July 16 Celebration: Immaculate Conception TOC Community, Malolos, Bulacan

The image of Our lady and the relics of the Carmelite saints and blesseds including the relics of Capuchin and Passionist saints

Blessing of the Scapular

Scapular Imposition

Relics exposed for veneration
Carmelite - St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Bl. Angelo Paoli, St. Simon Stock, St. Edith Stein, St. Teresa delos Andes, St. Angelus, St. Andrew Corsini, St. Albert of Trapani, Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified, Bl. Mary of the Angels, St. Maria Maravillas of Jesus, etc.
Passionist - St. Maria Goretti, Bl. Grimoaldo Santamaria,
Capuchin Franciscan - St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen,
Rogationist - St. Hannibal Mary di Francia,
Other Congregations - Bl. Josaphata Hordashevska, Bl. Maria Assunta Pallota, Bl. Anne Marie Javouhey

Relic veneration

Relic Veneration

Relic Veneration

Exhibit near the Chancery Office

Opening of the 2010 Marian Exhibit and Relic Exposition / Veneration

In cooperation with the Camareras de Barasoain, the TOC Province m ade a public exposition of the relics of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds on July 11 and 16 at the Diocesan Museum located at the Barasoain Church, City of Malolos. This was done during the Marian exhibit where the processional image of the patron of the parish was exhibited. The image is 100 years old. The Marian exhibit lasted from July 11 - 16, 2010.

The 100 years old processional image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with the images of Carmelite saints and blesseds together with their relics

Opening of the Marian exhibit and Relic exposition

Blessing of the Marian images by the parish priest, Msgr. Angel Santiago

Relic Veneration

Relics of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds

Canonical Visit to Province of St. Therese (Bicol)

On April 09, the representatives of the National Council, Rev. Fr. Noel Rosas, O.Carm., Sis. Sally Castro, TOC, and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOC, visited the two communities of the newly erected Province of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. They arrived at the Legazpi City airport at around 7:30 am and were picked up at the airport by the Malilipot community, headed by Sis. Anida Bilono and Sis. Sonia Rosario. After greeting each other, the group proceeded to Guinobatan where the visit will take place.

Upon arrival at the parish hall, the National Council was greeted by the members of the community. A sumptuous breakfast was held and the Guinobatan community headed by Sis. Terry Naag offered a small dance as the visitors took their breakfast. After which, the communties presented a progress report to the National Council. Sis. Terry Naag, TOC (Prioress) and Sis. Zen Aquino, TOC (Director of Formation) presented the report for the Guinobatan community while Sis. Anida Bilono, TOC (Prioress) and Sis. Sonia Rosario, TOC (Director of Formation) presented the report for Malilipot community.

The two communities reported that there were two possible foundations (Sto. Domingo and Tabaco City) to be made and initial contacts are at hand.

The majestic Mayon Volcano as seen at the Legazpi airport

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Guinobatan, Albay


Main Altar

Side Altar

Side Altar

Sis. Terry Naag, TOC (Guinobatan) presenting her report

Sis. Zen Aquino, TOC (Guinobatan) presenting the report on formation

Sis. Anida Bilono, TOC (Malilipot) presenting the status of the community

Sis. Sonia Rosario, TOC (Malilipot) reports about the status of formation in her community

The relics of St. Therese of Lisieux

Rev. Fr. Noel Rosas, O.Carm., provincial delegate, for the closing remarks

Elective Chapter of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Hagonoy

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of St. Therese of the Child Jesus situated at the Parish of St. Helena, Sta. Elena, Hagonoy, Bulacan was held in the afternoon of March 27, 2010.

The following were elected:Prioress: Sis. Natalia Lopez, TOCarm.
1st Councilor/Director of Formation: Bro. Mervin Castro, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor/Secretary: Sis. Ofelia Magat, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor/Treasurer: Sis. Priscila Jose, TOCarm.

The election was supervised by Bro. Apolinario Gregorio, TOCarm (Regional Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council)

Sta. Elena Parish Church

Prayers during the rites of the elective chapter

First reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah read by Bro. Efren Lopez, TOC during the rites

Relic veneration after the elections

Relic veneration after the elections

The community of the TOC at the parish

The new set of local council of the St. Therese of the Child Jesus TOC Community (2010 - 2013)

Relics exposed during the elections and venerated after the chapter elections
St. Camilla Battista Varano (Poor Clares): from the bones, left reliquary
St. Therese of the Child Jesus (OCD): veil imbued with flesh, center reliquary
St. Clare of Assisi (foundress of Poor Clares): from the tunic, right reliquary
- reliquary frame -
St. Teresa Margaret Redi, Martyrs of Guadalajara, St. Raphael Kalinowski, Bl. Titus Brandsma, Bl. Frances d'Amboise, Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Bl. Maria Candida of the Eucharist, Bl. Mary of the Angels, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified, Bl. Maria Crocifissa Curcio, St. Teresa de los Andes, St. George Preca, Bl. Maria Sagrario, St. John of the Cross,
Bl. Kuriakos Elias Chavara, St. Simon Stock, St. Henry de Osso y Cervello, St. Teresa of Jesus,
Bl. Maria Giuseppina of Jesus Crucified, Bl. Isidore Bakanja, St. Pedro Poveda, and Bl. Joanne of Toulose

Lenten Recollection: Pampanga District (St. Joseph's Province)

The Bl. Maria Sagrario of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Lay Carmelite Community of San Luis, Pampanga held their lenten recollection on March 27, 2010 focusing on the spirituality of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Rev. Fr. Emil Guiao from the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary of the Archdiocese of San Fernando facilitated the recollection. Fr. Emil discussed the life of St. Therese and the spirituality encapsulated in her autobiography "The Story of A Soul". He also stressed that it is a must read for all Carmelites.

The recollection ended with a Holy Mass.

Fr. Emil discussing the spirituality of St. Therese.

The TOC members of Pampanga district

First reading readed by Sis. Elvie Diaz (Prioress)

Responsorial psalm read by Bro. Terry Garcia (Formator)

Distribution of Holy Communion

Lenten Recollection - Bulacan District (St. Joseph's Province)

The Lay Carmelites of the Province of St. Joseph (Bulacan District) made their lenten recollection last March 6, 2010. This was held at the Parish of the Holy Spirit, Malolos Heights Subdivision, City of Malolos. This is also a discernment recollection for the TOC members who will be received and professed in the Order this coming May.

Rev. Fr. Vergs Ramos, parish priest (shown above), welcomed the TOCs and is very thankful that the recollection was held at the parish. TOCs from Guiguinto, Malolos, Alido, Hagonoy, Calumpit, Baliuag, and Sta. Maria attended the said gathering.

Rev. Fr. Ver Rhoniel Cristobal, TOCarm facilitated the recollection focusing on the topic of discernment. He shrared also his life experience on how he discerned on his calling to the monastic life particularly with the Trappist of Guimaras. He also discussed the three areas of discernment: "paniniwala" (faith), "pagtitiwala" (trust), and "pagtalima" (answering the call).

The recollection ended with the Holy Mass and aspirants to the Order from the Calumpit community were accepted. After the mass, veneration of the relics of the Carmelite saints was held. The relics were exposed the whole duration of the recollection.

Penitential Rite


Fr. Rhon discussing the topic at hand

Homily during the mass

Acceptance of the aspirants

Imposition of the Brown Scapular

Relic Veneration

Relics of the Carmelite Saints and Blesseds

Relic Veneration

Electoral Chapter of the Holy Family TOC Community, Guiguinto

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of Holy Family situated at the Monastery of the Holy Family, Guiguinto, Bulacan was held in the afternoon of March 13, 2010.

The following were elected:Prioress: Sis. Laura Castro, TOCarm.
1st Councilor/Director of Formation: Sis. Elsa Manalili, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor/Secretary: Sis. Evangeline Alcaraz, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor/Treasurer: Sis. Ligaya Mendoza, TOCarm.

The election was supervised by Bro. Apolinario Gregorio, TOCarm (Regional Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council)

Carmelite Formation Center

At the grounds of the Formation Center

Praying the Litany of Carmelite Saints while the relics of the Carmelite saints are exposed

The new local council with the outgoing prioress