Quezon City, Philippines. The Claret Seminary in Quezon City, on July 15, 2022, is blessed to witness the First Profession of Harold Tan, the renewal of several scholastics, and the Perpetual Profession of Schs. Ho Sy Nam, Nguyen Hoang Vuong, and Ian Rio Dacayanan, CMFF. Scholastic Ian is from the Independent Delegation of East Asia. The Provincial Superior, Fr. Elias Ayuban, Jr. CMF, received their vows and presided over the Eucharistic Celebration in which he reminded the brothers about perseverance in their vocation. In his homily, he emphasized the phrase “Do not be afraid” which is written 365 times in the bible. It is an assurance of God that he is with us each day, so one shouldn’t be afraid.
Last July 16, 2022, the Claretian Family gathered at the church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish to witness the presbyteral ordination of Revs. Jimmy Saw Htwe and Wigbert Papa, CMFF, and the diaconal ordination of Schs. Jeffrey Rasay, Edward Naing Lin Htun, Pham Hoang Thai, Nguyen Huu Tinh, and Nguyen Xuan Hiep, CMFF, through laying of hands by His Excellency, Most Rev. Leo Dalmao, CMF, of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. Bishop Leo explained the congregation’s mission to the newly ordained and reminded them about the challenges ahead.
Two priests and five deacons for Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province. One of them, Fr. Jimmy Saw Htwe, CMF, is the first Claretian priest from Myanmar. Fr. Htwe, 35, belongs to the Sagaw Karen ethnic community in Myanmar’s Pathein Diocese. The other one, Fr. Wigbert Papa, CMF, of Cadaruhan, Malitbog, Southern Leyte (Philippines), is the Provincial Secretary of the Province.
Furthermore, the Claret Seminary welcomed the twenty-three new aspirants and formally accepted them to the pre-novitiate formation last July 17, 2022, along with the eight postulants. Fr. Wigbert Papa, CMF, celebrated his first mass while Fr. Elias, facilitated the acceptance of the new seminarians and new postulants, assuring them all the support and guidance of the community, especially the formators. Fr. Angelito Ancla, CMF, also took his oath of fidelity as the new Local Superior of the Claret Seminary community. He reminded the seminarians about the Mission of the Congregation, and while staying in the Seminary, their mission is their formation.
The three-day back-to-back celebration is filled with the enthusiasm of everyone, living out the legacy of St. Anthony Mary Claret. May the vocation in the Claretian Family continues to grow, answering the call of mission and blazing the world on fire with love.
