The Itinerants Path

In my previous post, I was already talking about saying farewell to my community. But now, it’s really time to say goodbye, so long to the Brothers of MAPAC. Last year, it was us who bid farewell to our senior brothers, but this time, they are saying goodbye to us who are leaving MAPAC.

We just had our missioning rite this evening where the new graduates of MAPAC are sent for another mission, going back to their respective countries of origin (I’m one of them, actually ) It’s a challenge for us to be committed as we walk on our journey onward our missions as young Marist Brothers, that we really have to have an open heart to receive people, have hands to extend hospitality and generosity and to have a spirit to reach out each other and to all whom we will encounter on our experiences. This is what we have prayed for in our missioning prayer.

As we have journeyed for two years and a half as brothers, we can’t just forget the times when we shared life, difficulties and happiness as one community.?? During our graduation we chose the theme together, “One Heart, One Hope, Many Languages.” We were quite ambitious in formulating that theme yet we were able to articulate it through our differences of culture yet oneness as Marists. This is maybe a reason for the brothers who organized the prayer service tonight to have “Amigos Para Siempre” as our ending hymn. It means, “Friends for Life.” We are friends and more than that, brothers to one another.?? Few lines say, “Friends for life is not just a summer or a spring… Just knowing you are in this world can warm my heart… We share memories I won’t forget… I’m alive when we are together…”

We really appreciate the fraternal presence of one another, amigos para siempre. Thank you Br. Luke for being our fraternity moderator, Br. Noah for being our Bursar, Brothers Arun Frank, Clement, Mitch, Norman, Anselmo and Br. Ralph, our animator. We had a great relationship as brothers who journeyed with one another in many ways. “There has to come a time when we must say goodbye… yet remember as a brother, amigos para siempre means you’ll always be my friend. Let’s journey in faith together.

After the missioning, a a farewell party for us was held. It was a heart warming moment for me to receive messages of gratitude, encouragement and affirmations from our Brothers. And yes, also a moment that I received my “The land Acquisition Award” certificate from the staff Brothers. What was it all about?

Here’s the story of “The Land Acquisition Award.” Since June 2005, I had an identified seat in the main refectory. In that dining hall, we were encouraged to transfer seats from time to time so that we can mingle with other brothers in the community. And yet, I was not comfortable transferring seats, reason I had that identified seat. When somebody takes that chair, I feel different inside. But then it became a laughing stuff which I don’t really take it seriously, I laugh about it, too Funny as it is, the certificate is being sponsored by “Squatters Anonymous” That’s how I got the award, LoL! Should I also include that chair in packing my things to bring to Mindanao tomorrow?

??Next update! When I arrive to my new assignment: Notre Dame of Marbel University.

On this day..

• Well and Good - 2007
• Blogging from Ateneo... it's yesterday's. - 2006