On February 21-25, 2022, the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza in the Philippines celebrated the first part of its 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter.
On February 24, the Capitulars elected Friar Emmanuel GIVA Jr., as the 7th Provincial Custos. He succeeds Friar Francis Victor MATEO who served as Provincial Custos for two consecutive terms (2013-2017 and 2017-2022). Prior to his election, Friar Emmanuel had served as the Custodial Vicar, and the Guardian and Rector of the St. Maximilian Seminary.
Friar Emmanuel was born on May 17, 1978, in Matag-ob, Province of Leyte, the Philippines. He joined the Order on June 13, 2000. He entered the novitiate on May 25, 2002 and made his first profession on May 11, 2003. After his novitiate, he undertook and completed theological studies at the Don Bosco Center of Studies in Parañaque. He made his solemn profession on July 14, 2007, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 2009. After his ordination, he was sent to Rome for further studies where he earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology. In 2012, he returned to the Philippines and was assigned the office of Assistant Novice Director. During the 7th Ordinary Custodial Chapter in 2013, he was elected Custodial Secretary and, at the same time, Vice-Rector of the St. Maximilian Seminary. During the 8th Ordinary Custodial Chapter in 2017, he was elected Custodial Vicar and Guardian and Rector of the St. Maximilian Seminary.
On February 25, 2022, the Capitulars elected the members of the Custodial Definitory. They will be helping the Provincial Custos in the administration of the Custody for the next four years. The new Custodial Definitors are Friars Dominic LIM, (Custodial Vicar), Daniel SUGATAN (Custodial Secretary), and John Nathan MAAGMA, and Lorenzo AVELINO (Definitors). In addition, the Capitulars elected Friar Bernard ANUTA as the Custodial Econom and Friar John Vianney ACOSTA as the Custodial Exactor.
Others attending the first part of the 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter included Friar Benedetto BAEK, the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minors Conventual (FAMC) and Friar Gabriel PANGILINAN, the Delegate of the Minister General and a member of the Provincial Definitory of the Province of Naples representing the Minister Provincial. The first part of the Chapter ended on February 25, 2022, with the celebration of Mass presided over by the New Provincial Custos. Each Custodial Definitor made his profession of faith and swore his oath of office before the New Provincial Custos. The most Reverend Reynaldo G. EVANGELISTA, OFS D.D., Bishop of Imus, the Philippines, visited in the afternoon. He prayed over the Capitulars and wished the newly elected Custos and his Definitory fruitful service. The second part of the 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter is scheduled for April 25-29, 2022.
Friar Bernard ANUTA
