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| 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes concludes Year-Long Anniversary Celebration By Bryan DG. Manahan P2 On the 2nd of February 2008, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord marked the beginning of the Novena Masses in Honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year, Br. Flavio Lacson, OFM Cap celebrated the rites which commenced with the candle procession from the seminary grotto to the chapel. All the 9 days of Novena Masses were celebrated by Capuchin Brothers namely: Br. Flavio Lacson, OFM Cap, Br. Toni Ala II, OFM Cap, Br. Leny Escalada, OFM Cap, Br. Edgar Martinez, OFM Cap, Br. Domingo Velasco, OFM Cap, Br. Roberto Peralta, OFM Cap, Br. Rolando Briones, OFM Cap, and Br. Mateo Goldaraz, OFM Cap. Before each Novena Mass from the 2nd to the 9th day, the life of St. Bernadette Soubirous in the 1943 film, �Song of Bernadette� was viewed by the devotees. Some of the highlights of this year�s celebration were: the sacrament of Reconciliation to obtain plenary indulgence, the gathering of the Capuchin Aspirants, the showing of the life of St. Bernadette, the veneration of the brothers of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the renovation of the seminary�s Social Hall and the AMANAKINA 2008. On the 11th of February 2008, the seminary celebrated the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes. The celebration started with the grand procession of the image of our Lady inside the seminary compound at 7:30 AM. The Solemn Mass at 8:30 AM was presided by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles D.D. concelebrated with the Capuchin Brothers of the Lipa cluster. The families of the brothers, as well as the seminary�s beloved professors and benefactors joined in the celebration of this big day. It was an exhausting yet fun-filled day. A day worth remembering indeed because this was a fitting conclusion to the 40th Anniversary of our formation house in Lipa. Fare thee well, Guitar Man By Paulo Jesus Z. Nazareno P1 Brother Jomel G. Adame, a first year postulant, left last January 16, Wednesday. It was in the previous evening that he intimated his decision to leave the seminary. He left in the afternoon after spending time to talk to our formators, counselors at the Human Formation Office, and us. He believed that he was being called to life outside religious formation. Bhadz as we fondly call him is one of our guitarists in the community. His gift of music is one that exceptionally enriched our fraternity�s liturgical celebrations and leisure programs. Once he gets his hands on the guitar, strumming his way to the songs� melodies, and plucking his way to our ears� delight � he always unfailingly mesmerizes our spirits. Whenever he plays for the community, he always stirs in us the spirit of profound worship that is wondrously expressed in music. Besides his genius in music, he is one brother who is a bit timid but always ready to lend a hand. He is also one of the best shooters in our basketball games, spirited and skilled. Above all these, Bhadz is a reliable brother, pleasant, kind and God-fearing. Our days with him in the seminary will always be worthy of remembrance. To Bhadz, our brother, may the Lord bless you, keep you, and may He turn His countenance to you, and give you peace. We will always be just a prayer away. Kuya Jojo re-enters Kapatirang Capuchino ng Pilipinas By Paulo Jesus Nazareno P1 Called once more to the Capuchin life, Kuya Jojo returns to the order after fifteen years. He arrived last February 5, Tuesday at around siesta period. He now joins us postulants here in Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary to initiate his re-entry and integration to the Order. Br. Jose Raul de los Reyes Rico left formation last 1993 as a post-novice in his second year at San Jose, Carmona, Cavite where he was with his contemporaries, Br. Ron Ojeda OFMCap, Br. Alex Tanangco, OFMCap, Br. Royce Quintillan, OFMCap, Br. Antonio Yapchiongo, OFMCap and Br. Alberto Poblete, OFMCap. Br. Jojo is now forty-seven years old, born on June 19 in Baguio City. He was, however, recently living in Lingayen, Pangasinan before re-entering the Order. Now with us, Br. Jojo admits that such an experience is new to him as there has been a great transformation here in Lipa. The new set-up in formation, the wonderful renovation and fresh innovations in the building and grounds, are to him all new things. He also tells about his excitement in being integrated with a younger batch; the youthful atmosphere, he confesses makes him �happy and exhilarated.� Indeed, his return is marked by a many number of surprises that continue to inspire him. In the present situation of being integrated into the Order, he tells that his journey this time will metaphorically be a descent from the heights. His �going-down� experience spells that moment where he carries on his growth in the spirit and heart of a Capuchin � one that finds its strong roots in humility and minority in all things. This experience, he believes, would be one truly helpful in his life of being a brother to each of us. To Kuya Jojo, our brother, welcome back! Br. Gilbert arrives at Lourdes Seminary By Paulo Jesus Nazareno P1 Brother Gilbert James, a new member of our fraternity, arrived here in the seminary last February 6, Ash Wednesday. He is a Malaysian postulant under the direction of Br. Paul Cheong, OFM Cap and he has come to join us in his preparation for novitiate. Br. Gilbert will hopefully be joining the second year postulants in their coming novitiate formation. He was accompanied coming here by Br. Pio Clemente, OFM Cap. and Kuya Francis Pagota. The eldest of five children, Br. Gilbert is twenty-eight years old, born on July 12 and comes from Papar, Sabah. He joined our Capuchin brothers in Malaysia two years ago and confessed that it was the �life of simplicity and fraternity� that attracted him to the Franciscan life. He also finds deep inspiration in Saint Francis himself. When asked about what he presently feels, Br. Gilbert had this answer to say: �I don�t feel like I�m an outsider, everybody is helping me in terms of language, what to do, the time table, and others. I�m very much happy here.� He goes on to say that Filipinos, indeed, are a friendly people and everyone has made him feel very welcome and accepted. His motto in his vocation that serves as his guiding principle is: �Be not afraid.� These words according to him constantly give him encouragement to persevere, to do more, and to have courage in all things. All of us are looking forward to get to know him better and to share with him our life in formation, journeying with him as we all grow in the Capuchin Franciscan spirit of brotherhood and holiness. Welcome, Brother Gilbert! OLLS Social Hall Refurbished By Bryan DG. ManahanP2 As part of the major renovations in the seminary building, the Social Hall was given a face-lift which started last December 3, 2007 and finished just before the Fiesta celebrations of the seminary. The brothers removed the table tennis and billiard table along with the other contents of the room and the books in the old stock room. The lighting fixtures of the hall and the stage were the first ones to be fixed and a new sound system has been installed as well. The former sacristy later changed to a stock room was transformed into the main control room of the hall. The stage has been repainted and a new stage curtain was placed to enhance it. It is to be operated by a mechanical pulley for easy opening and closing. The stage�s wall was made to be the main viewing wall for the LCD projector. Now that the Social Hall has been transformed it functions both as the main recreation hall and a mini cinematorium as well where the brothers could watch a home video in cinema display and surround sound. Being One with St. Th�r�se By Garry C. Andres P2 Last February 8, 2008, we, the postulants were given privileged to welcome and venerate the pilgrim relic of St. Th�r�se as it arrived at the Cathedral of San Sebastian, here in Lipa City. The relic of the saint was processioned from proposed parish of St. Therese at Barangay Talisay, Lipa City and arrived at the said cathedral at 9:30 P.M. We, left the formation house at 9:00 P.M. and walked going to the Cathedral of San Sebastian. When we arrived at the venue, the relic has not yet arrived, and we were able to listen to a Carmelite priest from Lipa giving a talk to the people. And after the said talk, while waiting for the arrival, the Parish shows a power point presentation about St. Th�r�se of the Child Jesus. At the arrival of the relic, it was carried and guarded by the members of the Philippine Air force. When it entered the cathedral, the Knights of Columbus drawn their swords, and the children wearing the habits of the Carmelite sisters and brothers threw a petals of roses to the said relic. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles was also there to witness the procession. As it was placed properly on the front, the event started with 2 children giving poem to the saint. Then first one to be called to venerate the relic is those with the name of Therese, and then followed by those who have sickness. As the people were told to fall in line for the veneration, we, postulants fall in line with them, and all of us were privileged to go near and hold the glass where the box of the relic was being put. And together this veneration is the healing mass of Fr. Joey Faller, so the Parish momentarily put the veneration on hold, but by that time we are all finished to go to the relic. Before we went home we have picture taking at the car where the relic was being carried. This is the night where we are being visited once again by the Saint who wants to be a missionary but her condition did not allow her. In his arrival, we see and feel a millennium saint, a little child still doing her simple missionary work but a big thing that leads the faithful to see the true love of the Father. OLLS presents AMANAKINA 2008 By Michael Angelo V. Flores P1 February 9 and 10, 2008, were red letter days for the Postulants. Why? Because these dates is the much awaited AMANAKINA 2008 which is being held once every two years. An overnight reunion with parents to whom special tribute was given in recognition to their generosity and love that made them entrust their sons in the cradle of the Capuchin Order. Families and relatives who attended the said event came from Lipa, Dagupan, Quezon City and General Santos City. One of the parents remarked that, in spite of financial constraint and the 3-day tedious travel by sea, they really did their best just to see their son. And I�m sure that all the parents and relatives of the postulants who were present also do. After a sumptuous and simple dinner, all were gathered at the newly renovated Social Hall for an entertainment prepared by the Postulants. They danced Papaya Song as an opening number for the grand entrance of emcees, Br. Pao, Br. Mic and Br. Ian. Once again, the Postulants have shown their talents and newly discovered flicks. Our Chinese brothers serenaded our visitors with medley of Chinese songs. In between these presentations, an interview with the parents together with their son-postulant is what made the AMANAKINA night, truly special. Parents expressed their feelings of affirmation and love, as well as their son-postulants for the gratitude they have towards their parents, with a set-up like of �Mel & Joey�. There was also a question and answer portion that revealed some of the funny things about our fellow postulants. The program filled with joy and laughter, closed its curtain with a Marian Song and a final blessing by Br. Egay Martinez, OFM Cap. Parents were given a special opportunity to sleep with their son in the dormitory. The day that followed had been an opportunity for them to go around the seminary�s vicinity, and visit some of our tourist spots (CRC, Monastery, etc.)? It was indeed a memorable weekend which a postulant cannot only log on his journal, but on his heart that will give him an inspiration in his Capuchin journey, a night of warm encounter with the family that became an instrument of God�s love that nurtures our gift of vocation. OLLS joins Archdiocese in Vocation Campfire 2008 By Bryan DG. Manahan P2 This month of February, the Commission on Vocation of the Archdiocese of Lipa celebrated the Month of Vocation with the Theme: �Maria: Modelo ng Pagtugon at Pagtupad sa Misyon.� As part of this month-long celebration, the commission conducted �Vocation Campfire 2008� last February 23-24 at the St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Marawoy, Lipa City. Several Capuchin postulants led by Br. Deo Quinto, OFM Cap attended the said event. The program has already started when the brothers arrived at the venue at 8:00 PM. Sr. Elfa Palmares FMIJ gave a talk about Vocation. After the discussion, the participants went to their respective smaller groups to share their experiences. There were a number of Animation song dances that the young and the old participants alike enjoyed as intermissions throughout the program. After the vocation talk, there was a showing of the Documentary entitles �Message sent� about four different vocations; one was a diocesan priest assigned in barrios in Mindanao, a Jesuit Missionary assigned in Nigeria, a contemplative nun of the Pink Sisters in Tagaytay, and a religious brother of the Little Brothers of Jesus working in a cemetery. The program was highlighted by the Cultural Presentation of the different organizations who were present during the Campfire. The Capuchin brothers presented the animation songs �Kanlungan� and �Way of Love� then they sang �A Dream , A Vision, A Reality.� The Cultural Presentation ended early at 2:30 AM, so they decided to have the Stations of the Cross around the Major Seminary. At around 3:30 AM, the participants gathered around the Cross for the Taize prayer, while the priests heard the individual Confessions. The Concluding Mass was celebrated by Fr. Toter and as a fitting conclusion to the event, along with the organizers, animators, priests, seminarians, nuns, participants joined the dance of the Animations Songs �Itodo Mo!� et.al. MOMENTS with Nuestro Hermano By Jasper G. Espa�ola P1 It was around 11:30 in the morning , last February 20, 2008, our beloved Hermano Gerardo was taken by ambulance to the Mary Mediatrix Medical Center due to his arthritis that greatly affected his feet. He was confined to the hospital for almost four days. He was operated to remove the water that accumulated in his knees and legs that made it difficult for him to walk and move around. Joseph Wang and the author was very happy to volunteer to accompany Hermano Gerardo because they had a chance to serve and have conversations with our beloved friar. When they arrived at Br. Gerardo�s room in MMMC to substitute Brs. Paulo and Micheal, they saw the friar�s happy face that seemed nothing bad happened to him. Their story in the hospital was very unforgettable because of the nice conversations they had together with Hermano. He talked mostly about his past experiences here in Lipa as well as in Baguio. He also shared about Yamashita. They also talked about life and the next life, because he read a book about purgatory. Truly the wisdom of old is genuine and to be treasured. He is now old yet still so strong physically, mentally and spiritually as well. Even the visitors admired his memory because he still can remember so many things in his past. Aming mga �toy By Johnny S. Trencio P1 Si San Francisco ng Assisi ay kilala sa kanyang pagiging mapagmahal sa lahat ng nilikha ng Diyos. Ang lahat ng mga ito ay tinatawag niyang mga kapatid, dahil iisa ang ating Ama sa langit. Kanyang binibigyan ng halaga at pansin ang mga puno, bulaklak, kabundukan, ilog, ulap, hangin, at siyempre, ang mga hayop. Dito sa seminaryo, aming tinutuluran si Amang San Francisco sa pangangalaga ng mga aso at pusa. Ipapakilala ko sila sa inyo� Ang mga alaga namin ay sila Pangit, Bambie, Chocolate, Bobby, at si Muning na nag-iisang pusa. Si Pangit (binibigkas na Pan-dyit) ay matagal ng aso dito sa seminary, siya ang pinaka-lolo ng lahat. Sa katunayan nga ay lumabas na rin siya ng isang taon para mag�-regency para hanapin ang sarili sa labas. Subalit nabigo siya pagkalipas ng panahon at bumalik siya ulit dito sa seminary. Siya ay maluwag namang tinanggap muli ng kapatiran dito sa Lipa. Ang inggles po ng Pangit ay ugly. Ang tunay po niyang pangalan ay Hercules, ngunit dahil siya ay matanda na at kulubot na ang kanyang balat, nabago na ang tawag sa kanya� Si Bambie naman ay ang aming basset hound. Siya ay pandak ngunit mahaba ng aso, ang kanyang mga tainga ay abot sa sahig dahil iyong ang isang katangian ng kanyang lahi. Siya ay nagsilang ng siyam na tuta noong Enero, ngunit ngayon lima na lamang dahil namatay na ang iba. Siya ngayon ay isang mabuting ina sa kanyang mga itoy. Hindi pa po namin nabibigyan ng pangalan ang mga tuta, kung may mga alam po kayong magandang pangalan, sana�y ipaalam niyo po sa amin. Sila muna ang aming ipinakilala ngayon, antabayanan niyo ang susunod na pagkakataon dahil itutuloy namin ang pagpapakilala ng aming ibang mga alaga. Ang payo ko sa lahat ng aking mga kapatid at sa lahat ng tao ay mahalin natin ang ating mga alaga, dahil katulad ng tao, nilikha rin sila ng Panginoon at may karapatang mabuhay dito sa mundo sa ating pangangalaga. Springtime in the Seminary By Paulo Jesus Z. Nazareno P1 The Easter Cycle of our liturgical year has begun last February 6, Ash Wednesday which commenced our Season of Lent. We now once more, enter into a more intense observance of fasting, prayer and penance. The imposition of ashes of the burnt palms that were blessed last year�s Passion Sunday started our preparation for Easter. Of course, Lent bears a meaning of its own; originally lencten which means �spring� or �springtime� � this season providentially guides us in our journey towards the Paschal Feast. Here in the seminary, these forty days of Lent is marked by a worthy number of practices that would help every brother in a more profound contemplation of the mysteries we will celebrate after our Lenten retreat. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance. Before entering into Lent, we all had the chance to receive this salutary Sacrament of Healing. We had our confession with Br. Leny Escalada, OFMCap on the Monday preceding Ash Wednesday at the Chapel. Fasting and abstinence. We began our heightened fasting and abstinence last Ash Wednesday. Also encouraged to spend the day in silence and solitude, we brothers are given the chance to spend pensive time on our own, denying ourselves the regular conversations we used to enjoy. We are also invited to spend individual meals. Wednesdays and Fridays are particularly set apart for this observance. Lenten Solitude. The liturgical ministry of the seminary has prepared a carefully planned schedule for each brother to have a turn in this season�s solitude. In periodic alternation, two brothers get to spend three days in the solitary room of the two kubos a few yards from the seminary. They have been named, Saint Clare (the kubo closer to the Community Room) and Saint Francis (the farther one). This time has been arranged for us to spend time in deeper personal prayer and meditation. Taming of the senses. Our TV/Film Viewing every Tuesdays and Saturdays have also been tamed. Finding delight and pleasure in watching films of our choice, we have reduced the number of times in watching secular films so to enter into the fasting of our senses. We instead spend some of these hours in study or on Saturdays, watch a film about the lives of saints with a guide for reflection; this is not, in any way giving into our senses as we are called to emulate the sacrificing and selfless lives of the holy members of our Church who freely chose to live in penance, prayer, and works of mercy. Eucharistic Adoration. In the hope to enrich our Lenten experience, the liturgy ministry also set time for us to adore the Blessed Sacrament on Fridays from morning until afternoon. Brothers are able to spend half an hour in the Chapel to adore the Most Holy Body of Christ. Franciscan Way of the Cross. On the Fridays of Lent, we all gather around in solemnity in remembrance of our Lord�s way to Calvary. We move from one place to another, tracing our Lord Jesus� steps towards his Crucifixion. This is quite a special experience as we are guided by a Franciscan version of the Stations of the Cross; still of fourteen stations, our Friday afternoons are also filled with passages and reflections from Franciscan sources. The counsels and words of our Holy Father Saint Francis of Assisi lead us in our contemplation of the Paschal mystery. Our daily Eucharistic celebrations, of course, accompany all our observances. The Holy Eucharist remains to be central to all these endeavors, being the most salutary of all these gifts. All these practices would properly usher us in our spiritual preparation for the Paschal Triduum and to the great feast of our Lord�s Resurrection. We are, above all, deeply grateful to God for giving us this season of Lent for it is truly an indispensable one for every Christian. Truly, it shall be springtime here in the seminary as we would allow the unsullied blooming of our spirits through these pious works. May all that we say and do begin in the Lord�s name and end in His love. |