TOC Attend Thanksgiving Mass for St. Titus Brandsma

Members of the TOC from various communities attended the thanksgiving mass for the canonization of St. Titus Brandsma, titular patron of Carmelites in the Philippine province, held at The Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Cubao Cathedral) last May 28.

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula led the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown, Prior Provincial Rev. Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm, and Cubao Cathedral Rector and Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Dennis Soriano among the co-celebrants.

Archbishop Charles John Brown delivering his homily

Also attending the event were representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and different members of the Carmelite family. A short procession and simple gathering followed.

St. Titus Brandsma was recently canonized in Rome by Pope Francis last May 15, 2022, along with 9 other holy men and women.

TOC Pilar

With Fr. Bal Ronato and Bro. Alvin Lozano

TOC Bacoor

With Fr. Rico Ponce, Prior Provincial

With National Prior, Bro. Alejandro "Bot" Bautista

With Fr. Gabriel Dolotina, Academics and Research & Publications Director
of the Institute of Spirituality in Asia

Additional Sources:

CBCP News. Titus Brandsma canonization a source of 'consolation' amid 'fake news' crisis - PH Carmelites.

Dominus Est. World Communications Sunday 2022. 

Vatican News. Titus Brandsma: Journalist, martyr, saint of the 20th Century.

Licas News Philippines. Manila prelate urges faithful to fight for truth, follow example of Titus Brandsma.

(Source: Fr. Jesus Salonga Wenceslao's Facebook page)

The Third Order of Carmelites wishes to congratulate Rev. Fr. Jesus Salonga Wenceslao, TOC, on his upcoming ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion on December 8, 2021. He is one of the three scheduled for ordination.

Fr. Wenceslao belongs to the St. John Paul II TOC Community in UST Central Seminary. 

(Source: Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Tertii Ordinis Carmelitarum Facebook page)

Acceptance and Vestition to the Novitiate

(From left: Bro. Ruel Santos, Rev. Fr. Jerry Oblepias, Bro. Aeron Ruazol and Sis Nene Alimagro)

The TOC recently celebrated the acceptance and vestition to the Novitiate of Bro. Aeron A. Ruazol on the Feast Day of All Carmelite Saints (14 November) at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Turumba in Pakil, Laguna.

The mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Jerry R. Oblepias, SThL, parish priest of the shrine. 

Photo credits to Sister Nene Alimagro, TOC and the Facebook page of the Dambana ng Mahal na Birhen ng Turumba.

Lay Carmelites celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Amidst the Pandemic

Despite the continuing pandemic world-wide, lay Carmelites in the country celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in their communities. 

On the second year of the pandemic, TOC members made their way to their respective parishes to attend the Holy Eucharist and distribute the Brown Scapulars to parishioners present*.

Bacoor 

TOC members at the Sto. Nino de Molino Parish

Investiture of the Brown Scapular in Queensrow

Camiling 

Dumaguete 

At the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Parish

Pasig

Pilar/Sta. Rosa 

At the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish

Chair of St. Peter Parish, Balibago, Laguna

With Fr. Jerry Gaela, Parish Priest

We wish to thank the communities who contributed photos of their celebration. For those still wishing to submit, you may contact us through the Third Order of Carmelites - Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma's Facebook page.

* Note: Social distancing and wearing of face masks and face shields were observed all throughout, in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Guidelines and the appropriate local government unit instructions.

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

TOC Communities Celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (PART II)

Photographs of communities who celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel last July 16:

Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Pasig)

At the Shrine of St. Therese (Pasay City)

Our Lady of the Abandoned Community (Sta. Ana, Manila)

We thank the communities who shared with us pictures of their celebration. May our Good Lord and Blessed Mother bless us all!

TOC Communities Celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Members of the Third Order of Carmelites and the Carmelite Confraternities all over the country celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in their own little way last July 16. Here is a look at some of the communities:

Flos Carmeli Community (Bacoor)

Imposition of the Brown Scapular to the parishioners after the mass.

Another imposition was held at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Queensrow.

Stella Maria Chapter of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Batanes)

St. John the Baptist Community (Malolos, Bulacan)

St. Magdalen de Pazzi Community (Malolos, Bulacan)

Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Malolos, Bulacan)

St. Catherine of Alexandria Community (Dumaguete)

Our Lady of the Pillar Community (Las Pinas)

St. Teresa Margaret Redi Community (Makati)

Mater Divinae Gratiae Community (San Marcelino, Manila)

At St. Vincent de Paul Parish in San Marcelino, Manila

Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel (Tondo, Manila)

Top left: evening procession after the mass; Top center: members and family with Rev. Fr. Jorge Peligro, OAR;
Bottom left: members beside the statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; Bottom center: members with Fr. Jorge

Mater Decor Carmeli Community (Pasig)

Imposition of the Brown Scapular to parishioners of the Holy Family Parish.

Mater Carmeli and St. Angelus of Sicily Communities (Tarlac)

Members of the Mater Carmeli and St. Angelus of Sicily Communities with Bishop Enrique Macaraeg and Fr. Charles Corpuz of Tarlac

We thank the communities who shared their photographs with us. May Our Good Lord and Our  Blessed Mother bless us all!