PST revives vocation promotion booth

Incoming postulants attend online recollection with PST

THE DOMINICAN PROVINCE OF THE PHILIPPINES is blessed to have 16 new postulants for the formation year 2022-2023 who were admitted to the Dominican Postulancy in the Convent of St. Albert the Great in Calamba City, Laguna, last November 28 2022.

Prior to their entrance to the Dominican formation, an online recollection was conducted to help them to be spiritually prepared as they embark to another chapter in their life. The recollection, which was held via Zoom, happened last October 29, 2022. Rev. Fr. Carlo Rey C. Canto, OP, the Provincial Promoter of Vocations, spearheaded the activity in collaboration with Pagtugon Sa Tawag (PST).

THE DOMINICAN YOUTH NETWORK (DYN) of the Dominican School Manila (DSM) invited PST to collaborate in holding METANOIA: A Vocation Discernment Seminar with the theme, “Heeding to the Call of the Church for Synod and Camaraderie” last October 22, 2022 via Zoom. The said event was attended by 147 DSM students, both boys and girls, from Grades 10, 11, and 12. The said seminar promoted the Dominican way of life and showed to the participants that there are many paths to holiness. The seminar did not only promote vocation to the priesthood but also to other Dominican vocations. Hence, there were Mr. Joshua Brent Valencia, a DYN representative who served as host and moderator, and Sr. Rosa Casibang, OP from Congregacion de Relegiosas Missionerass de Santo Domingo who discussed about the steps towards becoming an active sister. Br. John Rheed M. Caturza, OP introduced the Dominican priestly vocation and shared his vocation story. Meanwhile, Br. Nico Paolo P. Moron, OP, and Br. Diego Adrianto Halim, OP shared their stories about their journey in the formation, with the latter focusing on the perspective of a professional. Together they showed to the participants that responding to one’s vocation is not an easy journey, yet is worth fighting for. Their stories gave the participants a glimpse of what they will face and what to expect when they finally choose to pursue the Dominican way of life. Hopefully, the life lessons and experiences shared by the brothers will become a source of motivation and inspiration for the participants to live the Dominican way of life in whatever vocation they may take. BR. DIEGO ARIANTO HALIM, OP

VocProm Group goes to St. James Academy, Malabon

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2022, Brs. Johnny Luntungan, OP, Lukas Sabdaningrat, OP, and Melencio P. Garcia, OP went to St James Academy, Malabon City for the school’s vocation festival.

The event started with the praying of the rosary. Then, Rev. Fr. Philip Angelo Garcia from the Diocese of Caloocan delivered a talk about the vocations in the Church. After the talk, the students were divided into boys and girls. The Dominican brothers together with representatives from the diocese and other male congregations, gave a brief overview about their Order or congregation to the male students. Br. Sabdaningrat introduced the Order of Preachers.

After the introductions, the students were given a chance to visit the vocation promotion booths where they could ask questions to the brothers or sisters. The brothers were surprised by the level of the students’ curiosity about the formation in becoming a religious. Hopefully, being present in this vocation festival will help nurture the seeds of vocation in the hearts of students. BR. JOHNNY

LUNTUNGAN, OP

THE PAGTUGON SA TAWAG apostolic group revived promoting Dominican vocations through the PST booth at the corridor of Sto. Domingo Church. The PST booth mainly aims to provide information and assistance to those who are interested in joining the Order of Preachers. The booth is open from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m with two PST members manning it. The booth also provides promotional materials such as stampitas, posters and brochures. The said materials are given not only to the prospective candidates but also to all visitors of the booth.

The responses of the Mass-goers toward the booth varied. Some were very appreciative but many seemed indifferent. Some Mass-goers were even reluctant to visit, thinking that the PST was asking for donations. Therefore, at first, there were doubts from the body to continue this project on the next schedule because the response was not as good as expected. Most of the visitors are not even counted as eligible because of their age (the visitors were mostly kids and lolos and lolas). However, after looking back to the main objective, the group realized that the PST booth is indeed important and relevant in making the Mass-goers become aware and be appreciative of the presence of religious life, specifically the Dominican vocation. Hopefully, the presence of this simple booth will produce a ripple effect, not only in attracting the prospective candidates for Dominican vocation but also in helping people appreciate and faithfully love whatever calling they have received from God.

BR. LUKAS SABDANINGRAT, OP

PST assists in new postulants’ online orientation

Despite the intermittent connection due to “Typhoon Paeng,” eight Filipino brothers from the different provinces were virtually present during the recollection. Fr. Canto led the opening prayer and also delivered the opening remarks. Br. John Rheed M. Caturza, OP, PST Coordinator, served as the emcee and facilitated a simple animation to energize the brothers at the beginning of the recollection. Br. Nico Paolo P. Moron, OP and Br. Robertus Silveriano Raditya Dearbantolo, OP, were the recollection speakers who shared their reflections about their experiences in formation.

Finally, the recollection ended with the word of thanks of Fr. Canto to the PST members who helped organize and make the event successful and fruitful, followed by a closing prayer and final blessing. The organizers then extended their prayers and best wishes to the incoming postulants in order that they may persevere and be faithful in their calling towards becoming future Dominicans. BR. NICO

THE DOMINICAN PROVINCE of the Philippines conducted an online orientation for the incoming postulants of Formation Year 2022-2023. The brothers in Pagtugon Sa Tawag (PST) assisted during the event in collaboration with Fr. Carlo Rey C. Canto, OP, the Provincial Promoter of Vocations, and Fr. Hilario V. Sicat, Jr., OP, the Director of Postulants. The orientation was attended by Fr. Filemon I. de la Cruz Jr., OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, Fr. Romulo V. Rodriguez, OP, Moderator of Studies, and the new eight Filipino postulants. Br. Melencio P. Garcia, OP, the Promoter of Vocations for Cooperator Brothers, and Fr. Winston Ferdinand F. Cabading, OP, the Assistant to the Director of Postulants for Senior Candidates were also present during the program. The purpose of the orientation is to prepare the incoming postulants before they enter the

Dominican formation by the end of November 2022 and also to provide basic information to their parents about what their sons will undertake in formation. In his opening remarks, Fr. de la Cruz emphasized that those who fall in love and commit themselves to something will no longer count the days, weeks and even years. He said so because one of the topics in the online orientation was the stages of formation.

Br. Diego Ardianto Halim, OP talked about the Order of Preachers and the Dominican Family. Meanwhile, Fr. Sicat gave an orientation about the schedule and activities in the Dominican Postulancy whereas Fr. Rodriguez gave the orientation about study life. The program was indeed successful and we look forward to meeting the new postulants face-to-face.

BR. ROBERTUS SILVERIANO RADITYA DEARBANTOLO, OP

Alab ng La Naval 2022: Lighting Candles of Steadfast Faith

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2022, KAPATID launched Alab ng La Naval as part of the La Naval Festivities 2022. The Alab ng La Naval is a novena-candle request. It is an online devotional program of the Dominican Studentate spearheaded by KAPATID and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary—La Naval de Manila. It aims to foster a more intimate devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary—La Naval de Manila and cater to the devotees who may be hampered by geographical, safety, and health constraints in attending the novenas in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary—La Naval de Manila in person.

Alab ng La Naval was held at the candle area of the Santo Domingo Church at 8:00 pm every day from September 30 to October 8, 2022. The devotees were encouraged to participate in the novena prayers online as the brothers light the candles on their behalf via La Naval de Manila official Facebook page.

In its third year, more than hundreds of people registered and joined the live streaming. Due to health protocols, the “Alab ng La Naval” temporarily replaced the traditional “Besamanto” which was put on hold because of the pandemic.

It is a blessing that even amidst the pandemic, the devotees are not discouraged but remained steadfast in faith. KAPATID wishes to thank the devotees who participated in this activity. BR. HENGKY PADAUNAN,