Called to Cast Fire
“Summoned by the love of God manifested in Jesus Christ and celebrated in the Eucharist, I intend to respond to God’s gift with the gift of myself…” ( SSS ROL, 102).
When God calls, that is beyond human capacity and limitation. Every call offers relationship and entails participation. It was God’s initiative to call. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you” ( Jn 15:16). When the call has received and recognized, it creates an aperture that has become a converging point between God and the one whom he has called. The call of God comes even at the most unexpected and unprepared situation. Through life’s varied events and circumstances, God journeys with the one whom he calls to where He leads that one to be. The one being called is confronted by such capacity and worthiness to respond. Thus, God’s call leads to relationship imbued with trust, fidelity, and commitment.
This fast-pacing world has so much to offer. When I made a decision to pursue a vocation in Religious Life, I knew it was a radical turning point in my life. I have to give up my career, to live away from home, and to succumb myself to seminary formation. The rhythm of formation helps me to see my wounded self, to recognize my brokenness, and to follow Christ through his paschal mystery. “Whoever wishes to come after me must dent himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mat 16:24). What consoling along the path of following Christ is that, God’s grace sustains me. When the sky is falling and the light looses its warmth and unwitting, God’s grace brightens up my day. When I find myself delving over dryness and doubts, God’s grace brings me to the right path. I made all this possible not because of my own efforts and perseverance. All this made possible because of God’s
grace. I remain grateful for everything is grace!
My consecration to Religious Life is indeed a gift. I could not help but be grateful to God for the gift of vocation. My Perpetual Profession is a manifestation of God’s unfading and undoubting love in my life. God loves me and my consecration to him is my humble response to his love. The love of God impels me to embrace and love the life that is consecrated to him and to the Church. “By our profession of Religious Life we respond to the call of the Lord who invites us to leave all things to follow him, and we publicly commit ourselves within the Church to live in chastity, poverty, and obedience” ( SSS ROL, 15).
Called to cast fire is to bear in mind the vision of St. Peter Julian Eymard to set the world ablaze with Eucharistic fire. Indeed, the Eucharist is where my heart belongs. The Eucharist is my everything in giving my gift of self to the Church and to the congregation. It is indeed with humility and honor to cast the Eucharistic fire to the world “to respond to the hungers of the human family with the riches of God’s love manifested in the Eucharist” (SSS ROL, 3). May His Eucharistic Kingdom Come!. (Br. Throy M. Fuentebella, SSS)
1st Regional Assembly 2019
FILIPINO MARTYRS REGION – SERVITIUM CHRISTI, PHILIPPINES
It was on May 21, 2019 that the proposal to establish the Philippines as a Region was unanimously approved by the General Assembly pursuant to Rule 33 of our Rule of Life.
As a consequence of this Approval, the members of Servitium Christi Philippines (Davao and Manila Centers) gathered on August 24-28, 2019 for the 1st Regional Assembly.
The Assembly days were opportunities for lively sharing of life experiences, mutual support and encouragement from among the members. It was for us a new beginning, a source of inspiration, a learning experience and an opportunity to commune with one another as we move forward in our journey together.
Indeed, we are so grateful to our Eucharistic Lord for this wonderful and historic occasion of the 1st Regional Assembly of Servitium Christi.
We are also thankful for our new leadership Team, composed of the following:
Maria Concepcion “Connie” Gonzales – Regional Directress
Lourdes “Lour” Velasco – Asst. Regional Directress
Milagros “Mila” Orticio – Regional Treasurer
Virginia “Virgie” Boltron – Substitute Member
We are also thankful for our approved Plan of Action for the coming six years and for the Devotional Commitment of our two (2) new members, Juliana “Neneng” Juatcon and Sotera “Terie” Roque.
I am also thankful to all the members, for the concerted efforts and relentless support for the Centers’ endeavours, for their active and lively participation and most of all, for their Gift of Self.
As we continue our journey together, we live in confidence that the Lord of the Eucharist lives within and through us.
May the Lord of the Eucharist, to Whom we have committed our lives, be with us to strengthen, enlighten, encourage and guide us in our journey as consecrated persons. (Maria Concepcion De Castro Gonzales, Filipino Martyrs Region, Servitium Christi, Philippines)