Rev. Father Noeh Elnar in the Cottolengo Filipino

A beautiful and comforting visit. That is all that one can say of it. The community of the Sons of Divine Providence of Montalban, composed of the Saint Luigi Orione Seminary, the Novitiate and the Cottolengo has got the joy of a heart-warming fraternal visit of Rev. Father Noeh Elnar, newly appointed Parish Priest of the Saint Raphael Archangel Parish of Montalban, Rizal.

Upon invitation of the Superior of the Community, Rev. Father Anthony Eucinei De Souza, Father Noeh accepted to come and celebrate with us the Holy Eucharist this Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 6am. The Mass was held in the Chapel of the Seminary, concelebrated by Fr. Anthony Eucinei, FDP, Novice Master and Superior, Fr. Stefan Bulai, FDP, Director of the Cottolengo and Fr. Stan, FDP, In charge of Seminary. Fr. Justin Bamouni, FDP was absent for schedule in the sisters of St. Anne’s community. The whole Community welcomed with great joy Father Noeh.

February 2nd in Montalban.

For years, since 1997, the church dedicates the liturgical celebration of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (February 2) as special occasion to remember and pray for the consecrated men and women, who live and try to incarnate in the church the form of the personal life of Jesus in poverty, Chastity, obedience, in community and in other forms monastic and secular life.

In 1997, Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

The Entrance to Postulancy

In view of religious parlance, discernment is being made from the deepest reflection out of solitary moments and prayerful encounters. Imagining a person in decision crisis, the Holy Bible will say, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "HERE AM I, send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

The Silver Jubilee in the Servitude of Christ and the Poor

The congregation here in the Philippines is indeed grateful for the visit of the General Council. It becomes an opportunity for many of the priests, religious and aspirants to be with the Superior General, Fr. Tarcisio Gregorio Vieira, fdp – the 8^th Succesor of St. Luigi Orione. Together with his presence is the Vicar General of the Congregation and the Superior Delegate, Fr. Oreste Ferrari, fdp.

Father Anthony @40.

A popular saying goes that “Life begins at 40.” Last November 7, 2016, the Superior of the Sons of Divine Providence in Montalban and Coordinator of the Orionine Mission in the Philippines became a young adult while blowing his 40^th candle. Fr. Anthony Eucinei De Souza can now say with great humour: “I’m not 40, I’m just 18 plus 22 years’ experience in life.”

The feast of the Superior being the feast of the whole Community, the Sons of Divine Providence in Montalban celebrated solemnly with thanksgiving the Birthday of Fr. Anthony. Among the attendants were our brothers from Payatas, Fr. John Castillo the Parish Priest, Fr. Julio Cuesta and Fr. Joseph Van Cu. Many friends, parishioners, workers of the Cottolengo, Friendship of Don Orione and Kabataan ni Don Orione Movement (KDOM) joined also to express they closeness to our birthday celebrant.

The compound of the seminary was resplendent in the colors and sounds of the 40 candles of the Superior and Novice Master. After the holy Eucharist, we all gathered to share a fraternal meal with presentations from the Seminarians, the Novices, the Children from the Cottolengo and the KDOM. To Fr Anthony, we wish once again a blessed 40^th Anniversary of life and many blessings in the years ahead to come.

Like a Rose, Trampled on the Ground.

In the paradigm of philosophy of religion, the process of crucifixion is defined to be the game of vulnerability. Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will and feel that He is so helpless hanging on the wood for criminals. This example outlives the Christian spirit most especially the promise of eternal life, involving a participation concept between God and man.

"I am crucified with Christ" was the theme of the Orionight on the 15th of October 2016. It was taken from the letter of Paul to the Galatian 2:23. The whole celebration made a memorable event that intact in the minds of all brothers and sisters. Though it was raining, it made no hindrance to postpone the event. The friends and youths of Don Orione made an effort to attend the celebration. Likewise, the seminary invited people coming from different chapels of St. Raphael Archangel Parish. They contribute much of the happiness which everyone experienced. They also took this event as an opportunity to gather and share the joy to one another.

FDP Phillipines, Annual Retreat 2016

The Confreres Sons of Divine Providence in the Philippines gathered for their one-week annual retreat from October 17 – 22, 2016 at the Augustinian Contemplative Nuns (OSA) Retreat House in Carmel Farms, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. They have been accompanied during this one-week reflection by Rev. Fr. Fausto Franceschi in mission in India.

Eleven (11) people, composed of six religious priests and five religious brothers from the three houses we count in the Philippines (Lucena, Montalban, Payatas) were the attendants. Fr. Anthony, the coordinator of the Mission and Novice Master was not able to attend due to his responsibility and also the eight other newly profes brothers for academic reasons. Fr. Stefan Bulai as well was not able to join because being in Romania at this moment for the sad news of the sudden departure of his mother Tereza Bulai at the Father’s house. The last day Father Anthony and the Novices joined for the closing Eucharistic celebration.

During these six days, we have been taken by Fr. Fausto to journey the road of the Father’s Mercy. The main topic was the Year of Mercy with a particular insistence on the work of mercy analyzed at the light of the Holy Scriptures, the Magisterium of the Church and the Orionine Magisterium.