Twenty Carmelite brothers gathered in San Fancisco, Agusan del Sur beginning June 27, starting the five-day gathering of young perpetually professed Filipino Carmelite brothers as part of their on-going formation.
With the theme, “Journeying together as brothers in contemplative service,” the Friars in Transition (FITRs) gathering features talks and activities aimed at achieving the following objectives: 1. To provide venue for sharing of our joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures, aspirations and difficulties; 2. To foster fraternity, camaraderie and mutual respect among young solemn professed Carmelites as consecrated persons; and 3. To hope and dream together for the Province and the Philippine Church.
Fr. Esmeraldo Reforeal, O.Carm., novice master and provincial secretary of the province shared on the first day the topic of brotherhood and community life, entitled, “Compassionate Self = Safe Community.”
After the input, the brothers were given the opportunity to share their different experiences in the communities where they were assigned.
(Visit the Philippine Carmelites Facebook page for more pictures on the first day)
On the second day, June 28, Fr. Alaindelon Balasabas, O.Carm. shared his reflection on prayer, entitled, “Prayer: The Holy Ground”, grounding it on Exodus 3:3-6, Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush. In the afternoon, the participants visited the memorial chapel of Fr. Engelbert van Vilsteren, O.Carm. at San Francisco Public Cemetery and the graves of Fr. Christopher Exala, O.Carm., Fr. Eduardo Albina, O.Carm. and Fr. Pete Manilag, O.Carm. at San Lorenzo Ruiz Memorial Garden. In the evening, Sto. Rosario Parish through its Parish Pastoral Council in Rosario, Agusan del Sur hosted the brothers’ dinner and get-together.
(Visit the Philippine Carmelites Facebook page for more photos on the second day)
On June 29, Fr. Christian Buenafe shared about service, sharing situations in different ministries while allowing the brothers to also share their stories in the ministries where they were assigned. The day concluded with a basketball game between the participants and the basketball team of Mount Carmel High School – Rosario at the covered court of Mount Carmel College of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
(Visit the Philippine Carmelites Facebook page for more photos on the third day)
The fourth day was highlighted with a conversation with the prior provincial, The Very Rev. Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm., who shared some points from the Global Plan of the General Council 2019-2025, the state of the province since the start of the triennium after the February 2019 provincial chapter, the challenges the province continues to face, and the plans of the province until the end of the triennium before the next chapter on March 2023. The sharing ended with an open discussion with the participants.
It formally concluded with a meeting of the participants with the on-going formation convenor of the province, Fr. Fernando Lopez, O.Carm., facilitated by Fr. Mannie Barlis, O.Carm., convenor of the gathering. The meeting started with a survey on further studies and an evaluation on the conduct of the current FITRs. Then an election for the convenor and the core group of the next gathering for the 2023-2026 triennium. Elected was Br. Eduardo Adolfo Jr., O.Carm. as convenor and Br. Rio Mar Sindac, O.Carm., Br. Kim Paul Escobal, O.Carm., Fr. Joiezl Fern Pinon, O.Carm., and Fr. Christopher Labrador, O.Carm.
The day ended with the participants’ online participation on the St. Titus Brandsma Webinar Series organized by the Asia-Australia-Oceania Formation Commission and given by the vice prior general, Fr. Benny Phang Khong Wing, O.Carm. entitled, “St. Titus, an Academic, Lessons for Our Lives.”
(Visit the Philippine Carmelites Facebook page for more photos on the fourth day)
On the fifth day, July 1, the participants of the gathering, together with the volunteers, went on a day trip to Caguait in Surigao del Sur.
The FITRs is usually held twice every three years. This triennium’s FITRs is hosted by the Ss. Elijah and Elisha Carmelite Community of Agusan del Sur together with the parish community of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Santo Rosario Parish, administrators and staff of Agusan Carmelite Schools, Third Order Carmelites, and Carmel Youth of San Francisco and Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
Photo Ritche T. Salgado, Alysa Kate Barba, OCarm PDO, and James Ladra.