Congratulations to the Newly Professed Marist Brothers!

I just arrived this afternoon at 4:30 from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao together with some members of the Faculty of Notre Dame of Kidapawan College. I attended the First Profession as Marist Brothers of Bro. Leonel Roy S. Arpon, FMS of Archdiocese of Cotabato, Bro. Nelson L. Beltran, FMS of Archdiocese of Zamboanga, and Bro. Nolasco O. Gavilan III, FMS also of the Archdiocese of Cotabato.

Bro. Roy, FMS was assigned in NDKC for his exposure as a Novice.

The ceremony held at the De Mazenod Auditorium of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was very simple yet so meaningful. After long years of formation in the Aspirancy House at Gen. Santos City and in the Novitiate House at Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, the three brothers will now be entering a very challenging point in their lives as Marist Brothers.

Rev. Fr. Eduardo Santoyo, OMI was the main presider of the mass while Bro. Manuel V. De Leon, FMS, Provincial Superior of the Marist East Asia Province led the Rite of Profession.

It was like attending a wedding because at the Processional of the Eucharistic Celebration, the three Brothers were accompanied by their parents. In the said event, they vowed to live a simple, chaste and celibate life. Like a groom to his bride, they promised to serve the Church as St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, did.

The occasion was graced with the presence of the Brothers and Lay People coming from the different Marist communities in the Philippines such as Jolo, Buda, Koronadal, Marikina, Gen. Santos, Cotabato, and Kidapawan City. The Ad Gentes Brothers coming from Malaysia, Italy, Argentina, and Spain were also present. It was also attended by different religious people from various congregations.

After the mass, we all went to the Dining Hall for the reception. We enjoyed the food prepared by the Oblates of Notre Dame (OND) Sisters. It was also a time to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Marist Novitiate in the Philippines. During the program, Bro. Manuel, FMS and Bro. Rustico, FMS unveiled the schematic diagram of the Novitiate and the logo of its 5oth Anniversary.

Here are some other pictures taken from the said event.

I'm with Bro. Fernando Armendez, FMS, the oldest Filipino Marist Brother who was trained in New York, USA.

I met Bro. Paul, NFMS, a Korean novice who was one of the busiest persons in charge during the Celebration. This happens to be my first picture with a Korean National.

This is the logo of the Golden Annivesary Celebration of the Marist Novitiate in the Philippines.

At the Reception Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

At the Parking Area of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto