We’re Alive and Kickin’!

After more than two months of spiritual intensification here in the Novitiate, it is time to break the privacy and let everyone have a glimpse of where the Novices spend their days. Many are intrigued about the kind of Novitiate Formation we get here because we are the first batch (for sure there will be a second) who successfully finished a five-month integration process; the first (and again there will be more next to us) to stay in Antipolo City and be handled by Fr. Ruben J. Mandin; and the batch (hopefully, the last) with the least number – now we’re down to two.

Our business here is not only to pray. First, we aspire for growth in human maturity, to see our compatibility with living the evangelical vows. Next, we aim to deepen our intimacy with God, to grow in the life of prayer. Last, we plan to acquire knowledge of consecrated life, specifically of the Camillian Life (and so even here we are haunted by studies).  To accomplish such noble objectives, we:

• Join the Exodus

This is not the same with those fleeing the wrath of MILF rebels. EXODUS (Exchange of Dreams in a Unified Struggle for Relevant Formation) is an association of Novices in Manila, now in its 21st year. It is the first time that the Camillians joined the group. Our batch is composed of 13 congregations (7 men and 6 women congregations) with more than 56 novices from different countries. We finished two modules last July - one is about Creative Liturgy held at the Camillian Sisters convent in Kingsville and the other is Centering Prayer held at the Montfort Fathers House in New Manila. On August 26-27, there will be another module about Body Prayer to be held at the Scholasticate of O. Carm in Quezon City. Though composed of different congregations and nationalities, we did not stick to our differences but rather to our similarities as one body journeying towards holiness. Everything is shared with the group. Food, icebreakers, questions, stories and reflections must not be kept to oneself. The ability to listen and accept others is challenged. Definitely, EXODUS is a stepping stone toward becoming effective servants of the sick.

• Have sessions

On weekdays, from 10:30 to 11:45 in the morning, the Novices shake off those preoccupations to focus on the sessions. At present, we are discussing the Camillian History - the past general chapters and superior generals of the Order. At least we now know that the spirit of our Founder is really pushing for the ‘complete service’ to the sick that he even called the Pope to intervene in this matter. For those who want to acquire the heart of our Founder, is this a call for brotherhood?

• Clean

The practical reason why we do this is that no one else will do it. There is however always a deeper meaning in it. Manualia and laboranda develop discipline, focus, initiative, and many other human qualities. Remember that this is the counterpart of prayer in the Benedictine Rule. So the vacant lot at the back of the clinic and the whole building primarily are our second masters aside from the sick. We serve them like slaves. This is the disadvantage of being few. (But what’s good is that we have an abundance of graces! Wala kaming kaagaw!)

• Have an apostolate

We are so blessed to be in Camillus Medhaven where we truly experience what it is to care. We work as caregivers, on duty from 2 to 10pm, every Sunday. We do corporal works like mopping, serving food, feeding the residents, assisting them to their beds, and performing other functions that a caregiver typically does. The books only offer a portion of what Camillus’ spirit is all about; the entirety is to be found in the sick. And so here until now we are slowly uncovering this spirit. To serve them in a different way (as a caregiver) is an innovative approach to really discover who the sick is.

Pray – this is the fulcrum of our life here, the one that makes us go on and bear the pain of solitude. No doubt, it should be part of the life not only of the Novices but of all of us.

• Others

The Camillian Update is not enough to enumerate what else we do. This only means that our Novitiate is never a boring, routinary life. Every day, there is something new. Ooops! I would like to include one more thing. With the Novitiate here in Antipolo, we get a lot of chance to visit nearby Camillian communities, which is impossible if we were in Baguio. There is always a blessing in disguise. We just have to look in every direction!