On October 3-4, 2021, the postulants, novices and post-novices of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Blessed Bonaventure of Potenza, together with their respective formators, participated in a two-day common formation meeting. The event took place at the St. Maximilian M. Kolbe Seminary in Parañaque City, the Philippines.

On October 3, the last day of the Novena to St. Francis, Mass was presided over by Father Carlo DEL ROSARIO of the Archdiocese of Manila. Father Carlo is a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic. In his profound homily, he emphasized everyone’s vocation as creatures of God, consecrated and called to love. In the afternoon, Friar Linus (Aquilino) BACAYAN called online via the Zoom platform, to share his experience at the Franciscan Missionary Course in Brussels, Belgium.
The Provincial Custos, Friar Francis Victor MATEO, presided over Evening Prayer I and the short rite of the Transitus. The day ended with a video call to confreres of the Philippines residing in other Jurisdictions of the Order, namely Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel and Italy.
On October 4, the friars conducted a vigil before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for vocations in the Order. The culminating moment of the day was Mass, presided over by Friar Christopher Jeffrey L. AYTONA, O.P. In his homily, Friar Christopher pointed out the unique lifestyle of St. Francis as a preacher of the truth. Friar Christopher also made extensive reference to Laudato Si, the encyclical on the care of our common home
The common formation event ended with the blessing of some pets.
Videos of the celebration can be found at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/StMaximilianSeminaryPH.

Custodial Office of Communications
Photo: Anton Maria Francesco CARABEO