Deacon to be at the service of the poor

Today December 12, took place in Payatas, Philippines in Our Lady of Divine Providence Parish the Diaconate Ordination of Brother Justin Bamouni fdp. It was a beautiful, more family colored ceremony than a parochial one. Attendance were the confreres of Montalban, one confrere from Lucena, the host community of Brother Justin, the confreres of Payatas, Father John Castillo fdp, parish priest, and Father Julio Cuesta fdp, Director of the Community, and our sisters of the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity together with their aspirants and postulants. Father Julio Cuesta has not missed saying humorously that "the parish church today is dressed all in white" referring to the fact that it was composed almost entirely of our seminarians in Philosophy, accompanied by their rector Fr. Stan Achi fdp, our brothers Novices with their Father Master and Coordinator of the Mission in the Philippines, Father Anthony Eucinei fdp, the religious brother in tirocinium and only few faithful parishioners.

In his homily, the Most Reverent  Antonio Tobias, Bishop of Novaliches Diocese and great friend of the Congregation, explained the merits and the meaning of diaconal service and invites brother Justin to stay Deacon-Servant forever, that is to say, never tiring serving and especially to be servant of all and of the poor and the needy.

The Mass was beautiful, simple but solemn because of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the Patronesses of the Philippines.

Montalban, 1st Orione Youth Day, OYD 2015

"Youth are the sun or storm of tomorrow." Inspired by this prophetic thought of our dearly beloved Founder Saint Luigi Orione, our seminarians and the Novice have organized for a great first here in Montalban "the Orione Youth day".

The idea came from the Sunday apostolate and Catechesis groups. Their intention, was how to help the young people they do meeting every Sunday to discover one of our charismatic identity, the love of Don Orione for the youth and the prominent place he gives them.

So our Seminarians have therefore solicited the cooperation of the Friendship of Don Orione, an association of lay people on the way to become the Orionine Lay Movement (MLO) here in Montalban. The coordinator of this association of Orionine lay people, Ken Ramilla Formanes Bonotan, called Kuya Ken, with the help of his collaborators and members has done “hands and feet” to see this activity become a success. Planned at the beginning for only some thirty or fifty young from the chapels where our youth go for the apostolate, this activity has turned to become a real Youth Day. One hundred and thirty and beyond, according to the official listing were the youth who have responded to the invitation. The compound of the Saint Luigi Orione Seminary was for two day transformed in a camp site with youth running everywhere.

Masskara: The Face of Seminary in the Modern World

The Orionine Community in Montalban held the carousing Masquerade Festival for the night in relation to the various incidents of formation. On the 16^th of November, the seminarians, novices, religious, priests, the Cottolengo family and many lay people celebrated with us the monthly Orionight. We started with the Eucharistic celebration presided by the four priests, Fr. Anthony, our Superior, Fr. Stan, the Rector, Fr. Stefan, the Vicar of the Community and special participation of Fr. John Castillo who came from our parish community in Payatas. . We solemnly finished the mass with different joy as we first invited to wear artistic mask for the entire night. At first, it will sound indifferent to wear masks in hiding the self but we end up smiling as we displayed the beautiful maskara in our faces.

“Come n See” 2015

Vocation we all know is a call from God. But to discern one's vocation there is need of human support. The Saint Luigi Orione Seminary organizes for the young boys in search and discernment of their vocation a Come and see session this coming December 2015 her inside the Seminary for four days.

You are young boy, 16-25 years old,

You are Catholic, Baptized and Confirmed,

You are in High School, Graduated or in College,

You feel God is calling you to serve him,

You want to experience the Seminary life,

You thirst to serve Christ in serving your brothers and sisters and the most poor of our society!

The Saint Luigi Orione Seminary invites you for a “Vocational Session”,

“Come n See” 2015.

 Date: December 27 to 30, 2015

Place: The Saint Luigi Orione Seminary, Montalban

Theme: Jesus is Calling you … Come and see!

Four (4) days of deep intimacy with Christ at the school of Saint Luigi Orione.

The Saint Luigi Orione Seminary is located in San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal, inside the Cottolengo Filipino.

This session is offered to you by the Divine Providence to discover your Vocation. Don’t miss the opportunity.

Contact: Saint Luigi Orione Seminary, Gloria Vista Subdivision, Brgy San Rafael, Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal 1860    -    Antipolo Diocese.

Phone: (02) 656 4021

Cell: +63 922 394 7929 NB: Call please to confirm your presence and participation.

Email: fdpvocations@yahoo.com          http://luigiorioneseminary.blogspot.com/

Haec Domus Mea: "Holyween night" with Mary.

The dawn of 31^st day of October, the seminary community witnessed again the mysterious yet conclusive calling of God upon repentance and reconciliation. As we usually do, recollection held upon the grace of God to reconcile our hearts into a deep religious commitment. We centralized Mary as our theme for the day with Fr. Stan as our keynote speaker.

October is the Month of the Blessed Virgin who invites us to be the soldiers in praying the Rosary. In her motherly guidance, the faithful are invited to offer these aromatic roses at her feet and present it to Jesus, her Son.

Mary is entitled as God-bearer. A living tabernacle that gave birth to the God incarnate at the obscured village. 
This Month of the Holy Rosary reveals the maternal manifestations of the Blessed Lady who became the first apostle of Jesus, and later on considered to be the tenet of Catholic faith.
How could it be that a young ordinary girl, no commitment and not interested in earthly things, will abruptly become the centerpiece of the church’s history? 

Saint Luigi Orione Seminary at Morong Bataan Beach

The first semester of 2015-2016 has been closed in the "Saint Anthony Mary Claret College". To mark this step of the academic year and to thank God for experienced events and the gift of brotherhood, seminarians and formation team of the "Saint Luigi Orione Seminary" gave themselves an appointment at the beautiful beach of Morong Bataan, last October 10 to 11. Two days of relaxation and resourcing one self before getting ready for the second semester.

The joy was perceptible on every face. No one has been prayed before plunging into the salty waters of this beautiful bay of the Pacific Ocean.

This outing was punctuated with Eucharistic celebration at the beach to give thanks to the Creator of the Waters and Earth, Seas and Oceans. And one could easily feel and hear humming here and there the "Canticle of Creation" of the Little Poor of Assisi: “Be praised Good Lord for Brother Sun who brings us each new day… Be praised for Sister Water: humble, helpful, precious, pure; she cleanses us in rivers and renews us in rain…”

Ad Jesum Per Mariam

Solemn and fantastic post-semestral recollection happened in the seminary function hall this 3^rd day of October. As one catholic defender will say, “Catholics are frequently criticized because of the prominence and respect given to the Virgin Mary while simultaneously condemned for not giving enough prominence and respect to women.”

October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Congregation considers Mary, Mother of the Church, as our heavenly foundress. God, the Father did not chose Jesus to come for us except through the “Fiat” of Mama Mary, and we cannot go to Jesus without the aid of His mother.

Philippines, Orionine Religious Annual Retreat 2015.

From the 21st to 26th of September, 2015, the Orionine religious of the Philippines gathered at the Sacred Heart Retreat House of Quezon City, Manila, for their Annual retreat. From Montalban (St. Luigi Orione Seminary, Noviciate and Cottolengo Filipino), Payatas (Mother of the Divine Providence Parish) and Lucena, they were driven, five days to reflect on different aspects of their personal life as Orionine. The preacher, Rev. Fr. Oreste Ferrari, Superior of the Missionary Delegation "Mother of the Church", which includes the Philippines, Kenya, the USA, Jordan, India, Ireland, and Great Britain with seat in Rome did not fail day after day to invite his confreres to build and feed themselves on a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord.

Vocation: Witnessing to the truth of life

St. Luigi Orione strongly once said, “The society without priests would be like a menagerie of wild beasts, and the world would plunge into barbarity”. Priestly life is a paradigmatic dimension of Jesus’ passion narrative and ministry who promotes salvation. In a sense, making a life in front of the Crucified Christ entail self-denial and total dedication.

The 26^th of September becomes more meaningful as the seminary witness the outpouring blessings of God through drops of rains. The Montalban Community were celebrating the gift of abundant vocations in Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel as the seven of our Seminarians pledge their desires to Fr. Oreste, the Superior of the Delegation.  A postulant (from Latin: postulare, to ask) is the one who originally asks, makes a request or demand therefore a candidate. In God’s Providence, seven Filipino seminarians entered the postulancy- and are willing to be guided by the help of the postulant master. These are Post. Jeric Batas, Post. Nestor Taroy, Post. Czar Lawrenz Ponaya, Post. Randy Pasuengos, Post. Antero Mejos, Post. Antonio Ogardo, and Post. Mark Kevin Tuprio. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist was presided by Rev. Fr. Oreste Ferrari, FDP, assisted by Fr. Anthony de Souza, FDP and Fr. Stan Achi, FDP. The Mass was attended by some lay people who often come for masses on Saturdays in the chapel outside the Cottolengo Filipino.

Mabuhay si Fr Oreste sa Pilipinas

September 19, 2015. The community of St. Luigi Orione Seminary in Montalban, Rizal was blessed to have the Delegate Superior of the Missionary Delegation “Mother of the Church”, Rev. Fr. Oreste Ferrari, FDP, in their regular community meeting every Saturday. The Delegate Superior arrived in the Philippines on the night of September 18, fresh from Rome. The Saint Luigi Orione Seminary gave him a warm welcome before the meeting started.

”Friends of Don Orione, Friends of Christ”

Another remarkable celebration who was believed to be the foundation of mutual participations of the religious and lay people. On the 16^th of every month, the Montalban Community - seminary, the novitiate and Cottolengo Filipino - is remembering the canonization of St. Luigi Orione as it was declared by St. John Paul II on May 16, 2004. The Orionight, etymologically from Don Orione’s name and was compressed with night means a night of culmination: cavalcade of singing and dancing in honor to the Saint Founder. The commemoration began with the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Anthony, the Superior of the community, assisted by Fr. Stefan, Community Vicar and Fr. Stan as the in-charge of the seminary.

Why are you here?

The seminarians and religious rose one morning on the 29^th of August, taking the sacred silence which conquers the solemnity of the whole compound. Having the ambiance, everybody took their journal and a Bible, went out into a quite field beside the seminary chapel- others find their own place where they can have their contemplation. It was the day with the Lord, when the birds are singing, the world awake. Seminarians often marvel at the exuberance of birds in the early morning. Sometimes, considering the sparrow can help to imitate the simplicity of life. What a wonderful recollection shared with pure silence and repentance.

Don Orione Saint: May 16, 2015 in Montalban

11 years of canonization of Don Orione, 15 years of the Cottolengo Filipino.

The feast of the May 16, 2015 was marked with a special stamp this year in the Orionine Community of Montalban in the Philippines.

In the , a unique Eucharistic celebration, we have commemorated the 11th anniversary of the Canonisation of our Founder, Don Luigi Orione and the 15 years of the Cottolengo Filipino's foundation.

During the Mass presided by Rev. Father Antonio Eucinei De Souza, coordinator of the mission in the Philippines, surrounded by the confreres Father Diego Lorenzi, Father Julio Cuesta, Father Stefan Bulai, Father Stan Achi and Father John Castillio, Father Antonio did not fail to stress the link between these two events. He presented St Luigi Orione as the Apostle of Charity, Father of the Poor, the Benefactor of all Suffering and outcast who bends constantly where human misery is lived and where one is confined to the existential peripheries. It is this zeal for the poor and the love for those living in the existential peripheries that pushed his spiritual son to lay the missionary tent of the congregation in this archipelago of the Pacific Ocean.

Let's note that it will soon be 25 years (1991-2016) as the first Orionines missionaries, Father Luigi Piccoli and Father Oreste Ferrari, on the invitation of the Archbishop Mgr. Sin and the mandate of the Superior General Don Guiseppe Masiero implanted the Congregation in the Philippines.

ENGLISH MISSIONARY DELEGATION: Has been appointed the new Superior and the Council.

The Missionary Delegation "Mother of the Church" has its new Council for the period 2015-2018.

The Missionary Delegation was founded in 2006 as a connection link of some missionaries’ presences, especially in those countries which have English as first or second language: UK, USA, Ireland, Jordan, the Philippines, Kenya, and India. The Delegation has its legal headquarters in Rome.

Has been appointed new Delegate Superior Fr. Oreste Ferrari. The confrere, Italian from Botticino (Brescia), has dedicated his religious life to missions. After his first year of priesthood in the community of Milan, he has been, along with Don Luigi Piccoli, founder of the mission in Payatas, in the Philippines (1991-1993). 

After a brief presence in Nairobi, with Don Vallauri, to start in Kenya and help in the UK (1995-1996), he has been in Zarka, in Jordan, from1996-2002; since 2002, he has been the initiator of the mission in India, in Bangalore and then in Kollam.

"The Superior of the Delegation is a personal delegate of the Superior General and carries out some work for of communion and coordination between the various missions and the Director General ” (Statute No. 3).