By Bro. Perry Cervera, SDB

DBFC, Lawaan, Cebu, The Philippines, 21 August 2024 -- From August 14 to 19, 2024, Rev. Fr Joseph Nguyen Phuoc, SDB, Regional Councillor for the East Asia-Oceania Region, visited Don Bosco Formation Center – Lawaan as part of the extraordinary visitation on behalf of the Rector Major to the Salesian Philippine South Province (FIS).

On the eve of Mary’s Holy Assumption, during the Community Solemn Vespers, Fr Joseph arrived at DBFC, accompanied by Fr Andrian Mendoza, SDB, Rector of the community, and Fr Roneldo Vilbar, SDB, Novice Director. At 8:30 p.m. on the same day, Fr. Joseph met with the Salesians for the Opening Conference.

The following day, 15 August, during the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption, Fr Joseph presided over the First Religious Profession Holy Mass of the Somnium Dei. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr Gregorio Bicomong, SDB, Provincial of the Vice Province of PGS; Fr Gerardo Martin, SDB, Provincial of the FIN Province; and Fr Fidel Orendain, SDB, Provincial of the FIS Province, along with other Salesians from the FIN and FIS Provinces. Fr Joseph accepted the newly professed Salesians into the Congregation.

During Fr Joseph’s stay, he met individually with the Salesians and also with the newly professed Salesians on the eve of Don Bosco’s birth, 16 August. On Saturday, he met with the lay mission partners of DBFC. Then, on Sunday morning, 18 August, he met with the Salesian Family of Lawaan, including ASC, ADMA, and DBPPOL, followed by a meeting with the DBYC Leaders, Animators, and selected members. In the afternoon, he met the Con Dio Novices and, finally, the Aspirants and Prenovices.

On Monday, 19 August at 10:30 a.m., Fr Joseph met with the Salesians for the Closing Conference, where he shared his observations and provided recommendations for the community to consider. During lunchtime, a simple short program was organized to express the community’s gratitude for Fr. Joseph’s presence. The Aspirants, Prenovices, and Novices offered a performance, and Novice Glenn delivered a gratitude speech on behalf of the community. The program concluded with the community singing a blessing song to Fr. Joseph.

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