Sharing the Fruits of Contemplation: Catechesis to the Children of Tatalon

THE POST-PANDEMIC situation gave the faithful a chance to go back and participate in church activities. After more than two years, in which COVID-19 has left people feeling frightened and alone, the faithful can somehow already find solace through the many opportunities to return to the church.

The members of the different Legion of Mary praesidia, which have KAPATID members as their spiritual directors, also felt the same consolation. After two years of online meetings, they can once again conduct their face-to-face meetings in the KAPATID office at the Dominican Studentate. The first face-to-face meeting of each of the three praesidia occurred on November 6, 2022 (Mary, Seat of Wisdom Praesidium) and November 13, 2022 (Mirror of Justice and La Naval Praesidia) and went smoothly. Both the legionaries and the spiritual directors felt God’s blessings that united them all in the sessions.

In the midst of joy and gratitude, there was however a sad realization that the legionaries were decreasing in number. They were scattered due to COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the resumption of the face-to-face meetings is a testament that God loves us, works for us, and unites us at all times. We partake in His work and share His love by taking this opportunity to have meetings. With the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hopefully, we can recover faster and better. BR.

DIONISIUS CHRIST WIDIAWAN, OP

KAPATID strengthens digital presence on social media platforms

WITH THE GOAL of improving the social media presence and engagement of the apostolic group in various social media platforms, the KAPATID launched its own Facebook page and Instagram account on August 7, 2022, the eve of the Solemnity of Saint Dominic de Guzman. Before the launch, only KAPATID has no social media account among the different apostolic groups in the Dominican Studentate. Few of the apostolic group’s activities in the past were also posted in the La Naval de Manila Official Facebook page. Hence, to increase the visibility of KAPATID, the new social media accounts were created.

The new social media page already featured the activities of the apostolic group starting August of this formation year. These include Triduum videos and infographics of memorials, feasts, and solemnities connected to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The activities during the La Naval festivities were also cross-posted.

Four months after they were launched, the combined accounts have a total of around 700 followers. May these new platforms be new venues for the student-brothers to inspire a more fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. BR. JONAS

P. MEDIAVILLA, OP

ON NOVEMBER 26, 2022, the members of KAPATID, in coordination with Buklodasal Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) of Santo Domingo Parish, conducted the first session of their monthly catechesis to the children of Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City. The catechesis aims to spread knowledge about Mother Mary and the Rosary to the children so that they might love her even more as our mediatrix to Jesus, our Lord.

Around 40 children gathered at the covered court of Villa España Phase II at 10 o’clock in the morning. Excitement can be seen in the eyes of the children, not to mention that they were at the venue 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled activity.

The catechesis started by praying the rosary together in Filipino. Although some of the children were not familiar with the basic prayers, they all followed the prayer attentively. It was also a fun-filled day for all the participants as they danced together with the student-brothers.

Br. Jonas P. Mediavilla, OP, the KAPATID Coordinator, then shared his knowledge about Mother

Mary and the Rosary. He also posed questions to the children, to which they, in turn, responded with burning zeal and great enthusiasm. Their spirits did not however remain unappreciated. Those who were able to answer the questions got some rewards to enjoy. The activity ended with simple snacks prepared by the student-brothers.

This activity will be conducted monthly from November 2022 to June 2023. The KAPATID members are grateful for this opportunity to share and receive joy and blessings with them.

See you again, kids, in the coming months! BR. ALFIYANDO

SYAHNAFI, OP

A Journey of Faith: The Pilgrimage to the Coronadas of the Diocese of Antipolo

LAST SEPTEMBER 17, 2022, the members of “Si Kristo Ang PAtutunguhan sa Tulong ng Ina ng Diyos” (KAPATID) of the Dominican Studentate went on a pilgrimage to two Marian Shrines in the Diocese of Antipolo, namely: National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina. The pilgrimage aimed to foster the members’ devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage administered by Rev. Fr. Reynante U. Tolentino, the members first attended the Holy Eucharist and then toured around the church. They were able to see the replica image of Our Lady of Antipolo situated inside her camarin (a place where the image is dressed in her new vestment) and some of her old vestments. They also went to the crypt of the late bishops of Antipolo located beneath the church and offered the prayer of “De Profundis” (Prayer for the Dead) in remembrance of their service to the Mother Church.

Right after their tour, the members then headed to the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina, where they were welcomed by Rev. Fr. Francis Roi Madarang, the Parochial Vicar of the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, together with Mr. Kevin Angelo R. Eguia and other members of the Social Communications Committee of the shrine. They were introduced to the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned and its history. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to touch the image while offering their prayers and petitions. The members were then invited to simple snacks in their convent.

Indeed, it was a grace-filled event for the KAPATID members as they learned more about two of the Marian images venerated in the Philippines. No words can express their gratitude to those who helped in making their pilgrimage possible. It definitely inspired them to fulfil their mission in making Jesus Christ known to others through her presence. BR. JUNE EDUARD D. MERCEDE, OP

IMITATING the examples of the disciples who prepared themselves before they went to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick, all KAPATID members joined the seminar series program in preparation for their apostolic ministry. Every Friday at 8:30 PM, from August 12 until September 2, 2022, four speakers delivered various noteworthy topics in the KAPATID office.

As the first speaker of the seminar series, Br. Vince Stanley B. Ińigo, OP gave a talk about Mary in the Scriptures. He showed significant details about Mary from the Old and New Testaments. Mary is the one whom God has chosen from the beginning to participate in His divine plan. Her humble life appeared clearly in the Gospel of Luke, and her influential role also manifested at the end of the Scriptures, particularly in the Book of Revelation.

In the second week, Br. Mervin G. Lomague OP shared about the history of the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary—La Naval de Manila. Br. Lomague shared his knowledge and research about Our Lady of the Rosary—La Naval de Manila, starting from the Galleon trade, the battle of La Naval, until the current Filipino devotion to Our Lady.

On August 26, 2022, Br. Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, OP zealously shared his wisdom about the rosary, the powerful spiritual weapon of the faithful, and its relation to the Order of Preachers. Tradition tells that the Blessed Mother herself gave the rosary to St. Dominic in order to combat the Albigensian heresy. Br. Aboy also talked about the series of developments the rosary underwent until how we know it in the present time.

On September 2, 2022, the last day of the seminar series, all KAPATID members learned about spiritual direction and counseling with Br. Roberto S. Castellano Jr., OP as the speaker. This skill is essential because all KAPATID members attend the weekly meetings of various praesidia of the Legion of Mary of Sto. Domingo Parish as spiritual directors. Br. Castellano also explained the ethical and legal concerns of establishing a professional spiritual direction.

Hopefully, this activity will help all the members lead the faithful to a genuine encounter with Christ by fostering true devotion and reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary. BR. MICHAEL SATRIA ABI DILEYON, OP

Shrine workers undergo catechectical program

ON NOVEMBER 4, 2022, the student-brothers started the catechetical series on the sacraments for shrine employees including the parking attendants at Santo Domingo Church, Quezon City. The program, organized by the Dominican Studentate Pastoral Board in coordination with Santo Domingo Convent, aims to increase the knowledge of the shrine personnel and parking attendants about the Catholic faith, particularly on the sacraments, and to provide an avenue for the student-brothers to enhance their preaching skills. The catechesis would be done every First Friday of the month and would be followed by the Holy Mass.