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.

Acceptance to the Postulancy - TOC Bacoor Community

Members of TOC Bacoor - St. Peter Thomas Community were recently accepted into the postulancy. Rites were conducted on March 12 at the Sto. Niño de Molino Parish Church in Pagasa, Bacoor City. The rite was officiated by Rev. Fr. Conrad Amon, Parish Priest. The event coincided with the 400-year anniversary of St. Teresa Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Bro. Ivan Malalang calling the names of the new postulants

Bro. John Rafael Dela Cruz receiving the Brown Scapular

New postulants (from left: Bro. Mark Angelo Sarreal, Bro. John Rafael Dela Cruz, Bro. Louie Colinares, Sis Shirley Sanglay, Bro. Hilbert Rubio, Bro. John Anthony Relox)

Newly-minted postulants

The postulants with members from TOC Bacoor - Queensrow Community

The postulants with their formator, Sis Jocel Gatchalian-Paulino

TOC Advent Recollection 2021

Members of the TOC from different communities in the country recently attended their respective annual Advent recollection with the following theme: Coping with Our Personal Crises (Prayer and Our Inner Healing). The recollections were conducted by Reverend Father Baltazar P. Ronato, OCarm. via Zoom.

Emphasizing the essence of the human body in the context of faith, Fr. Bal reminded attendees that man is the image of God. "The quality of the soul is the quality of the body", he explained.

First Batch -North Luzon A & B Regions and Eastern Mindanao Communities  November 20

Second Batch - Bulacan, Pampanga and Cabanatuan Communities

November 27

Third Batch - NCR North, Bicol and Bulacan Communities

December 4

 

Fourth Batch - NCR South

December 10

Credits to the different communities for sharing pictures of their recollection through the TOC Philippines 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.

National Training of Formators - 1

Formators from different TOC communities attended the first national training of formators at the Domus Carmelitana Flos Carmeli in Calamba, Laguna last 11-12 January. The training was conducted by Fr. Bal Nonato, OCarm.

The first of 3 trainings scheduled for the year, the theme focused on the fundamentals of human and Christian formation.