Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

Last December 12-14, 2022, the religious community of the Rogationist Seminary-Cebu had its year-end retreat at the McArthur’s place, Britaina, Surigao del Sur. The retreat was facilitated by Fr. Raymond Ambray, who is a Rogationist by heart and is currently a clergy of the Diocese of Tandag. The RSC community took the chance to have the retreat, after the thanksgiving mass of Rev. Fr. Philip Alensolurin at Tandag City.

Faccio questo apostolato con la mia comunità nel Rogazionista di Greencourt Paranaque dalla pandemia. Ho visto persone che sono andate e vengono... alcuni stanno letteralmente morendo sul marciapiede e altri sono andati per una vita migliore dopo aver trovato lavoro dopo averli persi.

Possiamo solo dargli un pasto decente (caldo e delizioso) anche solo per una notte in una settimana e prenderci del tempo per parlare con loro ascoltando i loro guai.

The ambience of joy and the longing for the Litle Child is growing stronger and so much visible every where.

To make this solemn day extraordinary, our Rogationist postulants are doing some preparations in SHRC-Calcutta community. Spiritual preparation such us prayers, novena and simbang gabi are observed faithfully every day.

Aside from the spiritual preparation they also did the external preparation such set up the belen in the chapel, house decorations, music practice, and christmas carols.

(Dec. 17, 2022) The Formation Institute of St. Hannibal (FISH) organized an Advent recollection in the convent of the Passionist Sisters (contemplative community) for all the Aspirants and Postulants from all the Religious Congregations who are present and serving in the Diocese of Maumere. Fr. Petrus Marianus RCJ, Director of the Institute, was the recollection Master attended by around 200 formands and their respective formators.

Ritiro d'Avvento

(Dec. 15) Confreres of the Rogationist Mission Station of Indonesia, headed by its Superior, Fr. Herbert Cabral Magbuo, paid a visit to the Mons. Ewaldus Martinus Sedu, Bishop of Maumere, to present our Congregation and its members as well as all our formation and apostolate activities in this diocese. The Bishop welcomed the Rogationists in his simplicity and spent the morning with fraternal sharing and plans for the future of our Mission Station and for our fruitful apostolate in Maumere.

In the Rogationist formation houses of St. Matthew Province, singing Christmas carols in homes has now become a tradition. Originally intended to gather funds for the apostolate of the community, this activity has been transformed into a means of evangelization, that is, a fitting occasion to announce the good news of the incarnation of the Son of God. Groups of seminarians and religious students sing in houses with selection songs that tell the story of the history of salvation. During the pandemic, the carols were held online.

(Dec. 18) In Rogationist Communities, Christmas is linked to “Sharing”, referring to the sharing of graces, joys, and gifts to those who have less.

In the Seminary in Manila, now in its 36th-year edition, the children who attend the Sunday catechesis conclude the year with the closing Mass, Christmas party, and the receiving of gifts for the family Christmas meal.  Funds for this project comes from the donation collected in the singing of Christmas carols in houses of benefactors and donors.

(Dec. 16) Students, teachers, and the whole educational community of the Rogationist College in Cavite gathered at 4.30 AM, for the first day of traditional Christmas Novena Masses. Called "Misa de Gallo" because it is celebrated at the break of the cock's crow in early dawn, it is also referred to as "Misa de Aguinaldo" which is a thanksgiving for the graces received from God. This time-honored devotional practice of the Filipino people resonates with the Christmas Novena handed down by St. Hannibal Mary to his spiritual Children.

(Dec. 12) Remembering the 30th anniversary of the Maumere-Flores Earthquake and Tsunami, different agencies of the Government, Church, Security, Foundations, and the Community joined hands in the project of reforestation. The Rogate Beach (Seminary Rogationis Wailiti) is one of the planting locations selected for mangroves, hibiscus, and coconut. The tree-planting activity was preceded by a welcome ceremony and traditional greetings, the opening remarks from the Regent, and the blessing of the seedlings by the Bishop, followed by tree planting by all the participants present.

(Dec. 10-15) Fr. Jose Maria Ezpeleta and Fr. Brizio Greco proceeded to South Korea after their stay at St. Thomas Quasi Province in India to participate in the General Assembly of the Circumscription and other training programs for the confreres. They spent two days in the Mission Station of Seoul. Then, they went to Gwangju to visit the confreres in the Missionary Station there. It was an occasion to verify the present status of the Missionary Station in Gwangju, which opened just a few months before the pandemic, as well as to verify together the perspectives of our apostolate.