Christmas Greetings
Emmanuel!
We are again in this joyous festivity of our Lord’s birth. Praise and thanks we all owe to God who is faithful in loving us through all these years. The birth of Christ is proof beyond all else of God’s desire to dwell among us, to bless us, to guide us and to save us.
In our congregation’s tradition of Eucharistic adoration, we express foremost our faith in that first Christmas, when the Son of God took flesh, and perpetuated His real presence among us, through that Sacred Bread which gathers the faithful in communion with God. Daily when we kneel before the Lord in adoration, we echo that ancient hymn of Christmas: “Venite adoremus, Domine” (Come let us adore the Lord).
It is my prayer and hope, that in the Eucharist where we draw daily our sanctification, we may all be blessed with renewed fidelity and strength in communion, participation and mission – all for love of God through the Church. Let joy and gratitude fill our prayers this Christmas and may our well wishes for one another be our best gifts for everyone. Have a truly Merry Christmas and blessed New Year to one and all!
FR. ROEL L. DELA CRUZ, SSS
Provincial Superior
Last October 17-22, 2022, the delegates of the 9th POLA Chapter convened to appraise, deepen and discern new directions to keep the Congregation’s life and mission relevant to current Church’s needs, particularly in the Philippine setting. The thoughts of the chapter drew its whole inspiration both from the message of the 35th General Chapter and the Holy Father’s universal call to a Synodal Church (communion, participation and mission). The province is very grateful to Father General Eugenio Barbosa Martins, sss and Fr. Philip Benzy (General Consultor/Treasurer) who efforted much to be present in the whole course of the provincial chapter proceedings. Their presence did not simply delight the capitulars but affirmed as well their warm commitment to journey in faith and charity with the Filipino Sacramentinos. The six-day chapter culminated with the Solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Sofronio Bancud, SSS, D.D., bishop of Cabanatuan.
The 9th POLA Chapter
THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
(from left to right) Fr. Rudsend Paragas, SSS (Consultor on Apostolate); Fr. Alde Bureros, SSS (Consultor on Finance/Provincial Treasurer); Fr. Apolinario Ty, SSS (Consultor on Mission & International Collaboration); Fr. Roel dela Cruz, SSS (Provincial Superior); Fr. Vergel Dalangin, SSS (Consultor on Formation); Fr. Jonelito Sison, SSS (Consultor on Lifestyle)
THE 9TH POLA CHAPTER OPENING ADDRESS
The Most Rev. Father Eugenio Barbosa Martins, SSS our General Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Philip Benzy, SSS – member of the General Council and General Treasurer, my dear brother Capitulars and the team of the Secretariat – I greet you all with warmth and joy as I welcome you to the 9th Provincial Chapter of the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption – Philippines.
The turns of events that came through the past years since the conclusion of the 8th POLA Chapter are all a constant testimony to God’s unfailing love. We persevered much in our working together as a Province in line with our set of vision and mission. Admittedly, not every single goal in it counted success. But none of these shall we call a failed endeavor, especially those confronted by limiting conditions. I know and I appreciate that there are no little efforts you contributed in support to the life of our mission, apostolate, projects and not to mention efforts in the animation of fraternal joy in each local community. Never we were perfect in many things, but I know we will never get tired giving the best of ourselves for the love of God through the Congregation. This is our humble commitment to the ideal of the gift of self which none has ever championed except the saint who founded us in love: St. Peter Julian Eymard.
Our many aspirations in view to fulfilling our vision and mission as a province had to slow down necessarily in the face of the unforeseen coming of the pandemic. We only did as much to care for one another in our humble yet sincerest possible ways of expressing reassurances. This was our downmost moment, but the witnessing of fraternal charity indeed flourished in our communities. The blessing in fact is that it recreated our time to listen to one another, to adore and to pray together, and to live one day at a time. There are no accidents in God’s plan. The pandemic just showed us that what seemed to be a suffering of the human society is the unfolding of greater blessings and opportunities to better ourselves, our communities and the world.
As a society and as a Church, we have witnessed likewise as a nation, the brave choice and decision of the Filipino people to reinvent the political landscape, by favoring the return of a leader whose father was portrayed in history to have antagonized the Philippine democracy. An overwhelming majority preferred to support his campaign for nation-building that resonated through his massive call for unity against the narrative of the classical oppositions who enjoyed overplaying political mudslinging. This historic come-back of the son of a deposed leader is concluded by many to be a translation of the people’s attraction to the sentiments of longing for unity – something akin to the goal of nation building. We on our part as members of the congregation, particularly in the Philippines, our best share is to 5 move on from any political fixations and act accordingly as both responsible citizens and prudent evangelizers of truth and charity. From our end, we shall not fail to support fully the promotion of justice and peace, and to promptly denounce anything that will compromise the principles and practices of a just and humane society.
Bringing to mind all these realizations, now here we are at present. We have come to this favored time in our life as a province to gather ourselves for the 9th POLA Chapter. Above everything in this significant event of the province must be our profoundest gratitude to God. I am sure that much of our discernment and realizations in this chapter will flow directly from the many challenges drawn from the effects of the pandemic and all issues recently affecting the affairs of the province. Certainly, we will find the center of our conscious effort anchored from our faith with God, hope in God and love for God.
We are moving on and not starting from scratch. Our Province is sailing attuned to the message of the 35th General Chapter whose inspiration shall continue to guide the direction and aspiration of this 9th POLA Chapter. In this time of great undertaking as a province, of course, we are not reconstructing our Founder’s “gift of self” – we are rather called to explore its richest expressions relevant to the changing needs of our time. This gift of self must be the gospel itself that is preached by the witness of our lives, particularly in the field of our mission. Timely as well, that we align our discernments, plans and decisions in this chapter to that resounding call of the Holy Father Francis for a Synodal Church expressed through Communion, Participation and Mission. It is coming from this theme of Synodality that the hierarchy in the Church is called to enter into a close accompaniment and dialogue with the life of faith of the lay men and women. This is exactly the same call for the province to rethink, to revive and to rekindle the involvement of lay partners and collaborators in the propagation of the life, mission and spirituality of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. More than acknowledging them as partners, we have to get them through their heart by letting them identify themselves with us in the happy bond of the Eymardian family. It is one way of our expression of creative fidelity to our founder’s longing to set the world ablaze with the Eucharistic fire.
I do not wish to get much of your time. But allow me simply to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of you, for the trust you gave me as the First Servant of the province. I do recognize that you have blessed me so much with your support. This is my way to always remind you that there is nothing I have accomplished on my own. Each one of you matters so much in the life of the province. Special thanks to the members of the POLA Council for your personal warmth, sincere cooperation and generous availability in the service of the province. Fr. General and Fr. Philip Benzy, we cannot thank you enough for making time to grace our chapter with your presence.
This day and throughout the succeeding sessions of the chapter, we invoke the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the inspiration of our holy founder, St. Peter Julian Eymard. In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and our Eucharist, we entrust all our cares. Once more, I greet you all good day and welcome to the 9th POLA Chapter.
POLA VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT 2022-2026
By 2026,
we aim to intensively live
the mystery of the Eucharist
by translating it into the diverse ministries
of our Eucharistic vocation in the spirit of
communion, participation and mission in the Church
MISSION STATEMENT 2022-2026
With the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, and Saint Peter Julian Eymard, we are journeying together as a synodal church, witnesses of Our Risen Lord:
in communion, through living fraternally our Gift of Self in all the aspects of our Eucharistic charism;
in participation through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in spirit and in truth;
and in mission through serving prophetically the poor and the suffering, in collaboration with the whole Eymardian family.
As a new chapter of POLA’s journey unfolds, new ministerial assignments also begin to take place. This is part of the province’s aspiration to take new paths in view to fulfilling the Vision-Mission that is set for the next four years. The Congregation’s involvement into parish administrations from different dioceses/archdioceses here and abroad is one among effective ways in sharing the life and charism of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Through parishes, the congregation cooperates with existing pastoral programs of the diocese while integrating within the parish programs the formation of lay men and women to become first of all adorers of the Blessed Sacrament and eventually to become members of the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Hence, the work of every parish priest is of great consideration in discerning new assignments of the Filipino Sacramentinos.
Very recently, three Sacramentinos were installed to the office of Parish Priest in different archdioceses here in the Philippines. On December 5, 2022 – Rev. Fr. Wilbert “Bobit” Laroga, SSS was installed as Parish Priest in the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro by His Excellency Most Rev. Jose A. Cabantan, D.D. On December 11, 2022 – Rev. Fr. Nelson Roque, SSS was installed as Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Mapandan, Pangasinan, Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan, by His Excellency Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D. And on December 14, 2022 – Rev. Fr. Hermogenes Garcia, SSS was installed as Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish, in Panal Tabaco City, Diocese of Legazpi, by Rev. Fr. Eduardo Ramin, Jr., Vicar Forane.
Congratulations and sincerest well wishes to our newlyinstalled Parish Priests!
Congratulations!
MOST REV. SOFRONIO A. BANCUD, SSS, D.D.
GOLDEN JUBILEE OF RELIGIOUS PROFESSION
On December 9, 2022 the Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud SSS, D.D., celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Religious Profession. It was a double-jubilee in that Holy Sacrifice of the Mass he presided in Santa Cruz Church, Manila, in remembrance of the 60th (Diamond Jubilee) Canonization Anniversary of St. Peter Julian Eymard, and in praise and gratitude to God for his Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession.
60th Canonization Anniversary of St. Peter Julian Eymard
Throughout his life, Peter Julian Eymard was acknowledged by many of his contemporaries as a holy person. When he died in 1868, his followers immediately began to hail him as ‘saint’. They were confident that, from the moment of his death, Eymard would be sharing in eternal life with God in heaven.
Peter Julian Eymard’s path to canonization within century of his death was relatively rapid by the standards of the Church. In the mid-1880s, Fr. Edmund Tenaillon, SSS was appointed the first ‘postulator’ of Eymard’s cause (or case) for sainthood. Diocesan tribunals began gathering evidence about Eymard’s life. By 1902, thirteen volumes of testimony had been sent to Rome. After consideration by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, Eymard’s cause was accepted in 1908 by Pope Pius X, who declared Eymard ‘Venerable’.
By 1922, Eymard’s virtues had been investigated and accepted as ‘genuinely heroic’ by the Sacred Congregation of Rites. After investigation and acceptance of the 1916 and 1919 cures as miracles due to Eymard’s intercession, Pope Pius XI beatified Peter Julian Eymard on 12 July 1925. The title ‘Blessed’ was bestowed on Eymard at the time.
Eymard’s canonization was scheduled at the end of the first session of the Second Vatican Council on 9 December 1962. As a result, about sixty cardinals and two thousand bishops were present for the three-hour ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Decree of Canonization read by Pope John XXIII in 1962 determined that Eymard’s feast day was to be celebrated in the Catholic Church on 1 August (the date of Eymard’s death). Before the canonization, the feast had been celebrated on 3 August. The date was changed again in 1995, when Pope John Paul II declared that Eymard’s feast day was to be inserted in the General Roman Calendar and celebrated each year on 2 August. In 1997, the liturgical feast of St. Peter Julian Eymard was included in the General Calendar of the Church.
RITE OF INSTALLATION TO THE MINISTRY OF ACOLYTES
It is the duty of every Acolyte to assist the priests and deacons in the liturgical celebration, especially in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. On December 11, 2022, four scholastics (Br. Androu S. David, sss; Br. Rmanus Bodi Ng’wena, sss; Br. Lawrence Kazosi, sss; and Br. Gidio Bwambale, sss) were installed to the Ministry of Acolytes by Rev. Fr. Rudsend Paragas, SSS (Vicar Provincial) at the Chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eymard Formation House in New Manila, Quezon City.
