Advent Recollection of the Bl. Maria Sagrario TOC Community, Pampanga

On December 13, the Carmelite tertiaries of Pampanga conducted their advent recollection focusing on the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux. This was held in the rustic town of San Luis, Pampanga at the Parish Church of St. Aloysious Gonzaga. The recollection started at 3:00 pm and ended at 6:00 pm culminating with a Holy Mass. Bro. Severino Santos was formally received to the Order as an aspirant after adminitering the Rites of Admission to Formation. After the mass, a small dinner was held at the parish refectory together with Fr. Fernando David, parish priest.

The recollection was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Ver Rhoniel Cristobal, TOCarm.

Image of St. Therese at the venue of the recollection

Fr. Rhoniel explaining the meaning of advent and what is a recollection as a prelude to his talk

The aspirants listening to the talk

Fr. Rhoniel explainig the importance of recollection and what is joy in the spirituality of St. Therese

Sis. Elvie, prioress of the Community, reading the 1st reading

Sis. Linda, treasurer of the community, reading the 2nd reading

Imposition of the Brown Scapular to Bro. Severino Santos

(Rite of Admission to Formation of Aspirants)

Small dinner at the parish refectory

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church at night

The Widow of Zarephath

Blessed Angelo Paoli

Venerable Angelo Paoli will be beatified in Rome on 18th April 2010

Venerable Angelo Paoli will be beatified in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome on 18th April next. This date has been recently confirmed by the Roman Vicariate.Angelo Paoli (b. Argigliano 1642, d. Rome 1720) became a Carmelite in 1660 and was ordained in 1667. After living in various houses in the Tuscan Province he was called to Rome in 1687 by the then Prior General, Paul of St Ignatius, and he lived at our house of St. Martino ai Monti until his death. He is now buried there. He was a man with an intense spiritual life and love of the Virgin. Wherever he was he committed himself to serving the poor and the sick, organising help for them, which was both innovative and effective. We are all invited to prepare for this solemn beatification with initiatives that help to make this figure of holiness in Carmel better known. Although distant in time, his message is still relevant. The beatification is an encouragement to us to be equally ready to recognize Christ in the most needy and to serve them with dedication and love.

Advent Recollection of TOC Province of St. Joseph

The Lay Carmelites of the Province of St. Joseph - District of Bulacan conducted its yearly advent recollection on December 05, memorial of Bl. Bartholomew Fanti, at the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family, Guiguinto, Bulacan. The theme of the recollection was "St. Therese of Lisieux: Spiritual Principles for Parents based on the Story of a Soul". The recollection master was Rev. Fr. Domingo Salonga, the District's Spiritual Director. During the Holy Mass, nine (9) aspirants to the Third Order was admitted to the Formation Program of the Order. After the mass, a small Christmas party was celebrated with the nuns. Unfortunately, there was no presentation because of brown-out.

The District of Pampanga under the same province will have its recollection on December 13 with Rev. Fr. Ver Rhoniel Cristobal, TOCarm as its facilitator.

Rev. Fr. Domingo Salonga explaining the theme

The TOCs at the chapel and the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Maravillas of Jesus were exposed for veneration

At the chapel

Offertory

Admission of the Aspirants to the Formation

Imposition of the small brown scapular to the aspirants

Imposition of the brown scapular

Canonical Visit to Pilar and Bacoor

On October 17, the National Council visited the TOC communities of Pilar, Las Pinas and Bacoor, Cavite. It was held at the home of the prioress of the community of Pilar. At present, only the Pilar community is canonically established. The Bacoor community is working for its canonical recognition since there are no final professed member yet. On December 05, there will be a profession ceremony for the two communities to be held at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish at Pilar Village, Las Pinas.