Rites of Profession and Acceptance to the Novitiate

The rites of solemn profession and the novitiate rites were performed last August 21 at the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Las Pinas City. The concelebrated mass was led by Fr. Gilbert Billena, O. Carm. The event was attended by members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Makati) and Our Lady of the Pillar (Pilar) communities.

Sis Leila de Dios-Cruz took her final profession, while Sis Rhea Medina was admitted to the novitiate.

The procession begins.

Sis Leila de Dios-Cruz (Pilar)

Sis Rhea Medina (Makati) kneels before Fr. Gilbert

Sacred Heart of Jesus TOC Community (Makati)

Our Lady of the Pillar TOC Community (Las Pinas)

Family members of Sis Leila

Sis Rhea, flanked by her guest, Fr. Val and Fr. Gilbert

"The geographic Mount Carmel that we take our Carmelite name from is a mountain range along the Mediterranean in Israel. It is a green oasis surrounded by desert; hence, its name “Carmel,” which means “the Garden of God” in Hebrew. The metaphorical Carmel is a way of life, our disposition as we make our spiritual path up Mount Carmel". - St. John of the Cross