INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY CELEBRATION

The Indigenous Peoples’ Sunday celebration in the Diocese of Bangued took place on the 26^th October 2009 sixteen days after the usual calendar date not only due to typhoon Pepeng that left great devastations in the Northern Philippines but to give opportunity for parish priests to take part in the celebrations. The theme of this year’s celebration is: “TA SIMBAAN KANDAT NAINSIGUDAN A TATTAO AGKAYKAYSADA A MANGAMIRIS TA PAMMATI”

At eight o’clock in the morning people majority dressed in the formal indigenous attire started to turn up  at the Divine Word College of Bangued Gymnasium. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Msgr. Nilo Peig, the Vicar General with no less than fifteen priests concelebrating with him, set the mood of the day festive at the same time solemn. In his homily, Fr. Andres Lunes Taoil, an indigenous diocesan priest himself, hammered on the relationship of Christianity with the faith of the indigenous Elders. He tried to insinuate that God’s revelation was given also to the indigenous peoples (Elders) even before the coming of Christtianity. Having been baptized as Christians is a confirmation of that faith handed down by the Elders from time immemorial to the present age.   He lamented though that many beautiful aspect of faith and cultural heritage had been eroded and destroyed in the passing of time by what he called “negative influences” of modernity and affluence. He recounted a number of personal accounts on how he in his early stages of life imbibed the indigenous values that were way of life then  like  “land ownership”, “alluyon” (common working together), “strict justice” application and so on.  As he looks ahead, he envisions a strong Tinggian ( a term for the Indigenous peoples of Abra) communities harmoniously connected with nature and living peacefully with all people of different culture.

While waiting for the program to commence, “patupat” (a native delicacy made of glutinous rice) was generously distributed. Likewise, “basi” ( sugar cane wine) was brought in and later on served by  beautiful young ladies to the enjoyment of men and women as they exchange pleasantries.

The flow of the program from the beginning to the end was commendable. The cultural presentations showcasing the history, life, faith as well as aspirations of the Indigenous peoples, the Tinggian of Abra in particular have gained great satisfaction as demonstrated by the thunderous applause at the beginning, middle and end of each number. The Speakers, Fr. Cirilo Ortega, SVD (Inspirational Message), Mr. Belmer Yano (Guest Speaker) and Congresswoman Hon. Cecilia Seares Luna (Sharing of an Elder) did their job well. In a gist, our Speakers were in one mind that the Indigenous Peoples are children of God like anybody else here on earth. That in their life and aspirations, the Indigenous Peoples endeavor to live harmoniously with their environment and they do everything they can to preserve, protect and to enhance it. They also reach out to other communities in love, justice and peace. And among themselves, they promote coresponsibility and trustfulness…and altogether they help build the Kingdom of God. That their sense of values is deeply rooted to their culture and in the Word of God. KODUS to Fr. Rodel Molina, the IPA (Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate) diocesan Director and to the IPA core Group for a job well done.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. PROVINCIAL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. PROVINCIAL

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of our beloved Father Provincial Superior Jerome Adriatico, SVD

FR. JOSEPH TASCHNER, SVD TURNS 60 AS A MISSIONARY IN THE PHILIPPINES!

“Fr. Joseph Taschner, SVD, now 88,  celebrated his 60^th ordination anniversary on September 25 at the Mary Consolatrix of the Eucharist chapel  in Angin, Naguilian, La Union.

Bishop Artemio Rillera of the Diocese of San Fernando of La Union, in his short message before the final blessing, thanked Fr. Taschner for his “gift of priesthood to the Philippines.”  Present during the Concelebrated Mass  were PHN Provincial Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD, Fr. Emil Pati, SVD, Fr. Elmer Loreto, SVD, Fr. Macario Apuya, SVD, Fr. Nick Vergara, SVD, Fr. Manolito Baroña, SVD, and Fr. Andy Cosalan, a former student of Fr. Taschner at Immaculate Conception School of Theology (ICST) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. People he helped through the years, particularly from Vigan, also came.

He first served as Chaplain of the Sisters of Mary Consolatrix Monastery in Naguilian, La Union since 1988. The congregation’s founder, Mother Marie Alexis de Jesus Pacis, 91, considers Fr. Taschner as  co-founder of her congregation which has the special task of praying for the Church hierarchy, the Holy Father, Bishops, priests and religious. The congregation was founded in 1976.

Short Biography of Fr. Joseph Taschner, SVD

Fr. Joseph Taschner is the eldest of five children to a family of farmers in Austria. At ten, he already wanted to become a priest, but poverty, and a sick mother held him back. His teacher told him, “If God wants you to become a priest, and you want it, God will give you the money.”

A year later, he was “tentatively” accepted at the minor seminary of St. Rupert of the Society of the Divine Word. He was only asked to pay a small part of the tuition fee.

In June of 1939, he entered the novitiate of the SVD in Western Germany. By March 1941, together with other seminarians, he was called to the military service. He was assigned near Moscow, nursing wounded soldiers near the frontlines and served as interpreter of the Russian language. In 1945, he got wounded and was brought to a hospital in Denmark where he remained until the end of the war, and became a prisoner of war to the English Armed Forces.

Fr. Taschner  took his first religious vow on March 6, 1941, and was allowed to renew them every year, before two fellow soldiers as witnesses.

In October 1945, he went back to the seminary in St. Augustine where he continued his novitiate and his second year of Philosophy. When he finished his novitiate in June 1946, and had taken his final exams in Philosophy, he was transferred to the seminary in St. Gabriel for his studies in Theology. With five others, he was ordained priest on September 25, 1949.” (Article: Courtesy of PHN Website)Photos: Phnmission

THE SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD (SVD) IN THE PHILIPPINES MARKS 100TH YEAR IN WITNESSING TO THE WORD!

August 21 to 23, 2009, came the most awaited time. Abra, the cradle of the Society of the Divine Word or SVD was all set to mark the 100^th year of SVD missionary presence in the Philippines. On the evening of August 21, a “Pangili” (Tinggian welcome ceremony) was generously hosted by St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish to welcome guests, delegates, representatives and missionaries from within and outside the country. After the sumptuous dinner, everybody enjoyed the program showcasing the stages of missionary activities in Abra.

On August 22, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Joseph Adams presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the Cathedral of St. James the Elder together with not less than 20 Bishops and more than 200 priests. The Mass attendance in thousand in and outside the wall of the Cathedral includes SVD Brothers, members of other religious congregations, national (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) and local government officials and delegates. In the evening, a cultural production was staged at the Divine Word College of Bangued Gym participated in sequence by our talented SVD school faculty members and students.

On August 23 morning, all roads led to San Isidro, the very place where our first two SVD missionaries Fr. Luis Beckert, SVD and Fr. Juan Scheiermann, SVD were received by the people on August 23, 1909 and right there and then established the first SVD mission station ever. The motorcade was interrupted by a stop over at the

cemetery where Fr. Juan Scheiermann was entombed after he succumbed to a deadly malaria infection barely five months since his arrival. Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD, the Provincial Superior of PHN led the service.

A procession down to the church followed against the scorching sun.

Today in my wild imagination, from the abode of our ancestors, St.Arnold Janssen our founder together with our Abra departed missionaries are rejoicing as they fixed their gazes downward and behold our present Superior General Very Rev. Fr. Antonio Pernia, SVD leading the celebration of the Centennial Mass right at the place where our first two missionaries said their first Mass hundred of years ago. The Founder must have noted that today 100 years ago, a bishop arrived with two missionaries with few people to meet them, this time at this celebration, there is one SVD bishop and two hundred priests with thousands of people to be with them. Meanwhile, Saints and Angels in heaven paused …. and together with St. Arnold and other departed SVD missionaries watched and listened to to the singing and dancing during the Centennial Mass. Many of  them who were at this area before could not believe their eyes, development has taken a stride, no more horses on the road but cars, the rough road now smooth and paved, the wooden bridges are now made of steel and concrete and the cogon church has been transformed into multicolored place of worship. What remained unchanged is the missionary fervor of the people as shown by the collaborative partnership between the local government and the church, between the priest and his parishioners. And of course, I am very sure he is very much thankful and appreciative of the varied supports afforded to by SVD friends, Associates, Relatives, and benefactors eversince… ( for more pictures please visit SVD Centennial pages)

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EIGHT THEOLOGY SEMINARIANS ORDAINED DEACONS IN SAN ISIDRO, ABRA,

THE CRADLE OF THE SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD (SVD)

ON JUNE 27, 2009

AT THE OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR PARISH

 

    Fr. Devasagayam Savariyappan, SVD (Parish Priest) Rev. Benedicto Awitin, SVD; Rev. Abraham Ronald Borja, SVD; Most Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD,DD (Bishop of Bangued); Rev. John Vasquez (diocesan); Rev. Ferdinand Antoine Bajao, SVD; Rev. Dante Barril, SVD; Rev. Severo Biton Jr.,SVD; Rev. Michael Namba. SVD; Rev. Crisostomo Salar, SVD

 

            To make the SVD Centennial celebrations historically meaningful, the ordination of our seven Divine Word Fratres and a diocesan theology Seminarian to the Order of Deacons was held in San Isidro, Abra. San Isidro now is the Cagutongan where the very first Divine Word Missionaries started their missions 100 years ago. To date back that very memorable arrival, Fr. Luis Beckert, SVD and Fr. Juan Scheiermann, SVD were welcomed joyfully by the people of Cagutongan on August 23, 1909. Likened to a high-voltage electric wire connected to a powerful generator, it multiplied year by year by way of “splitters”. Charged with uninterrupted current, the electrification spread far and wide and as it widens its area number of “light posts” keeps on increasing. The elevation to the priestly ministry of our newly ordained deacons is just an example. The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) is proud of having now more or less 582 Filipino missionary brothers, priests and bishops including the newly ordained deacons, working as missionaries in the Philippines and in four corners of the world.

 

During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist of which the Rite of Ordination to the Order of Deacons took place, Most Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, DD, Bishop of Bangued and the ordaining prelate, firmly but gently addressed those to be ordained deacons in his homily saying:

“My sons, you are being raised to the order of deacons. The Lord has set an example for you to follow.

 

As deacons you will serve Jesus Christ, who was known among his disciples as the one who served others. Do the will of God generously. Serve God and mankind in love and joy. Look upon all unchastity and avarice as worship of false gods; for no man can serve two maters.

 

Like the men the apostles chose for works of charity, you should be men of good reputation, filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Show before God and mankind that you are above every suspicion of blame, true ministers of Christ and of God’s mysteries, men firmly rooted in faith. Never turn away from the hope which the Gospel offers; now you must not only listen to God’s word but also preach it.  Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. Express in action what you proclaim by word of mouth. Then the people of Christ, brought to life by the Spirit, will be an offering God accepts. Finally, on the last day, when you go to meet the Lord, you will hear him say: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

 

After the solemn celebration, our newly ordained deacons went back to Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City to finish their academic formation and to prepare for their upcoming priestly ordination which will be on December 5, 2009. Let us accompany them with our prayers that they may all persevere in their chosen vocation.

A MISSIONARY FOR 25 YEARS!!!

 

 Dear Co-missionaries,

 

Exactly a week ago, 22 October 2008 I celebrated here in Nemi, Rome, Italy the beginning of my 25^th year or Silver Anniversary as a missionary priest. While my other classmates celebrated the Thanksgiving Eucharist together with one or more classmate(s) of ours and with their loved ones and friends at home, I had mine with my “missionary companions” and community here in Nemi. The four who are with me in the picture are my Koinonia group members: On my right, Fr. James Heiar,SVD from USA, Fr. Ambrose Beck,SVD from India and on my left, Fr. Singarayar Arockiam,SVD from India and Fr. Ketut Trisnoyanto,SVD from Indonesia. As the word “koinonia” suggests, a group is assigned to do particular service to the community weekly like dish washing after meals, leading prayers, celebrating Mass and so on. 

Within the Holy Eucharist, after Holy Communion in particular, I solemnly pronounced the renewal of my Priestly and Missionary Commitment. Fr. Antonio Bon Pates, SVD, Director of the International Tertiate Renewal Course stood as a witness and received my offering on behalf of Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD, my Provincial Superior. 

 

 

In the evening, the community through Fr. Bon Pates, organized an equally memorable gathering for me. I went to bed that night with my heart filled with joy and happiness and above all thanksgiving to the Triune God for the gift of twenty five years in the priestly ministry. I also took time to thank Him for you and other people who have journeyed with me through the years with their prayers, sacrifices, support and love. I may not be able to thank you enough but God knows how grateful I am. Now that I just started a new milestone in a missionary journey I hold onto  your prayers and support so that like before we could go a long way together once again. For more pictures and information, please proceed to PAGES on PEOPLE, EVENTS, HAPPENINGS! Once again, thank you very much. God bless you.  (Fr. Emil Pati, SVD)                        

 

FILIPINO COMMUNITIES IN ROME HONOR GREAT SAINTS

Our Filipino Communities here in Rome, Italy, honor St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz on the occasions of their 100th death Anniversary and 5th year after they were proclaimed as Saints by the late, his holiness Pope John Paul II on 5 October 2003. Sunday, 5 October 2008, at 10:30 in the morning, people most of them Filipino OFWs congregated at the Main Chapel at the Collegio Verbi Divini, the SVD Generalate for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Herbert Scholz, SVD, fondly known as Fr. Bubi, presided over the Mass on behalf of Very Rev. Antonio Pernia, SVD, the Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) who was attending the just started Synod of Bishops on the Word of God here in Rome. Among the concelebrants were priests from other congregations while others were one time and are SVD missionaries to the Philippines. (Other details on Page Section) 

WELCOME TO NEMI!

On 1October, Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the patronness of Missions, our very own Most Rev. Msgr. Arturo Bastes, SVD,DD paid us (Filipinos) a visit at Nemi, Rome, Italy. He came with two other SVD Bishops, Bishop Gaspar Modiso (Congo) and Archbishop Douglas young (PNG). And of course, Fr. Herbert Scholz, SVD, a former missionary to the Philippines was the one bringing them around. Msgr. Bastes is the Local Ordinary of the Diocese of Sorsogon, beside he is the present Chairman of Episcopal Commission on Bible Apostolate of the CBCP and the President of Philippine Bible Society.                   

Standing L-R: Fr. Jose Honorio Mateo, SVD(PHS), Fr. Pio Estepa, SVD, Mission Secretary General, Fr. Tony Bon Pates, SVD, International Tertiate Renewal Course Director, Fr. Dindo Fallarme, SVD(Togo), Fr. Herbert Scholz, SVD,(Rome), Msgr. Arturo Bastes, SVD,DD(Diocese of Sorsogon), Fr. Jaimelito Gealan, SVD(PHN), Fr. Jospeh Sithu, SVD(PHC); Sitting L-R: Mrs. Marcelina Calma(Dei Verbum), Fr. Emil Pati, SVD(PHN), Mr. Joel Bugtong(Dei Verbum) and Sr. Beth, SspS.(Rome)

Right now, there are two separate courses going on at the same time here at Nemi, Rome. The 77th International Tertiate Renewal course that started on 17 August, 2008 in Steyl, Holland and will end 18th December 2008 here in Nemi, Rome. Participants are Fr. Mat for Philippines South (PHS), Fr. Joseph for Philippines Central (PHC), Fr. Heart(Nilo) and Fr. Emil for Philippines North PHN). The Dei Verbum Course started on 7 September and ends 5 December 2008, participants are Mrs. Marcelina Calma from ECBA, CBCP and Mr. Joel Bugtong from JPI Biblical Center, Vigan City, Northern Luzon.

“PRECIOUS IS THE LIFE GIVEN FOR MISSION”

WELCOME TO THE NEW SVD PHN MISSION ONLINE