The Itinerants Path

Madayaw Davao, Welcome to Mindanao!

That’s the greetings of warm welcome given to us by the host of the 9th Triennial Convention of the National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines (NFRBP) at Mergrande Ocean Resort and Convention Center in Talomo, Davao City. The host of this year’s convention, the Association of Mindanao-Sulu Religious Brothers (AMSRB) officers and the Secretariat headed by Br. Erwin Sayson of the Sacred Heart Brothers gave the participants a welcoming presence to all the Brothers of different religious congregations from different parts of the country; as far as from Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao.

This year’s theme is, “One Heart, One Nation, One Mission: A Spirituality of Communion.” While last 8th Triennial Convention’s was, “Kuya ng Bayan, Kuya ng Simbahan.” It was held on October 2005 at Capuchin Retreat House of the Friars Minor in Lipa, Batangas which was attended by 150 Brothers from all over the Philippines.

The Welcome ceremonies started with the opening ritual by Kalumon Cultural Group as they sung the “Pasasalamat Song.” Sa opening ritual pa lang, inspired and full of life na ang mga brothers. The NFRBP National Chairperson, Br. Amado Ancla, CFA gave his welcome address while Br. Jose Godofredo G. Sapigan, SC, the Convention Director gave an orientation about the activities to happen and the place. He introduced to us the different convention areas of Mergrande Ocean Resort and he assured the Brothes of tightened security by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Talomo Precinct, ordered by the Davao City Mayor Duterte.

Spirituality of Communion

One of the important parts of the gathering was the Keynote Speech of Br. Karel San Juan, SJ. He started his talk with the topic assigned to him saying that both spirituality and communion are familiar and unfamiliar.  He further explained the familair to the Brothers that spirituality is something we live and breathe everyday, and this defines the identity of the Brothers as Christian apostles on mission. Same with spirituality, communion is also something we live and breathe everyday, which defines the way of life characterized by community, brotherhood, fraternity. He continued explaining the shared life in community life and its challenges and struggles. He also presented the practical challenges and guidelines toward a spirituality of communion; our communities as places for healing and conversion, the necessity of conversion and dialogue and the centrality of prayer.

Brother Karel, is a Jesuit scholastic, preparing for his priesthood.

Community Life, in a Vocation Story

After the talk of Br. Karel, Bishop George Rimando, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Davao celebrated the Eucharist with the Brothers and was followed by a dinner and sharing of vocations by group; sharing what is the role of community life in our vocation stories.

Reflect, reflect and reflect…

The next day, we started the day right with a creative morning prayer led by Br. Luc Boudreault, SC. The next big thing happened during the day was the group reflection facilitated by Br. Karl Gaspar, CSsR. He is a Redemptorist Brother teaching at St. Alphonsus Theologate and at the same time, BOT of Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue, solidarity with the Lumads and Interphasing Development Interventions focusing on ecological advocacy. In the group sharing, we were asked to answer the guide questions in response to the presentation of Br. Karel, SJ. He was asking us of what struck us most and give practical suggestions to concretize the theme of this year’s theme. Indeed, the syntheses of the group were fruitful and worthy to ponder. Whew! Mahirap din pala maging secretary ng grupo lalo na kung magagaling sa sharing, full of wisdom ang mga kasama mo, hahaha!

Looking Forward For the 25th Year

Looking forward for next year’s Mindanao regional gathering! That would be in Zamboanga! We were fortunate, Mindanao Brothers to have Br. Raymund, SJ; the present Ateneo de Zamboanga Treasurer. The 25th year of National Federation of Religious Brothers in the Philippines (NFRBP) will be in 2010 in Cebu! Wonder why 25th anniversary in 2010 while we are on the 9th trienneal gathering? Something happened which I wasn’t able to understand why, hehehe… Thanks to Visayas region Brothers. Business Meetings by region; part of our convention. And during the meeting, new set of officers were elected. Let me copy and paste the result para madali…

Night of Cultural Awareness

The final night was started with the celebration of the Eucharist by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, DD; the  Archbishop of the Diocese of Davao. He welcomed us again as he expressed his support to the Brothers. During the dinner sponsored by the owner of Mergrande Ocean Resort, the Evangelista family. Other than that, we were entertained with MIndanaoan Cultural presentations by the famous Kalumon led by Mario Lim, the director choreographer of the group. Kalumon group helped a lot of young people. Mario helped them to discover their talents and be creative. Most of them play different instruments, dance, sing and they are good actors and actresses! Napakaganda ng kanilang mga presentations. Another good thing with their group is their presentations. They act and play about the real situations of Mindanaoans, especially the oppressed people.

Meeting the Blogger Brothers

Before I end this entry, I would like to thank my fellow blogger brothers from different congregations. I appreciate your patience reading my blog, Br. Miguel del Corro, FSF; Brothers of the Holy Family. He is blogging at De Peregrinos. He stopped blogging for a while for certain reasons but it’s quite worthy reading about his pilgrimage… Thanks also to Br. Jeff Pioquinto, SJ. He is Multiplying at JeffSJ. He surprised me during the meal, I was wondering who was this person na lumapit sa akin, hahaha! I thought he was not able to attend to the convention. Nandun din pala sya.

So much for the stories… Until next time, Brothers… posing muna tayo

That’s me and Br. Jeff, SJ

On this day..

• Si Lolo Bonton - 2006