By Arlene Sasan
Provincial Coordinator

       ASC Cebu, The Philippines, 14 October 2022 -- 13 October is a special date for all Salesian Cooperators! It is a day dedicated to our patron saint as Cooperators – Blessed Alexandrina da Costa. This year’s commemoration at the ASC-FIS was highlighted by an online and onsite Triduum involving Cooperators from the Philippines South Province as far as Mati and Davao Oriental (Mindanao) or Victorias and Mambukal (Negros Occidental) as well as here in Cebu province.

       The Triduum started with the prayerful meditation of the Holy Rosary, followed by the Novena Prayer and the short meditation on the holiness of Bl. Alexandrina. Sharers were Sr. Evangeline B. Rago, FMA on the first day, Sr. Arlene T. Rafaela, FMA on the second day, and Fr. Orlando Borres, SDB on the third day. The feast's highlight was the solemn celebration of the Holy Mass at the SDB Novitiate Chapel at Lawaan, Talisay City.

       The ambiance led all those present to unite with the unselfish dedication of Bl. Alexandrina to our Lord in the Eucharist. Fr. Orlando Borres was the main celebrant, and Fr. Godofredo Atienza, SDB. was the concelebrant. Fr. Orly’s homily reiterated how Bl. Alexandrina has given totally herself to the Lord by receiving HIM only and nothing else in a span of 13 years. He challenged all Cooperators to let Jesus be the ALL of our lives, to live a life of holiness like Blessed Alexandrina in the ordinariness of the daily.

       After the spiritual nourishment was the physical strengthening where the bounty of God’s graces was poured upon our table. The multiplication of bread happens as each chapter brought palatable foods that delighted everyone. The day’s event came to an end filled with gratitude and a challenge to live holy lives – to become saints in the daily life.

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