Foundation Day Celebrated
By Pre-Postulant Sandy Bahia
“And so, I vow to God, chastity, poverty, and obedience…”
Marking the 160th Foundation Day of Claret Congregation, at least nine brothers made their renewal of temporal religious profession at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish inQuezon City last July 16, 2009.
Committed in the community of apostolate life of this congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary are Claretian Scholastics Arvin Bellen, Efren Decrito, Paul Van Luyen, James Maung Maung Tan, Charles Jocris Mortela, Peter Phan Van Dat, Thomas Tran Van Kiem, Joseph Ray Villarin, and John Xue Rui Jun.
The renewal of profession was received by the Rev. Fr. Renato Manubag, CMF, the Provincial Superior of Claretian Missionaries, Philippine Province.
We’re gathered here
The celebration of the profession and Claret Foundation Day brought the Claretian family together, including priests, seminarians from Saint Anthony Mary Claret College Seminary (SAMCCS), the pre-postulants, postulants, theologians and sisters from the Religious of Mary Immaculate Claretian Missionary Sisters.
Talk and play
The afternoon visit of the college seminarians at Claret School of Quezon City was the highlight of the feast day. One to two seminarians were assigned in a particular classroom for their vocation experience sharing.
Sem. Nelson Doctama Jr., a sophomore student who was assigned to Grade Five pupils for story sharing, found it hard when dealing with the kids. “Ang gulo nila…pero nakinig naman sila (they are so rowdy there, but at least they listened),” Sem. Doctama said. On the other hand, Sem. Brian Isleta, a freshman who was placed with the 4th year students was in great surprise after experiencing the students’ hospitality.
“Mababait sila at magagaling (They are kind and smart),” Sem. Isleta said. At 4:00 pm, Claret college seminarians versus the postulants, theologians and priests amused the audience in a basketball game at Claret School covered court.
Though non-stop heavy rain poured throughout the Foundation Day, the celebration was so much fun. |
