Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.Carm

February 5, 1933 – April 6, 2019

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Today, April 6, we remember Bro. Arnold van Vugt, O.Carm., who joined our Lord on this day in 2019.

Bro. Arnold entered the Carmelite Order at the age of 14. He was ordained to the preisthood in 1960 and volunteered to come to the Philippines in 1961.

He was assigned in Escalante City where he worked with farmers and fishermen. Then he was assigned in Iligan City as social action director of the Diocese of Ozamis.

He was involved in the labor movement and worked for social justice. During the Marcos regime, he was imprisoned, deported and considered an undesirable alien. But he returned with so much passion to join the Filipino people in their struggle against the tyrannical Marcos dictatorship.

Bro. Arnold became a superior in the Philippines in the 1970s and was a memebr of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (now Conference of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines).

Bro. Arnold eventually found a different calling and left the priesthood in 1987 to marry Lorna.

As a laicized priest, he continued serving the Filipino people and the church through the Horeb Center, a non-government organization he founded which focused on the organizing of basic Christian communities.

He continued serving the Order as an associate Carmelite. He was a member of the San Alberto Cebu-Ormoc Community.

We are forever grateful to Bro. Arnold.

Let us remember Bro. Arnold in our prayers. (Daluyang Karmelo|CCSPC)

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.Carm

June 20, 1942 – April 2, 2023

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The Province of St. Titus Brandsma (Philippines and Papua New Guinea) of the Order of Carmelites grieves with our brothers and sisters of the Netherland Province for the loss of a very dear confrere, Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.Carm.

Fr. Kees was very dear to us Filipino and Papua New Guinea Carmelites as he was instrumental to the growth of our ministry in spirituality, the Institute of Spirituality in Asia.

Through his many lectures and interactions with us, he helped us realize the true essence of lived spirituality and how as Carmelites we should be beacons of the beauty of the spiritual life.

He was a brother, a mentor, a father, a friend.

Fr. Kees peacefully passed on in the afternoon of April 2, surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Carmel, comforting him with the words of Psalm 23.

Fr. Kees, truly, you are a blessing to us and to the church.

Please say a prayer for the eternal repose of our brother Kees. (Daluyang Karmelo|CCSPC)

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Edgar Koning, O.Carm

May 9, 1932 – March 31, 2020

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Today, March 31, we remember Fr. Edgar Koning, O.Carm., who joined our Lord on this day in 2020.

Fr. Edgar played a vital role in bringing to the fore the injustice against the Filipino people.

Fr. Edgar arrived in the Philippines in 1965 and managed Mount Carmel College and Magdalene Hospital in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

For eight years he worked to protect the rights of the poor farmers of Negros and shared in the struggle of the poor.

Fr. Ben Wolbers, O.Carm. said that Fr. Edgar “found it difficult to cope with the far-reaching corruption the country suffered from the unjust ways in which the large landowners treated their workers.”

Because of this he was overworked and eventually became ill and after eight years in Philippines, in 1973, he was forced to return to the Netherlands.

Even though based in the Netherlands, he continued to work for justice and peace in the Philippines, involving himself with the Philippine solidarity group and founded Fidoc, the Philippine Information and Documentation Center.

“Edgar still felt strongly connected with the Filipino people in heart and soul,” said Fr. Wolbers.

We are forever grateful to Fr. Edgar.

Let us remember Fr. Edgar in our prayers. (Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm.)

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Noud Arts, O.Carm.

March 25, 1945 – March 30, 2018

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Today, March 30, we remember Fr. Noud “Nol” Arts, O.Carm.

He joined our creator on this day in 2018.

Let us remember Fr. Noud Arts in our prayers.

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Richard Vissers, O.Carm.

♰ March 8, 1992

Today, March 8, we remember Fr. Richard Vissers, O.Carm., the very first Dutch Carmelite missionary to the Philippines.

In October 1957, Fr. Vissers, who was a missionary to Indonesia, together with the Prior Provincial of the Dutch province, Fr. Brocardus Meijer, came to the Philippines to explore the possibility of opening a mission in the country.

Their goal was to assist the local church, to have a base in Asia in case the Dutch missionaries were forced to leave Indonesia, and to establish the Order in the country.

They heeded the invitation of Bishop Epifanio Surban of the Diocese of Dumaguete and so on March 15, 1958, the Order settled in the country taking in two poor parishes in the Diocese of Dumaguete – Saint Anthony Parish in Toboso and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Escalante, both in Negros Occidental.

Fr. Vissers was joined by Fr. Werenfried Viester, Fr. Teodulf Vrakking, and the first Filipino Carmelite, Fr. Fidelis Limcaco, who decided to leave the Order in the same year.

Fr. Vissers was the first superior of the Order in the Philippines and saw the expansion of the Order into different ministries, as well as mission areas.

He joined our creator on this day in 1992.

Let us remember Fr. Vissers in our prayers.

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Cor Hendriks, O.Carm.

February 17, 1991

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

On this day we remember Fr. Cor Hendriks, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines.

Fr. Cor was one of the early Dutch Carmelite missionaries to the Philippines. In his stay in the Philippines, he was one of those who was sent to start new foundations.

On April 18, 1963, together with Fr. Jan Lansink, he was sent to Agusan del Sur to take over from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the schools attached to it.

Later he was sent to Iligan City with Fr. Arnold Van Vugt to establish Iligan Carmel.

In 1981, Fr. Cor, together with Fr. Paul Medina and Fr. Anton Korterik, went to the Diocese of Ilagan in Isabela to establish the presence of the Carmelites in the Diocese. Fr. Cor was assigned in San Mariano, Isabela with Fr. Paul.

On June 1990, Fr. Cor was assigned as parish priest in Escalante, but had to transfer to Manila because of his failing health. It was later decided that he return to the Netherlands for further treatment. Fr. Cor was diagnosed with cancer and spent the remainder of his life with his family in Oploo. His body is buried in Boxmeer.

With gratitude, let us remember Fr. Cor in our prayers today. (Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm.)

Photos courtesy of Fr. Gilbert Sabado, O.Carm. and Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, O.Carm.

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Bro. Herman Wekking, a.O.Carm.

September 19, 1936 – January 28, 2023

“For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8

The Order of Carmelites in the Philippines grieves with Evelyn and the rest of the family of our brother, Bro. Herman Wekking, a.O.Carm., who left this temporary dwelling to be with our Lord.

Funeral service will be on February 3, Friday, in Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Join us in praying for the eternal repose of the soul of Bro. Herman.

Eternal rest grant unto Bro. Herman, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The following is the message of the Prior Provincial and his council on Bro. Herman’s passing:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With sadness, we inform you that Herman Wekking, an Associate of the Carmelites in the Philippines (O.Carm.), died today, January 28, 2023 at his home in Toboso, Negros Occidental. We join his family in mourning, entrusting our beloved Herman back to our loving Father.

With hope, we affirm our belief that his journey in life is changed, not ended. As one big Carmelite family, we thank God for his life that was shared to us, for his dedication to the church and his people, especially in his work for the poor.

We assure the family of Herman that we will offer masses and prayers for him and for them, the bereaved family.

Rest now Herman, in peace, and feel the warmth of God’s embrace.

Rev. Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm.
Prior Provincial

January 28, 2023
New Manila, Quezon City

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Engelbert Hein van Vilsteren, O.Carm.

April 9, 1935 – January 16, 1973

Today, January 16, we remember Fr. Engelbert van Vilsteren, O.Carm., who was martyred in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur at the height of the dictatorship of then Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

He was born on April 9, 1935 at Wijhe-Boerhaar, The Netherlands and entered the Carmelite Order on September 10, 1956.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 9, 1961 and three years after was assigned to the Philippines as a missionary.

On January 16, 1973, on their way to retrieve the body of a teacher who was killed in the outskirts of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, they were ambushed by cult members and he died trying to defend his companions from the violent mob.

His witness in living the faith, inspired the members of the Provincial Board of the Province of Agusan del Sur to issue Board Resolution No. 9 the day after his murder, Januar 17, 1973, stating:

Whereas, Rev. Fr. Engelbert van Vilsteren, besides devoting himself in the propagation of his faith and in the service of his Church, has always gone out of his way to extend a helping hand to those in need;

Whereas, during the entire period of his stay in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, he has done much in (the) education (of) our young, in molding their character and preparing them to become responsible citizens and future leaders of our country;

Whereas, his love for his fellowmen was so much, that on various occasions he braved inclement weather to help those in distress; he threw aside self-precautions just so he could save life, and in his dealing with the people around him, he has always been fair and just – living a true Christian life;

Whereas, in his desire to be of service to his fellowmen, on January 16, 1973, he drove the ambulance to fetch a body of one Restituto Dollete who was reported to be murdered in cold blood. And on their way at around 6:00 pm, they were ambushed, and he was one of the innocent victims.

Let us remember Fr. Engelbert in our prayers.

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Toon Mol, O.Carm.

✞ November 22, 2015

On this day we remember Fr. Toon Mol, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines.

Fr. Toon served the Carmelite community in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for around 40 years.

Let us remember Fr. Toon in our prayers.

A few words of kindness for Fr. Toon Mol, O.Carm.

I remember you with love Fr. Ton Mol . Rest in God’s peace . You are always in our hearts forever.
– Nina Ricci

One of the very humble Carmelites I ever known.
– Roel Paniza

Salamat, Fr. Toon Mol. You helped the seed of Carmel grow in the Philippines.
– Fr. Cocoy Sabanal

Fr Mol, your kindness, memories will be etched in our hearts forever…thanks for serving the people of Old Poblacion… Rest in peace
– Marites Cajeras Paculanang

Thank you Fr. Toon Mol for being a real brother’s keeper. Despite the many pains and heartaches, your assuring smile and kind words taught me to live a simple and prayerful life. God bless you in heaven for being a missionary in the Phil’s. With your un-cobditional love for us Filipinos!
– John Gelio-ano

Remembering Fr. Mol who once wanted to donate his blood to me but we are not a match. Thank you, Fr. Mol. I pray for the repose of your soul.
– Teresita Dueñas Abibas

You are now in communion together with Frans, Arnold, Hein, Jan, Edgar, Bernard, Anton, Toon, Jan, Bert, Simon, Nanette, and many other Carmelite-spirited souls. Have fun. We continue to pray for you. Please pray and help guide us here on earth.
– Melvin Rabelista, aO.Carm

Rest in Peace Fr. Mol. You will never be forgotten us (Escalantehanon) . Thank you for sharing the Word of God. 
– Analyn Baron Pios

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023

Fr. Jan Simon Westendorp, O.Carm.

November 19, 1936 – November 21, 1983

On this day we remember Fr. Simon Westendorp, O.Carm. whose life was a gift to the church in the Philippines. Fr. Simon worked wholeheartedly on social justice, wanting to bring God’s kingdom to the poor. His engagement with the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines allowed him to encounter Christ in the least, the lost, and the last.

Fr. Simon was born in Hengevelde, Municipality of Haaksbergen, the Netherlands on November 19, 1936.

He joined the Order of Carmelites on October 18, 1955 at the age of 18, professing his vows a year later on September 10, 1956. On July 9, 1961 he was ordained to the priesthood and shortly after that left for the Philippines, arriving on August 1964.

He was assigned as assistant parish priest in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Escalante, Negros Occidental at the same time he was the rector of the Carmelite Minor Seminary.

It was there that he became involved in the establishment of credit union cooperatives, exposing him to the realities of the poor sugar plantation workers in Negros.

In 1976 he accepted the challenge of strengthening the church in Agusan del Sur, becoming the parish priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in San Francisco and prior of the community while serving as councilor of the Philippine Carmelite Commissary.

Simon believed that the church is not separate from the struggles of the people. He said:

“Our feelings and expectations regarding the near future are closely linked with the people’s struggle for liberation. Regarding religious life, we see no future unless we religious can integrate ourselves in the struggle of laborers and farmers for liberation. It should become ever clearer that this is a question of faith. This should be basic to our spirituality.”

In Agusan, Fr. Simon made sure that the church is clear in being in solidarity with the poor farmers who are being threated of losing their home, land, and livelihood from the Guthrie Palm Oil Project.

On November 21, 1983, Fr. Simon perished in the tragic sinking of MV Doña Cassandra along Surigao Strait. They were on their way to Cebu City for a convention of religious and church workers working for the betterment of the poor.

Witnesses relate that when the boat was sinking, Fr. Simon and the other church workers were busy distributing lifevests, calming passengers, and saving the children. With Fr. Simon were Sr. Nanette Berentsen of the Congregation of Sisters of Julie Postel; Religious of the Good Shephered sisters Consuelo Chuidian, Concepcion Conti, Virginia Gonzaga, Catherine Loreto; Salesian sister Josephine Medrano; and Sr. Amparo Gilbuena, MSM. They are collectively known as the Martyrs of Charity and are honored as one of the heroes of the martial law years.

Today, let us remember Fr. Simon and the rest of the Cassandra Martyrs in our prayers.

• Facebook
• YouTube

• Bro. Arnoldus Josefus Bekkering van Vugt, a.O.CarmApril 6, 2023
• Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.CarmApril 3, 2023
• In Memoriam: Fr. Edgar Koning, O.CarmMarch 31, 2023