Ormoc City, Philippines. During the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday morning of July 7, 2019, twenty young men made their First Profession in the hands of Fr. Elias Ayuban, Jr., CMF, Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province. The profession took place at the St. Anthony de Padua Chapel of the neighboring Franciscan formation house in Sitio Ocrep, Barangay Milagro, Ormoc City in the island of Leyte. In the history of the Organism, this is the biggest number of novices making the vows for the first time: 14 Vietnamese, 6 Filipinos. It is to note that some of these newly consecrated will be sent to other Organisms to continue their formation.

In his homily, Fr. Larry Miranda, CMF, Provincial Prefect of Apostolate, emphasized on the joyful living of the vow of chastity, on being one with the poor people while remaining poor for the Lord, and on being obedient to the superior at all times. He also stressed on “being sent”, the core of being missionary, on always remembering the faces of the people whom they’ve met, and to always come back to the Lord with joyful hearts.

Local people from the villages under the care of the Claretian Missionaries in Ormoc where these novices used to do their apostolate, as well as the relatives and friends of those who professed also joined the celebration. A simple meal and program followed at the Claret Novitiate House after the Eucharistic celebration.