By Cl. Saverinus Mite Medho, SDB

       National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Parañaque City, the Philippines, 30 April 2022 -- Ten young Salesians from the East Asia-Oceania (EAO) Region have professed Perpetual Vows to live forever in Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity. They are the following:

1. Cl. Jese Alves Soares, SDB (Vice-Province of East Timor)
2. Cl. Joel Tabios Granada, SDB (the Philippines–North Province)
3. Cl. Jose Femilar Bayta Valenzuela, SDB (the Philippines–North Province)
4. Cl. Enrico Bituin Mercado, SDB (the Philippines–North Province)
5. Cl. Maeko Verano Diaz, SDB (the Philippines–North Province)
6. Cl. Antonio Beldad Velarde, SDB (the Philippines–South Province)
7. Cl. Barnard Alfred, SDB (Pakistan Delegation, the Philippines–South Province)
8. Cl. Antonius Widianto, SDB (Vice-Province of Indonesia)
9. Cl. Fransisco Kherubim Nuwa, SDB (Vice-Province of Indonesia)
10. Cl. Joseph Labya Mai Li, SDB (Vice-Province of Myanmar)

       The Salesian Congregation and all of us are blessed to witness their Perpetual Profession. Religious Profession is a sign of God’s love and Mercy and a loving encounter between God who calls and the disciples who respond by giving themselves totally to God, to the Congregation, and to the young.

       In his homily, General Councillor for Missions Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB, shared that the 11 disciples went to Galilee, 11 fragile men, 11 who are followers of Christ and imperfect, and they are sent to do His work, to continue His mission. Jesus takes the imperfect men to do the perfect work of evangelization. Fr. Maravilla is doing his extraordinary visitation to the Philippines, on behalf of the Rector Major.

       By its very nature, the Perpetual Profession is a call to proclaim the Gospel, to follow Christ throughout the world. The consecrated life makes us totally available to be sent wherever God sends us. Our beloved brothers that profess the evangelical vows today are called to fulfill the mission of God. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

       The consecrated life is a gift from God himself and to persevere in this gift we need the grace of God. The Perpetual Profession that we are witnessing today is a sign of an unbreakable response of love to the unbreakable of God’s love and mercy.

       In his gratitude speech, Cl. Jose Felimar Valenzuaela expressed gratitude to the Lord and his Mother Mary, and to St. John Bosco. He thanked the Salesians, the Lay Mission Partners, and the young people who have contributed to their vocation. God has called them and promised them to continue walking with them. “I will be with you” (Isaiah 43.2).

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