Lawaan, Cebu, The Philippines, 20 August 2024 -- On 15 August 15 2024, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, at 10:00 AM Philippine Standard Time in the Shrine of St John Bosco the Dreamer, Don Bosco Formation Center, Lawaan, the Salesian Congregation celebrated the public profession of evangelical vows by eight Salesian novices who were formally welcomed as members of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales. The novices are Emmanuel Almeria, Wilson Alo II, Matthew Espino, Madelon Gaddao, and Ruel Gonzales from the Philippine North Province, as well as Peter Kamara, Noah Bisam, and Sisto Oge from the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Province.
The vows of Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity were professed in front of Rev. Fr Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, SDB, who represented the Rector Major, currently in Cebu for his Extraordinary Visitation to the Salesian Houses of the Philippine South Province. A solemn investiture of the cassock followed, with the parents of the newly professed Salesians assisting their sons in donning their cassocks. Fr Joseph then presented them with the Salesian Constitutions and a commemorative medal of St John Bosco.
A fellowship with the Salesian Family took place at the DBFC Pilgrim Hall to celebrate the momentous event and to foster the family spirit of Don Bosco.
