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

Ritualium Carmelitanum - St. John Paul II Community

TOC Philippines welcomes the new batch of postulants, novices and professed members of the St. John Paul II Community of the UST Central Seminary last August 21. The celebration of the mass and the rites were officiated by Reverend Father Gilbert Billena, Provincial Delegate to the Venerable Third Order of Carmel.

New novices receiving their scapulars

Making a renewal of their profession: Brothers Kimrey Pintor and Kervin Roldan

"Carmel is the mountain of flowers and with full hands the children of Carmel have strewn these flowers over the earth." ~ Bl. Titus Brandsma

Congratulations!

The further a soul advances, the more it is accompanied by the good Jesus. - St. Teresa of Avila

Credits to Br. Jesus Wenceslao for the photos.

TOC Family Welcomes Final Professed Members

Seminarians from the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) of the Diocese of Malolos recently participated in the ceremonies for the final profession of members and acceptance to the novitiate last March 19, 2018, Solemnity of St. Joseph, at the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, Bulacan. The mass was officiated by Fr. Adriand Layug, T.O.C.

Congratulations to Brothers Kirth, France and Carlo on their perpetual profession, and to all brother seminarians who have been accepted to the novitiate and aspirancy. TOC Philippines welcomes all of you.

"The scapular is a means to an end. Our end is love. Carmel is love." -Fr. Adriand Layug, T.O.C. 

May we all reach the heights of Carmel!

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:38, Douay Rheims version)