At the outset of a new school year, once again, the Philippine Province of the Ministers of the Infirm was blessed with a number of vocations - of young men ready and willing to live a life of service towards the sick. And so the Province celebrated three important events in one Eucharistic celebration last May 31, 2008. These are the admission to the novitiate, renewal of temporary vows, and the perpetual profession of vows held at St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Camillus de Lellis Church in the Provincialate Compound. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Ivo Anselmi, MI, Provincial Superior of the Province, and concelebrated by Camillian priests and some priest friends.

Of course, the highlight of the celebration was the perpetual profession of Fr. Francis Zhang, MI, from Xian, China. His profession makes him the very first Camillian from Mainland China. After four years of Camillian formation in the Philippines, at last, Fr. Francis is now a full-pledged Camillian.

Back from the Mountain

A week before renewing their vows, the scholastics went for spiritual renewal under the guidance of Msgr. Pete Getingan on the mountain of Tagaytay. Only 14 scholastics joined this annual retreat on May 19-23, 2008 in Charles Borromeo Retreat House.  The other scholastics had their retreat with Fr. Evan after their CPE course.

Spiritually renewed, rejuvenated and revitalized on the mountain, we headed downward to Manila straight on to Quirino Grandstand on May 23.   We joined the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Ceremony whose battle cry was “Never Give Up, Never Forget.” The ceremony took place from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. The Camillians represented the only male congregation among the religious from different female congregations. The activity was organized by the Philippine National AIDS Council and other NGOs. The Camillian community was one with others in supporting people with HIV and in affirming the dignity as children of God of those living with AIDS.  The candle was lit to pay respect to those who have died of the virus.

Fr. Antonio Didoné, MI (left, seated) celebrated his 50th ordination anniversary last June 14, 2008 at the St. Camillus Center for the Mentally Retarded in Sanshing Hsian (in the vicinity of Lotung).  Shown in the picture are Most Rev. John Hung, DD, SVD, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Taiwan, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration and Fr. Giuseppe Didoné, MI.

On September 21, 2008 the graduates of St. Camillus College Seminary will gather for their very first alumni homecoming.  All graduates starting with Batch 1980 (graduates of the then St. Camillus Formation Center)  are invited to join the half-day morning affair which will take place at the college seminary in Marikina City.  Besides being a reunion, the gathering is also meant to set off the preparatory process for the 25th Foundation Anniversary of the seminary in 2009.

Fr. Rey Sentillas, MI, SCCS Rector, can be contacted for further details.

Flores de Mayo got off to a smashing start here in Balugo.  Children attended religion classes taught by cathechists .  The month ended with confessions held at our chapel for over an hour.

Vacation is over.  It’s time to bid goodbye to the realms of the outside world.  Goodbye to those who accommodated us in our two-month stay beyond the four corners of our real world.  Goodbye to our parents.  Goodbye to our foster parents.  Goodbye to our friends, girl and boy friends.  Goodbye to our bar hopping and outing.  Goodbye to those beautiful and favorite places we long to be.

Flores de Mayo - Santacruzan 2008

The Filipino Catholic Community (FCC) in the Diocese of Essen celebrated the Flores de Mayo / Santacruzan last May 31 in Kamillushaus, Essen Heidhausen. It was, indeed, a successful celebration!