By Cl. Paulo Miguel Calderon, SDB
Mr. John Villafania

Parañaque City, the Philippines, 1 May 2024 --Today, Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, four Salesian Clerics committed themselves forever to the life and mission of St. John Bosco–helping the young save their souls through human and spiritual formation.

Held at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, we were particularly blessed to witness a loving encounter between God and His servants through the perpetual profession of these brothers:

• Cl. Mark Soriano, SDB (FIN)
• Cl. Alfonsus Navarete, SDB (INA [Province of Indonesia])
• Cl. Antanitha Kingslyn, SDB (LKC [Vice Province of Sri Lanka])
• Cl. Paulraj Pankiras Sujanthan, SDB (LKC [Vice Province of Sri Lanka])

His Eminence Virgilio Cardinal Da Silva, SDB, DD, of the Archdiocese of Dili in Timor Leste presided over the Eucharistic Celebration while Rev. Fr. Gerardo N, Martin, SDB, Provincial Superior of the Philippine North Province, received their perpetual profession on behalf of the Rector Major.

We were also blessed with the presence of our EAO Regional Councillor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Phouc, SDB.

In his homily, Cardinal Da Silva, quoting Pope Francis, challenged our newly perpetually professed Salesians with three notable words: Prophecy, Proximity, and Hope.

The celebration ended with a luncheon program held at the Church’s gymnasium. It was attended by different members of the Salesian Family, Salesian confreres, and young people. We thank God for these brothers and continue to pray for their faithful perseverance.

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