. Sister Mary Paul is a "balikbayan" (returnee) in MCC since she was also the High School Principal from 1994 to 1996. She finished her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from the Philippine Normal University and her doctoral degree from De La Salle University in Manila. Welcome Sister Mary Paul for the second time around.
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On July 16, 2002, all Escalante celebrated the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A solemn procession around the city started the day followed by the Fiesta Thanksgiving Mass presided by Bishop Jose Advincula and 25 concelebrating priests. A "Fiesta Agape" and Cultural program made the celebration more colorful with the participation of the parishioners, students and personnel of MCC, members of the Carmelite Family and government officials of the City of Escalante. There were also invitational basketball games, film viewing and Jam' Karmelo (a variety show and Disco) at the MCC ground. The people of Escalante are very thankful for the intercession of their patroness, the Lady of
Mount Carmel.
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The Karith Postulancy Community inaugurated their new oratory on July 16, 2002. The "Oratory of Our Lady of Mount Carmel" is designed by the postulants themselves with the model and inspiration of a nipa hut (Bahay Kubo). Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, O.Carm. and the nine (9) postulants welcomed their benefactors and the members of the Carmel Family while they prepared a sumptuous meal and a surprise program.
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On July 20, 2002, the feast of the Prophet Elijah, around 40 Carmelites (friars, associates, tertiaries and postulants) from Escalante left for Dumaguete - the venue of the Carmel Family gathering the following day. They were billeted at the residence of Franz and Melvin Kl. Koerkamp, Carmelite Associates and at the Stella Maris Retreat House of the Carmelite Sisters of Our Lady. The following day, around 200 Carmelites gathered to celebrate the annual meeting of the different groups and communities of Carmel in the island of Negros. Escalante Carmel and Dumaguete and Sibulan Carmels (the cloistered nuns, tertiaries, associates, carmel youth, the O.Carm. Dixie Carmelites, the Carmelite Sisters of Our Lady) met and shared each other's stories, wishes and prayers. Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm, the Prior of Escalante Carmel gave a talk on "Cum Nulla" and the challenges of the Carmelite Family in Negros. An open sharing and cultural program followed the talk of Fr. Toots and sharing of Fr. Boy Ramos, O.Carm. The day was concluded by a Mass to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Cum Nulla" with the entire Carmel Family in Negros celebrating.
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The Carmelite pastors, Frs. Christopher Exala, Harry Bloem, Paul Medina and Dionisio Ramos are very active in the planning and implementation of diocesan programs on the diocesan, vicariate and parish levels. Our brothers have good and encouraging relations with the clergy and lay groups in the Diocese of San Carlos.
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TERESA COMMUNITY UPDATES
VISIT OF FRS. RICO AND ESMERALDO
Rico Ponce, our candidate for Doctorate of Philosophy, who specialized in the field of Pastoral Theology in the Catholic University of Nijmegen visited the Philippines to attend the Second series of Spirituality Forum, which was held last July 29-31, 2002 in St. Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Sto. Tomas. Rico is writing a dissertation on the Spirituality of the Filipino Migrants in the Netherlands.
Another visitor to the community was Fr. Esmeraldo Reforeal who arrived the first week of August. He was not able to attend the Spirituality Forum as he went to attend the 17th World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada.
Both Rico and Esmeraldo are members of the newly organized Directing Team of the Center for Spirituality. The other two members are Frs. Marlon Lacal and Toots Buenafe.
JOINT CELEBRATION OF FRS. ARIS ESCOBAL AND KRISNA AJI NUGROHO
Last August 4, 2002, the birthday of Fr. Aristarco Escobal passed with little fun fare. It was spent in silent reflection. . . but the day after saw a big celebration, as this was also the despedida of Fr. Krisna Aji Nugroho. Many friends of both Frs. Krisna and Aristarco graced the occasion. The relatives of Fr. Aristarco came while Fr. Krisna Aji Nugroho was about to leave for Indonesia having finished his two and a half-year studies at the Institute of Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA). Fr. Krisna left for Indonesia on August 7.
ST. ELIJAH STUDENT-FRIARY UPDATES
Life continues to flow in the life of every student-friar at St. Elijah Student-friary, specially
the life of students at ICTC. At the beginning of July, all the seven first year student friars, Edwin, David, Benedict, Arnold, Rhen, Aries Jude and Greggy, prepared themselves for the month long institutional exposure. It was on the 5th of July 2002 that the seven of them entered the threshold of specific institutions. Edwin and Jude journeyed and experienced life with the people in Tala immersing themselves with the Hansinites at the Leprosarium, Benedict and Arnold with the differently abled persons in Tahanang Walang Hagdan (people on wheels) in Cainta, Rizal. David and Rodrigo were assigned to the Kuya Drop-In Center in Quezon City, which caters to street children. And Rhen, immersed himself with the community of elders and with the special children at Hospicio de San Jose.
All were filled with enthusiasm upon their entrance into the area. Some were anxious about what would happen next but they all thought positively and were sent off by the entire InterCongregational-Theological Center family with the hope that in their return a wealth of experiences would be brought back with them.
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We wish to welcome Fr. Gilbert Sabado, the new member of the student-friary Community. He arrived last month after a yearlong assignment as Assistant Formator in the College Seminary in Cebu and is now assigned in Manila as Vocation Animator for Luzon and Assistant Formator for the student-friars.
Fr. Gilbert is very busy with his new assignments, conducting visitations, vocation campaigns and preparing things for the Vocation Promotion of the Order.
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The student-friars joined the entire Carmelite–Manila in celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel last July 16, 2002. Various activities were organized such as sports and parlor games. The night before July 16, Alain, went to Cabanatuan with some friars to visit the cloistered nuns. It was his first time to visit the nuns and it both was a long journey and a wonderful experience.
The activity of the feast was highlighted with a mass presided by Fr. Antonio D. dela Cruz, Commissary Provincial and attended by the ICTC Family (OFM, CSsR, SMM, SC, FBMS and staff. It was a unique fiesta were every community prepared food to be shared with everybody. A multiplication of food indeed.
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A day after, Alain left for home to attend the funeral of his grandmother and returned on July 21. On July 20, the student-friars celebrated a special feast in honor of Elijah their Patron. Once again, they gathered as one big family and celebrated the feast with a mass celebrated by Fr. Aristarco Escobal, O.Carm., and Fr. Martin Pierik, O.Carm., who gave the words of wisdom. After, they ate supper together and had another wonderful celebration.
July 21, the student-friars joined the Carmelite Family Day, at the Good Shepherd Parish in Fairview. The affair was attended by more than 300 Carmelites. Philippine Provincials Fr. Joel Borreo, OCD and Fr. Antonio de la Cruz, O.Carm. concelebrated in the introductory Eucharistic Celebration. After the Mass, Sr. Lourdez Dizon, CM gave a talk which focused on the relevance of the Carmelite Rule in the modern times. After the talk a group sharing followed. The afternoon saw creative presentations from the different groups.
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On July 23, the student-friars had a sharing with Fr. Tjeu Timmermans, Prior Provincial. Most of the students shared their experiences especially the newly professed. They shared experiences from the exposure areas and how it affected and helped them in their journey as Carmelites. In return, Fr. Tjeu shared also his experiences, hopes and dreams for the near future especially, having been re-elected as the Prior Provincial of the Province. It was an encouraging encounter for the student-friars.
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The first week of August were busy days for all the first year students making reflection and evaluation papers as part of the requirements of the program last August 5, 2002. It is also the end of their first exposure. They came back full of energy bringing bountiful
experiences, a combination of tears of loneliness and happiness. All were touched and their hearts renewed with a longing to go back to continue journeying with people in spirit, mind and heart.
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AGUSAN UPDATES
The Agusan Carmelites bought a 6 hectare land intended for the project of the community as part of fund generation for the survival of the Order in Agusan. The place is located in Sitio Supon, Barangay Magsaysay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Initially, the community planted coconut trees along the boundaries including fruits suited for the land. The place is promising as a farmer told us, “Where there is water there is life".
The farm (vineyard) will be named Horeb. The community envisioned a plan to build a
bahay-kubo enough to cater the physical and psycho-spiritual needs of the Agusan Community.
It was in the mind of the friars to make this place available soon for those who wished to experience a erimitical way of life through action and contemplation in communion with nature in Horeb's vineyard.
Today, the community is scouting for a prospective rice field since it is easy to cultivate rice in the area of Prosperidad and San Francisco due to the presence of the National Irrigation Administration.
Agusan del Sur experienced a massive military build-up of civilian armed forces (CAFGUS) in grow significant numbers even before the new declaration of a total war campaign of the GMA regime against the New People's Army.
The new building of the O. Carm. Community in San Francisco is almost finished. The rooms on the third floor have already accommodated the youth and lay workers and other visitors. The first floor and the second floor are almost finished but temporarily halted due to financial constraints.
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SPRING OF CARMEL
The Exodus (internovitiate) program started with two acquaintance days on July 2 and 3.
The congregations that participate in the program are: Redemptorists (CSsR), Congregation of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SSCC) [men and women], Scalabrinians (CS), Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), Carmelites (O.Carm.), Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of the Consolation (OSA), and the Dominican Sisters of the Remedies (OP).
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Fr. Krisna, our Indonesian confr�re, stayed in the novitiate for about two weeks in the first half of July and gave two sessions to the novices about Carmel in Indonesia. From July 9 to 11 the novices attended the Theater Arts workshop for the Exodus novices. Anton went to Cebu to attend the Initial Formation Conference and the blessing of the new chapel and convent. He was back on July 16, in time for the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was celebrated in the Acacia compound with games, a Eucharist, dinner and a program. The novices placed first in the basketball contest. The next day they attended the PCPR forum held at the Titus Brandsma Center on July 19. Fr. Toto Jaranilla shared with the novices aspects of the Carmelite Family.
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The whole community was present at the Carmelite Family Day celebration held in Fairview. Novice Eugene Horca won the poster making contest. The next day, July 22, Tjeu Timmermans, the Dutch Provincial, visited the novitiate to talk with the friars and novices. From July 23-25 the novices attended the Exodus module on Tri-media given by Fr. Nick Cruz, S.J., while from July 29 to 31, they attended the Forum on Spirituality, which was held at UST at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center.
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In the evening of August 5 the whole community was present at the joint birthday party of Fr. Aris and the despedida for Fr. Krisna. The next two days saw the novices attending the Exodus module on prayer. Fr. Anton went to Cebu to attend a leadership training on August 9. Fr. Bernard Roosendaal facilitated sessions on JPIC for the novices. A week later the novices went to the Zen Center in Marikina for two consecutive days for an Exodus module on Zen meditation. The next day Anton facilitated a one day work-shop on Carmelite spirituality for the Carmelite novices, both men and women.
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On August 19 the whole Spring of Carmel community had an outing to Calumpit Bulacan. The three following days saw again an Exodus module, this time about inculturation, facilitated by Fr. Domingo Moraleda, CMF.
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CEBU FORMATION COMMUNITY AND SEMINARY UPDATES
Series Of Activities Make Our Lady's Feast Colorful The fiesta of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this year was celebrated in a special way. A series of activities made the celebration colorful and meaningful. People from different walks of life, children and adults came and gathered to celebrate the joy of this special moment.
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The fiesta celebration started during the first day of the Novena masses. The different communities and groups of families surrounding the Carmelite Formation Center prepared the novena masses. Communities from east, west, south and north of Carmel participated in
this special event. The whole celebration was guided by the theme: PADAYON ANG PANAW UBAN KANG MARIA (Continue the journey with Mary).
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From the first day of the novena mass until the feast day, a series of activities were organized. A Basketball tournament participated in by the youth of the neighborhood and organized by the Carmel Youth; an exhibition basketball game between Carmelite Seminarians and Rogationists seminarians. A dance contest for children was hosted by the
Seminarians. This particular activity was organized to recognize the presence and participation of hundreds of children in the community affair.
The Carmelite Lay community organized the women’s volleyball exhibition game of selected players from Mandaue city. The Lay community was well organized and made the whole preparation for the search for “Princesita ng Karmelo”. This is a pageant for kids aimed at raising some funds for the seminary. The coronation night served as the culmination of the series of activities.
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Cardinal Vidal Blesses New Chapel & Friars' Residence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the Archbishop of Cebu, led the flock of San Alberto during the blessing and dedication of the new chapel and friars' residence last July 15, 2002 at 4:00 in the afternoon. He also presided over the fiesta mass in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Carmelite Friars and some guest priests joined him in the celebration. Cardinal Vidal expressed his joy at having the Carmelites in the Archdiocese and extending their services to the people. Hundreds of people attended the celebration. The new chapel was filled with people coming from the neighborhood and some visitors with seminarians serving as choir. They made an impressive presentation of their voices and the Cardinal expressed his appreciation to the seminarians. After the mass, the whole community continued the celebration by sharing food. The Cardinal and guests enjoyed the food prepared by the people.
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FIRST VISITORS WELCOMED
The San Alberto Community was happy to welcome the first visitors to their new residence. The formators who had their regular meeting last July 12 and 13, were the first visitors. The spacious place made the visitors comfortable. During the same period, Fr. John Gelio-ano made a visit to the community. He was the first friar to ever stay in guest room B7.
This new residence serves as the Visayas center of the Carmelites. More meetings are scheduled to be held in Cebu. Thus, more visitors are expected to be accommodated in this new residence of the community of San Alberto. The community is very grateful to the people who helped to realize this project. Special thanks are extended: to Commissary Provincial and Council for approving this project, to Dutch Province for supporting this project, to the family of Fr. Anton Hoogland who donated almost half of the amount for this project, to the people in Nasipit who also extended their support, to Bro. Arie Kuil, the
Property Custodian of the Commissariat who followed up and supervised the project, to the workers and to the people who in one way or another contributed for the realization of this dream.
LIFE GOES ON FOR THE COLLEGE CARMELITE SEMINARIANS
Though some of the seminarians suffered chicken pox, flu and fever, the majority of them continued their normal life in the seminary. They are quite busy with their studies and other seminary and school activities having just finished their Mid-term examinations last July 28 to 30, 2002. Fortunately they passed the exams and are now busy with some other requirements like paper work and reports. Seminarians Plan To Hold Concert To develop their talents in music and arts, the seminarians are planning to hold a concert this coming December 21, 2002. The preparation for the said activity is ongoing and Sheldon, a third year seminarian, is the coordinator. They are now making contacts with individuals and groups who can help them in this project. Committees are organized to systematize the plan and are now functioning according to their tasks. To realize this project cooperation with other members of the Carmelite family like the Lay Carmelite Community and Carmel youth is also sought by the organizing committee. The title of the concert is: “WOW PASKO, HAY PASKO.” This aims to convey the Christian message as we celebrate Christmas. It will try to depict the real situation of the people particularly the children in relation to the message of hope of Christmas. This activity aims at raising funds for music instruments and for the pews of the new chapel.
CARMELITE SEMINARIANS PREPARE FOR VOCATION CAMPAIGN
Seminarians are tapped to actively participate in vocation animation work. Fr. Max, the National Vocation Director, integrated the seminarians into the vocation animation plan. The seminarians are divided into different groups for the vocation campaign to different schools in Mindanao and Visayas area. The seminarians are looking forward to this activity. Max is now busy establishing contacts in the different schools for the vocation Campaign.
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UPDATES FROM THE TOC NATIONAL COUNCIL
Last July 27, 2002, Saturday the TOC National Council composed of Fr. Toto Jaranilla, Sis. Nimfa C. Tangcuangco, TOCarm, National Prioress and Bro. Joe Generoso III, NFC Director visited the TOC Las Pinas Communities located at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Pilar Village and Our Lady of Fatima Parish at Philam Homes, also at Las Pinas City. Bro. Miguel Norbert-Ubarri, a TOC from Puerto Rico who was here in Manila for the Spirituality Forum went with them as guest. The group met with the Pilar TOCs in the morning and the Fatima group in the afternoon. Sis. Mila Irasga, Regional Coordinator was also present during the meeting.
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Last August 15, 2002, Thursday, Sis. Nimfa C. Tangcuangco and Bro. Joe Generoso III met with Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio TOCarm, parish priest of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish in San Antonio Village, Makati City to discuss the founding of a new TOC Community in his parish. Five TOC members from the Sta. Ana TOC Community who belong to his parish will form part of the core group of the new community. Msgr Clem was professed as a TOC when he was parish priest at the Divine Mercy Parish in Sikatuna, Quezon City.
Reports coming from Roxas City have it that three (3) diocesan priests will be received as TOCs on August 24. They are Rev. Fathers Jun Felipe of the Sto. Nino Seminary in Aklan, Zaldy Zaradin, St. Peter Parish in Ibajay, Aklan and Michael Ibardoleza of St. John the Baptist Cathedral. Arrangements are underway for the founding of a new community in the diocese of Aklan.
Meanwhile, Sis. Nimfa, Bro. Joe and Sis. Flor A'jose, Regional Coordinator of Central Luzon visited the TOC Community in Tarlac last July 5, 2002 to finally prepare them for the Study Module 1 formation program. While there they conducted an election of officers to serve in an interim capacity. On August 24, 2002, Saturday, Sis. Nimfa and Bro. Joe will also be meeting with the new TOC group in Tanay, Rizal for the same agenda.
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FR. TJEU’S VISIT IN BURGOS, PANGASINAN
During his recent visit to the Philippines, Fr. Tjeu Timmermans, Prior Provincial, visited the nuns of Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Burgos, Pangasinan on July 24-25, 2002.
Fr. Tjeu shared with the nuns the insights of the Dutch Province including a Eucharistic celebration visited the on-going construction.
TITUS BRANDSMA CORNER
NAME, "BROTHERS OF MARY," INSPIRES TO DEVOTION
This gave ample scope to their piety and while they daily hurried to Our Lady's Chapel and before her alter performed their divine Office and meditation; while they led their lives of prayer under the very eye of their heavenly Mother, so to say, their devotion to Mary became more and more fervent and earnest. It was a wonderful dispensation of Providence that the first monastery of the Order should be built round a little chapel, which had long been a center of devotion to Mary. That dispensation of Providence enjoined on the Brothers the devotion to Mary as something intimately allied to their institution, and the name with which the neighboring population called them after this sanctuary, stamped the former crusaders, who laid down their swords on the altar of Mary, as Knights of Our Lady.
When the second General of the Order, St. Brocard, lay on his deathbed, he gathered the hermits about him to address them with some parting words of farewell and exhortation. The words he spoke to them excited the Brothers to honor Mary by deeds tried in virtue, "You are called", he said, "Brothers of Our Lady. Take care that after my death you prove worthy of that name." Evidently he had during his life, more especially during the twenty-five years of his office as General, always insisted on this. He had even looked to it that they should remain worthy of that name. His generalship, therefore, must have especially fortified and confirmed that devotion in the hearts of his brethren.
Source: Carmelite Mysticism Historical Sketches, page 29
