Five seminarians of the Mary Help of Christians Theology Seminary in Pangasinan were recently accepted to start their formation as postulants with the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Last September 12, on the memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary, seminarians Neil Patrick Bulan, Freddie Untalasco, Joselito Mari Claveria, Jay Boy Alegoria, and Epraim Gloria received the brown scapular of Our Lady as a symbol of their membership to the Order.
The acceptance was held at the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph during the celebration of the Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Romero and witnessed by Carmelite nuns.
Sem. Joselito said that since childhood he had embraced the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
“Her mantle, the brown scapular, is like a maternal embrace and protection that consoles me throughout my life,” he said.
For Sem. Neil, having embraced St. John of the Corss as his patron saint, he studied the works of the saint, in fact, he said, the first spiritual classic that he read was John of the Cross’s Dark Night of the Soul.
“A contemplative and silent life was the very drive I had as I entered the seminary,” he said and having been accepted to the Third Order of Carmel is for him “a great consolation and blessing from Him.”
“In view of my future ministry, the Carmelite spirituality enables me to see the ministry as part of God’s divine plan, not my work or effort by a mission that God alone can suffice or complete,” said Sem. Joselito.
“This gift and mission to be a Carmelite for the Church enables me to respond authentically because the call for me is to be a contemplative and at the same time to be active in the mission of the Church,” he added.
The Third Order of Carmel is a branch of the Carmelite Order composed of lay people and clerics who follow the Third Order Rule. They are true members of the Order and shares in the unique spirit of the Carmelite family. (Contributed photos).
Congratulations Neil Patrick Bulan for accepting the Third Order of Carmel,,, God has chosen you to help HIM to spread the good news to mankind,,,,continue the good works and God Bless you always.