Somascan Fathers Philippines

2010-07-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

Order of the Clerics Regular of Somasca

Southeast Asia Vice-Province
Mother Of Orphans

Very Rev. Fr. Gabriele Scotti,crs
Major Superior
St. Jerome House
Commerce Ave., Ayala Alabang,

Muntinlupa City, Philippines

Tel. no. (02) 8422366/8424947

WITH STEPS OF HOPE

(written in the year 2000)

The Somascan community in the Philippines has reached the age of 20 years. It is the age of youth. It is a season of dreams and hopes. It is a season in life of expectancy of the future. It was said that no other Somascan undertaking had a beginning more accurately studied and prepared than the Philippine Foundation. Let us take notice of this, without forgetting that "man purposes but God disposes" and sometimes God in his providence disposes things not according to our most accurate plans: his interventions oftentimes take us by surprise and are, therefore, surprising. It is he who traces the path to go: a path we have not planned, moreover, a path that always includes the regia via cruciswith a constant slope up.Are these things obvious ? Yes, at least in words; but when the evangelical obviousness becomes history, then it is suitable to recall the difficulties, sacrifices, setbacks and disappointments experienced by the pioneers who generously made themselves available for this work of Christ.It is, therefore, an act of Christian and brotherly charity to acknowledge the struggle and commitment of many Pauls who planted and the many Apollos who watered, although our overall thankfulness goes to the Lord who gives growth.One sure fact is that if some fruits are ripening it is because of the foundation, the root is Christ. The analogy of the buildings put up through the personal contributions of many persons using a variety of materials (ranging from the most precious to those less valuable and resistant) can also be recognized in the Philippine Somascan reality. The fire test is at the same time a verification and a guarantee of salvation(cf. 1 Cor.3:4-20). When you eat a fruit, think of the one who planted the tree says a proverb dictated by the Oriental wisdom. For this reason we want to give thanks, first of all, to the Master of the vineyard who spreads the seeds with a generous hand and cultivates every new shoot with love. Our gratitude, however, intends to reach also all those laborers sent to his vineyard at different hours throughout the 20-year-long day. We are sure that the generosity of the recompense will overflow from the infinitely bountiful heart of the Father. And there was evening and there was morning: another day rises, during which the Lord will continue to work his wonders, also through our collaboration. These are the works of Christ,in which our Founder exhorts us to persevere with a heart full of love. Only by following the way of the Crucified, loving one another with fraternal charity and serving the poor, the Somascan community in thePhilippines will walk with steps of hope along the new Millenium.

Fr. Gabriele Scotti, crs.
Major Superior

St. Jerome Emiliani School Of the Somascan Fathers Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines

2009-08-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

St. Jerome Emiliani School Of the Somascan Fathers

Roosevelt, Dinalupihan, Bataan

A year after the parish dedicated to St. Jerome was erected, in the same venue, a school for the young people of Bataan was built. It caters for the Christian catholic academic formation of the youth. The school boasts its low tuition fee which is very much affordable for the low income families in the area. It has complete facilities to provide quality education and convenience to the young students. It is directly run by the Somascan Fathers under the directorship of Fr. John V. Carino, CRS, with the help of four pioneering volunteer teachers.

St Jerome Emiliani Parish, Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines

2009-08-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

St Jerome Emiliani Parish

Roosevelt, Dinalupihan Bataan

By the invitation of the Diocese of Balanga through his excellency Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, the Somascan Fathers extends their presence in the people of Bataan. Here in Roosevelt, Dinalupihan, a parish was erected in 2005 under the protection and prayers of our Father and founder St. Jerome Emiliani.

Fr. Thomas Baldwin Villanueva is tasked to be its first pastor with the assitance of our Liturgy expert Fr. Miguel Lobo.

Casa Miani Arvedi-Buschini/ Somascan Formation House, Brgy Cadulawan, Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines

2009-07-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

The newly built house of the Order here in Cebu is catering for the welfare of the abandoned and orphaned boys in the area. And at the same a building for the formation of the young people who aspires to become apostles to these less fortunate children is also located. Fr. Luigi Brenna in his 10th year in the Philippines becomes its first superior. Fr. Menandro Rivera is with him to help in the formation of the seminarians. The service of the brothers most especially of Bro. Kiko Lamo,crs is very much appreciated. The other religious assigned in this new house which was just inaugurated early this year are Rev. Ronald Badillo, and Bros. Narciso Tiburcio, and Michael Iglesia.

Casa Miani - Arvedi (Dumaguete City)

2008-02-17T07:20:00.001-08:00

CASA MIANI-ARVEDI

Talay, P.O. Box 151 DUMAGUETE CITY

tel. no. (035)420-7520

arveditalay@yahoo.com

Through the generosity of the Arvedi Family and the many benefactors abroad, the first expansion of the Somascan Fathers in the Visayas was realized in 2001 by building this home for boys which takes care of the needy children in the region.

The religious present here serving the Visayan people are Bro. Lamberto Timbol,crs, delegate superior; Fr. John Valenzuela,crs; Rev. Enrico Balderama,crs; and Bro. Hermie Juarez, practicum.

Somascan Foundation in Indonesia

2008-02-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

Selamat Datang... Welcome to Ruteng!

by Fr. Javier San Jose,crs

These were greetings of the Sisters and aspirants of the DVMI community who welcomed us in the domestic airport of the city of Ruteng, Island of Flores. They immediately offered manggarai hats for us fittingly worn by tourists.
Selamat Datang, Fathers... Are you a new congregation? Our Bishop is looking for a new congregation to take charge of a new parish near Borong. Romo (diocesan priest) Beni gushed forth these words upon knowing that we were religious priests visiting Indonesia for the first time, and unknowingly, we are together in plane from Bali to Ruteng. He invited us to go and visit his parish in Borong.
What a divine plan! What a coincidence! Right there and then, God really worked for us, leading us the way!
Ruteng became the door for us to enter Indonesia... and Ruteng eventually welcomed us with open arms and cheerfulness!
Fr. Grato and I arrived in Ruteng on August 29, 2006 after spending the night in Bali. It was rather sunny midday, very cool and fresh. We stayed during the nights to sleep at the Monfortan Novitiate and had some interesting conversations with Pater (religious priest) Dwi, the superior of the community and with other postulants and novices. During the day we were with the DVMI sisters dividing their time and turn to room us around. The DVMI sisters were very accommodating, rather showing us an extraordinary Filipino hospitality, for they are Filipino missionary sisters in Ruteng. Immediately, they arranged our itinerary, encouraging us to experience the life in Ruteng or in the kampong (countryside) with many stories about the local people, their customs, religiosity, the language, the many vocations for the priesthood and religious life; their activities, apostolate, formation and the more than fifty congregations in Ruteng and still counting! We came to visit their convent in Sita, still under construction, 21 km from Ruteng, where they use to spend the weekends helping the parish for catechesis and bringing communion to the people in the barrios. We had visited some of the formation houses, and found out a very encouraging result: vocation to priesthood and religious life is plentiful. We were able to witness this when we visited the minor seminary in Kisol, 66 km from Ruteng, with 415 minor seminarian. Every convent of sisters we visited, there were more tan 15 to 20 aspirants or postulants or novices.
The population of Ruteng is 90% catholic, very religious. They go to mass every Sunday with the whole family, meaning, with the father, mother and children with their best attire. They prefer to attend mass very early, say, 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. and really the church was filled with these simple parishioners.
The language is quite easy to learn at least for me because of its familiarity with some Filipino dialects. We are indeed neighbours, sharing some similarities and peculiarities with language and dialects. Filipino missionaries in Ruteng could speak Bahasa Indonesia for just a matter of some months. (Buka, pintu, mukha, dingding, makan, mahal, mura, datang, laut etc.)
We were not able to meet the Bishop of Ruteng and give him the endorsement from our Major Superior, because of his absence from the Diocese. Fortunately, we were able to meet and talk with his alter ego, the vicar general of the Diocese, Romo Alfons, who is very gentle, accommodating and always smiling. He stayed in the Philippines quite sometimes with the SVDs. He told us that Bishop is not refusing permit to any congregation to establish in Ruteng. He actually welcomes them. And how about us? He smiled widely, and said Yes, just wait for the response of the Bishop. "Very very can be", according to Romo Beni, as he quoted the bishop when he called him informing our presence and offering us a parish.

We visited Borong, a coastal town, that according to Romo Beni will become a city by next year, that is the reason why the Bishop is creating new parishes within the area. It is 51 km from Ruteng, passing through a forest where monkeys were just on the road. The parish priest is Romo Beni, whom we met at the Denpasar airport in Bali. He immediately invited us to visit his place and accept to take charge of the new parish. The seat of the new parish is in Jawang, in between Sita and Borong. The elders of the tribe had invested us already with "manggarai hats", signaling their acceptance to us, welcoming us as one of the elders. They were thinking that we were there already to start the parish! We were not allowed to go directly to the chapel but instead to go to the house of the chieftain and observe the traditional welcome ceremony. The chapel is dilapidated, small and old already. The place was very rustic, rural and poor. Most of the inhabitants are poor and impoverished farmers. Indeed, this would be a real missionary parish!
Where could we stay? From the suggestion of the vicar general, Romo Alfons, we could rent a house for the meantime, at least to have a place for some religious to stay and learn the language and many things, put up a formation house later and establish an apostolate outside Ruteng to help the needs of the diocese, meaning, a formation house, a parish, an apostolate center, etc.
We came to visit a house in Ruteng, just near the house where the DVMI sisters are renting a house, too. We were so excited and enthusiastic about it that Fr. Grato and I wanted to stay there and start already to fix the house. Exactly, the house is for rent and we could stay there as soon as we want to start our mission in Ruteng and eventually spread to some parts of Indonesia.
To sum up our unforgettable and exciting exploration in Indonesia, in Ruteng particularly, Fr. Grato exclaimed before leaving Ruteng: "We could have visited and started in this place ten years ago!" Hence, now is the time, a good opportune time to start the Somascan presence in Indonesia, and spread the charism of St. Jerome Emiliani. Now or never!

SELEMAT DATANG DI INDONESIA ORDO IMAM DAN BRUDER SOMASCAN!

St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana Parish, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines

2008-02-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

A Parish Rises Out Of The Ruins...

In 1981, Mrs. Josephine Madrigal Bayot offered the Somascan Fathers two homes inside the New Alabang Village (as Ayala Alabang Village was then known) for their temporary use. The Madrigals also had an old family chapel dedicated to Sta. Susana in their vast mango orchard. With the cooperation of Mr. Enrique Zobel and Mr. Adolfo Duarte, Ayala Corporation tore down the Madrigal chapel and built a new church, which became the seat of the St. Jerome and Sta. Susana Parish.
On 4 February 1983, Jaime Cardinal Sin blessed the St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana Parish and installed Rev. Fr. Cesare De Santis, crs, as the first parish priest, who was assisted by Rev. Giovanni Tarditi and Rev. Valerio Fenoglio. Thus was established the first Somascan parochial church in Far East Asia.
The parish, at that time, included the following areas: New Alabang Village,the areas west of the South Expressway, areas south of the Alabang Zapote Road, namely, Stockfarm, Madrigal Hills, Madrigal Estate, and the Serum Vaccine Laboratory (SVL).
The disparity among the residents of the three areas was glaring, so the Fathers tried to find a way of bringing them together through the Holy Bible. Efforts were made to purchase thousands of copies of the bible in English and Tagalog. Sunday classes were organized for children, youth, and adults; catechists themselves, while preparing for their lessons,became acquainted with scriptural passages; people became familiar with the Psalms when they had to recite the Lauds before each morning Mass. This movement to get people closer to the Bible (and to each other) reached its high point during the Bible celebration in the parish on August 25-27, 1989, when conferences were organized on the theme Our Journey of Faith in Union with the Disciples of Emmaus. The parochial library was enriched with patristic books, famous modern writers on the Bible, and with 400 volumes of the Sources Chetiennes, a prestigious collection of the writings of the Fathers of the Church.
To supplement the spiritual benefits brought by the Bible, the Fathers gave immediate attention to the material needs of the less fortunate sector of the Parish. The Parish Office became an employment office. Many families found jobs within Ayala Alabang Village and even abroad.
Environmental conditions in Sitio Masagana were improved when the parish initiated moves for the paving of the sitio's main roads, for a regular collection of garbage, and for obtaining a collection with the water system of the Village. Potable water became available to every family through underground pipe system and fountains. Thus, intestinal diseases diminished radically, according to local doctors.
Different activities were organized to meet the needs of the various groups of the parish. Remedial classes in English, Math, and Tagalog were conducted to help the children of Sitio Masagana. Religious instruction for domestic helpers was organized by dedicated parishioners every Sunday morning. A skills-training program for women was started when the Parish established a sewing center in Sitio Masagana.
In 1990, the rectory, the Parish offices, the living quarters, and the St. Jerome Hall in the basement were built. After the blessing by the Most Reverend Gabriel Reyes, the Fathers moved from the temporary Apitong home provided by the Madrigal family. In 1991, canopies were added to the three entrances of the Church. In 1993, the crypt was dug out to accommodate 130 tombs and 200 niches. Diring this time, parishioners initiated a fund campaign to provide bells for the church. In August 1994, a set of eight electronically-controlled bells from Milan, Italy were installed. A few months later, new hand-carved pulpits were installed along each side of the altar. The years 1995 to 1996 saw beautiful stained glass windows adding color and artistry to the quaint church.

On June 15, 1990, Jaime Cardinal Sin divided the parochial territory into two parishes. The whole Ayala Alabang Village became the new Parish of St. James the Great under the guidance of the diocesan clergy.
On March 15, 1998, the Cardinal reshaped the boundaries of our parish by trans ferring Alabang Stock Farm, Serum Vaccine Laboratory (SVL), and the RITM to the San Roque Parish.
At present, the St. Jerome Parish is composed of the following areas: Tierra Nueva, Elsie Gaches Village, San Jose Subdivision, Purok13, Marillac, New Haven Institutions, St. Jerome Village (also known as Bliss or Filinvest Socialized Housing, Where the residents of Alabang Stock Farm were relocated), and Sitio Masagana.
On February 14, 1999, Rev. Fr. Grato Germanetto was installed as parish priest to replace Fr. Cesare, who served the parish for 16 years.
From that little church in the middle of nowhere some 20 years ago, St Jerome church has become the center of the spiritual life of many residents, of countless passers by, and of regular office workers. This beautiful church is becoming too small for the growing community of Alabang. It would be a dream come true if some day we were able to expand it!

The Faces of the Parish

For 10 years already, the parish is under the paternal care of Fr. Grato Germanetto,crs and is helped by Fr. Domingo Batac, Jr., crs, Fr. Francisco Cabrera,crs and Fr. Gabriele Scotti,crs.

Our Address:
Commerce Ave., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1702 MM, Philippines
Tel.no. (02) 842-49-47
crsalabang@somascos.org

Casa Miani - San Jose ( Alabang)

2008-02-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

Casa Miani - St. Joseph

On June 13, 1999, under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph and St. Jerome Emiliani, a new and small religious community of the Somascan Fathers opened its activity. The new establishment, named St. Joseph House, is located in San Jose Village, Alabang, in the territory of the Somascan Parish of St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Susana.
Its purpose is to welcome late vocations to religious life and seminarians from the Somascan Minor Seminary in Lubao for their last stage before the novitiate, the postulancy.
As good sons of St. Jerome Emiliani, we opened this house also to a small group of needy children who made cheerful and blessed our community since the first day of their presence. They can find a home and breathe a serene family atmosphere in which they are cared in all their needs so to grow as good Christian citizens.

Religious assigned here are Fr. Romel Ermita, delegate superior; Fr. Marcelino Tiongson, director of the postulants; Bro. Prudy Tria, practicum.

Casa Miani - Sto. Nino (Pampanga)

2008-02-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Casa Miani - Sto. Niño,

Sto.Nino,Lubao, Pampanga,Philippines

Casa Miani- Sto. Niño, home for boys gets its denomination from St. Jerome Emiliani, founder of the Somascan Fathers.
Casa Miani, as a branch of the Casa Miani Somascan Fathers Foundation Inc. started its operation in 1995 when two boys were entrusted to us by the Somascan Sisters. Immediately after, the Director, Fr. Luigi Brenna was pressed by Munting Tahanan in Balanga to accept four street teenagers, who were giving quite few problems.
This group constituted the first nucleus to which we direct our efforts. The boys were fostered in a building in the Somascan Seminary compound appropriately adapted for this purpose.
After three years of its establishment, the number of the Casa Miani boys increased.

Religious values are offered to the boys with the purpose of giving them a deeper meaning in their life.
Honestly, truth, sincerity, respect of others and their opinions, knowledge of social rules and roles, sense of responsibility, spirit of sacrifice and continuous tension towards improvement, are the basis for a constructive relationship and openness towards others.
We aim to bring the boys to a realistic knowledge of themselves and to foster a positive attitude in facing difficulties and conflicts without anxieties.
After the example of St. Jerome, we foster an integral formation of the person through an environment characterized by a family atmosphere, by a reciprocal Christian respect, and by a particular attention to the needs and qualities of each child.
We promote the physical health of needy children, developing their moral, human, Christian growth in order to prepare them to facet their life in peace with themselves and social world.

At present, the Fathers to whom the legacy of St. Jerome is entrusted are Fr. Michael Escoto,crs, Director, Fr. Santiago Santy Gonzales,crs, and Bro. Serafin Kare,crs.

Casa Miani - Augusta and Piera (Sorsogon City)

2008-02-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

You Did It For Me
Casa Miani Augusta and Piera
by Fr. Abe Arganiosa

Casa Miani is a home for poor children without serious physical or psychological handicaps, who because of the loss of their parents or other pitiful circumstances, are deprived of physical and educational cares and so hindered in their complete and harmonious development.
This foundation was made possible through the generosity of the late Msgr. Arnulfo Arcilla, Bishop of Emeritus of Sorsogon, who donated the land in 1998 for this purpose and for a school site. The funds for the construction came from the family of Mr. Giovanni Arvedi, an alumnus of the Somascan Fathers in Collegio Gallio of Como, Italy. Imbued with values of love for the poor by the Somascan educators, he and his wife Luciana are trying their best to give abandoned children an opportunity to live a decent life.
Now the sponsors and benefactors with the help committed volunteers enable the Somascan Fathers to take care of the children from their elementary to college education, according to their talents and abilities. These benefactors are part of Friends of Casa Miani, an association open to all who are willing to share the spirit of St. Jerome Emiliani, Father of Orphans and Universal Patron of Needy Youth.
Our Friends of Casa Miani in Italy, coordinated by Fr. Adalberto Papini, are saving parts of their income to support on a regular basis the tuition fees as well as the daily needs of the boys. Moreover, the great majorityof the house appliances and materials came from their generosity. Here in the Philippines help is also coming in from some good hearted faithful of St. Jerome Emiliani Parish of Ayala Alabang Village. Among them is Mr. Myron Papa who provided the amount for the sports equipment in Casa Miani. The people of Sorsogon on the other hand constitute the Foster Parents Association under the leadership of Mrs. Consuelo Duran Young. This group is composed of families which provide a home for our orphaned or totally abandoned boys, during vacation time.
On December 21, 1995, Casa Miani was canonically constituted as a religious residence. The Consulta of 1998 established Casa Miani as a religious house, pleno iure.
On April 1, 1996, activities begun. On February 15, 1997, the house was officially opened with Fr. Grato Germanetto as the first religious superior and foundation director. The same day, the house was blessed by Msgr. Monje, the vicar general of the diocese, representing the Most Rev. Jesus Y. Varela, Bishop of Sorsogon. The blessing and the official opening were made meaningful by the presence of Mr.and Mrs. Giovanni and Luciana Arvedi.

Two years later on August 26, 1999, Casa Miani received the license to operate from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Under the guidance of the new director Casa Miani has established a wider and deeper level of cooperation with the social welfare agencies in the surrounding areas and became an active member of Binderango, the associations of non- governmental organizations for the entire Bicol Region and Masbate. For 9 years, Casa Miani was administered by Fr. Luigi Brenna, with the help of some Somascan religious namely, Fr. Abe Arganiosa, Bros. Romel Ermita, and Joseph Don Castro. They were helped by Ms. Irene Miranda, the Foundation's social worker and three other employees.

At present this institution in under the new and creative Somascan religious, Fr. Javier San Jose. He becomes now the 3rd superior and director of the house. He is helped by our multi-talented young priest Fr. Joseph Don Castro and by our Bros in practicum namely, Anastacio Llantos, Ruel Lasay, and Dexter Fernandez.

Aemilianum College - Sorsogon City

2008-02-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

New Horizon, The Youth
Aemilianum College,Sorsogon City
by Fr. Riccardo Germanetto

The A.I. of Sorsogon was called Sts. Peter and Paul Technical Institute when the Somascan Fathers took it over from the Diocese of Sorsogon. It was the school year 1985-86 . The first Somascan religious to settle in the school was Fr. Valerio Fenoglio in April 1985; in June of the same year he was joined by Fr. Giovanni Tarditi. They were warmly welcomed by the Bishop, Jesus Y. Varella and the clergy of Sorsogon as well as by the Educational Institutions of Sorsogon Province. The name St. Jerome Emiliani and the Somascan Fathers spread very fast in the Diocese thanks to the well known apostolic, missionary spirit of Fr. Valerio and Fr. Tarditi. In the school they emphasized the celebrations of Mary Mother of Orphans in September and St. Jerome in February. Meanwhile the Major Superiors assigned Fr. Grato Germanetto to the community of Sorsogon when he arrived on April 18, 1986. Few weeks later, May 3, Fr. Tarditi left for Lubao, Pampanga. Fr. Grato was appointed Dean of College. In those days, they were offering only High School and General Radio Comunication (GRCO). For the school year 1986-87 they were expecting to offer also Automotive and Practical Electricity. The facilities were very poor. On September15, 1987, Fr. Ernesto Rusconi became a member of the Community and was appointed Financial Officer of the school. Fr. Ernesto was keen on the practical sides of Administraton and was assigned to Sorsogon in view of the rehabilitation projects already proposed by the Community. The buildings needed repair, but it became a question of life and death just two months later, November. The school administration was dealing with an unpleasant labor problem caused by some teachers who, without any previous signs of dissatisfaction for their employment nor any communication with the administration, requested the Department of Labor and Employment to investigate the school for alleged irregularities. It was November 25, 1987, when the destructive Typhoon Sisang started howling and roaring at 260 Km per hour while the sea, already brimming over, was refusing to receive the downpour of rain from the dark sky. During the night, all the roofs were lifted in the sky and thrown far away, leaving the classrooms and the offices under torrential rains.

At the sight of the collapsing A.I., the teachers dropped their complaint and rolled up their sleeves. Particularly dramatic was the situation of the library and the offices. Mrs. Fabiosa Tan, now at the Provincial Library, is often reminding us the extra long hours in the library trying to rescue the flooded books.
Caught in the dilemma of a drastic decision between rehabilitation or closure, our Superiors had the courage to choose rehabilitation. The whole Somascan Congregation from all over the world joined hands with the community of Sorsogon and the rehabilitation, or better called reconstruction, started. Fr. Ernesto was given the great task of supervising the works.
The reconstruction of the buildings was going on, thanks also to donations from Propaganda Fide, Misere or (from Germany), the SVD Generalate and friends. Also the facilities were replaced . In the field of academics and technology, the Aemilianum Institute started its pioneering mission in Sorsogon, opening the way for Information Technology, November 1988: application for offering Computer Science and license for Radio station. In March 1989, the first Computer Lab was ready with six units.

In In April 1989, the first contacts were taken for the construction of the so-called AIT department, a project realized by the Somascan Fathers with the participation (49%) of the NGO ELIS, under the management of Dr. Maggi and Dr. Magturo, and MERALCO, in order to avail funds from the Italian Government, sector for International Cooperation.

The buildings of the A.I. improved very fast and expanded; also a new Convent, residence for the religious community, was approved and put up. In January 1992, when the new Convent was blessed by Bishop Varela, the Aemilianum was completely reconstituted.

The year 1992 has to be for ever remembered by the A.I. and the Somascan Fathers. On May 14, Bro. Michael Paulete renewed his religious vows at the presence of Fr. General. On July 12, solemn Ground Breaking for the construction of the Technical Dept. was blessed by the Msgr. Varela, Bishop of Sorsogon, at the presence of Doctor Magturo, representing ELIS and Msgr. Francisco Monje, Vicar General. Beginning of December, works started in Pang-Pang for the construction of Casa Miani. But suddenly the death of our Brother, Michael Paulete tested our faith.

Bro. Mike was hit by a bus in a dangerous curve in Putiao, Sorsogon, while he was driving to Legazpi together with Bro. Eugene. They were on their way to Bicol University for their Masteral course. Bro. Mike was the driver and was smashed with the car in the clash; he died two hours later in Albay Hospital. In those days, Fr. Provincial, Gabriele Scotti, was visiting our communities together with Fr. Ernesto Rusconi. According to an old saying, a family doesn't belong to a land till one of its members is buried in it, Bro. Michael is the first Somascan religious buried in Filipino soil.
We must be very thankful to those teachers and personnel who have been loyal to the A.I. almost since its beginnings. We can name: Helen Liao(now Mrs Yuson)1986, Jocelyn Magas(now Mrs De Ramos)1987, Antonio Ebuenga 1988, Sylvia Lasala 1989, Veronica Balgamino (now Mrs Naz) 1989. We cannot forget the loyal part timers like Lydia Aninipot 1986, Dulcissimo Espinola 1986 and Cecil Meneses 1989. To replace Fr. Valerio, the Superior sent Fr. Richard Germanetto, who arrived on November 10, 1995.
At present the Aemilianum community is composed of the following: Fr. Lino Juta,crs, superior; Bro Eugene Libut,crs, director of the school, Fr. Auguto Dingal,crs, principal elementary dept.; Fr. Romeo Sabayton,crs, guidance couselor; Fr. Abraham Arganiosa,crs; Fr. Manuel Quizon,crs; Bro. Federico Balsomo,crs; and Bro. Roland Manago,crs.

Somascan Fathers Major Seminary - Tagaytay City

2008-02-17T06:43:00.000-08:00

A Gymnasium Of
The Kingdom Of God
Tagaytay
by. +Bro Allan Encinas

Old folks in this place often relate that in the past days people were used to sleep early at 6: o'clock in the evening because it was the best thing to do, and the best choice they had. There facilities offered except such those that one can see and, in fact, the house has now. And they also remembered with delight the beautiful scenery, the serenity, the coolness and freshness of the florae, and the abundance of fruits which were then available. They could never forget it...then, they stopped their story with pride.
Tagaytay was and is really beautiful, and natural and serene. Without any doubt it could have been the reason why on the seventies and eighties many religious families attracted to set their novitiate and formation houses in this place. Some religious structures that could be seen already from their age is the Parish Church in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes; it is managed by the Franciscan Capuchins; the Divine Word School of Theology run by the SVD, and some convents of the Sisters. Later, in 1987 the Somascan Fathers transferred their Novitiate and Major Seminary to the new building in Tagaytay.
Long before the settling down of the Novitiate house and the Major Seminary into this place, the Fathers had scouted on the highlands of Cavite and secured the authorization for the purchase of the land that was issued on 1984. Thereafter, by the year 1986, they were authorized to pursue the construction of the building of the new seminary. And before the end of the same year the actual construction was done under the supervision of Fr. Ernesto, whose untiring commitment we should always remember as he joins now our Lord in his peace.
On October 16, 1988, the official opening and the blessing of the house were done. The late Bishop Felix Perez of Imus presided the rites and consecrated the altar of the chapel. The ribbon cutting was officiated by Mrs. Teena Sarino and Sec. Fidel Ramos of National Defense, who became later the President of the Philippines. Many people attended the celebration, the most of them coming from our St. Jerome Parish in Alabang.
For years, until now, and we hope, for the coming more decades, Tagaytay will attract young youth desirous to consecrate their life on the footsteps of St. Jerome Emiliani. According to the ancient tradition of the Somascan Congregation, the chosen place could satisfy the prerequisites of salubrity and amenity. Every year at the end of May or at the beginning of June in Tagaytay, the most beautiful event is celebrated: the first Religious Profession that is sometimes in good number, sometimes only one, but always does it give great joy to the Congregation. The brothers who commit their lives to the great demands of perpetual vows and Diaconal Ministry also do their profession and ordination here in Tagaytay. Priestly ordinations, on the other hand, are professed to be done in bigger churches, especially St. Jerome Emiliani Parish in Alabang.
Indeed, all the present Filipino young religious spent some years of formation in Tagaytay. It is for this kind of service that our community became that palaestra-gymnasium mentioned in the old Somascan Constitutions, where not only novices are trained for the future life, but also where confreres come back to strengthen, review their journey and to prepare for the next steps. It is by this time spirit that it has become a tradition that a brother comes to Tagaytay for a longer preparation for the perpetual profession, diaconate, and priesthood.
Truly it is nice to trace back and remember the past experience in the providence and grace of our Lord, and also worthy to reminisce those many people and confreres who worked, are presently working, in these 13 years of existence of our Tagaytay Community. To them we extend our gratitude and constant prayer: to Fr. Adriano Lomazzi, whose zeal and energies brought to realization this project; to Fr. Grato Germanetto, then the first superior of the Tagaytay community, whose diligence enriched our field with abundance of trees, gardens, and built the Catechetical Center with many sport facilities; to Fr. Valerio Fenoglio, Somascan pioneer to the Philippines; he was assigned as superior in Tagaytay on 1995, whose enterprise brought forth the novitiate building; Fr. Luigi Cucci, our present superior and novice master,whose patience and prayer guide and direct our community life; Fr. Cesare, whose generosity and insights boost and enrich our spiritual formation; to Fr. Gabriele Scotti, the Major Superior of the Somascan Fathers in the Philippines,who generously, among the many duties, gives his time and availability for this Somascan Community of Tagaytay; and to all the religious who in few or many years put their talents at the service of the formation of our new generations. Some confreres might be in or out the of the country , but still it will be our raising of hands together in prayer that will testify that we are one and bounded though from a distance.
Now, we are very few, but we hope that all the thirty-two rooms of the Seminary and the nine rooms of the novitiate will be filled with generous young people eager to continue in our country the spirit and the work of charity of St. Jerome. But, meanwhile as a community we put our trust in the Lord who is very merciful and have true hope in him alone and we shall never be disenchanted.

The Major seminary is now under the paternal guide of Fr. Richard Germanetto as superior. Fr. Luigi Cucci with his generosity and prayers is our novice master, and Fr. Caesar de Santis always shares his knowledge to the young as he offers them a quality lectures on sacred arts and music.

Somascan Fathers Seminary - Lubao

2008-02-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

Like Watered Garden
Somascan Fathers Seminary - Lubao
by Fr. John Valenzuela

It was in Las Piñas where the first Somascan Seminary in the Philippines was located. Eight seminarians lived together in one wing of Las Piñas General Hospital owned by Dr. Faustino L. Uy.
However, it was very necessary to spot for suitable land that would later be the future seminary. God is always providential. A certain Atty. Paz Capulong, who was helping the Fathers in transacting lands, introduced them to the heirs of the Dimson Family. The Family owned a broad land for sugarcane plantation. One of the wishes of their father was to donate a five hectare piece of land at Prado Saba, Lubao, Pampanga to a religious congregation for building a religious or charitable institution within five years. Mrs. Dayrit and Mrs. Madlambayan, the two daughters, were already very eager to give the land away.
This land was formerly offered to the Benedictine Sisters Reparatrix of the Sacred Heart who are now in Mexico, Pampanga. They did not claim anymore the right to the land and to the building they were not able to finish.
On July 21, 1984, the land at Lubao was visited by Fr. A. Lomazzi, who found it suitable for the construction of the seminary.
On September 8, 1984, the works of the new Minor Seminary started. On November 6, 1984, the formal blessing for laying of the cornerstone was done by Msgr. Celso Guevarra, then Bishop of Balanga, Bataan. The prayers were led by the Most. Rev. Fr. General Pierino Moreno.
All the seminarians with some teachers from Las Piñas College attended the celebration. On March 31, 1985, the last day for our seminary in Las Piñas, everybody has moved to Lubao, and everything has been transferred here. The works in Lubao were far from being finished; at least for the first months, it took a lot of sacrifices on the part of our religious and our seminarians to live there.
Rev. Fr. Bruno Schiavon, who had just arrived from Italy on October 27,1984, led the exodus. The day of transferring from the Las Piñas to Lubao became so memorable to the group, particularly to Fr. Schiavon because of the porcelain toilet bowl which fell right on his toe. Fr. Schiavon remained in the Philippines until 1992; during that time he was the rector of the seminary and superior of the religious house.
When the new school year started in 1985-1986, there were seventy four seminarians. Three buildings were only available for the use at that time. The school building and the dormitory were still without roofs. The same room was used as chapel, as classroom in the morning and dormitory in the evening. The finishing of the building was done by the seminarians. Sometimes classes were interrupted to transport more than four hundred sacks of cement from the actual gate to the stock room. Life was indeed hard during those times.
On February 26, 1986, the Seminary was inaugurated at the height of EDSA People Power Revolution. In the presence of Msgr. Paciano Aniceto, the Bishop of Zambales, and Archbishop Oscar Cruz blessed the buildings. Many people from Manila were advised to stay home due to political unrest happening all over the Philippines.

In addition to the fast development of the Seminary in all its aspects, the solemnity of Mary Mother of the Orphans, was celebrated September 27, 1987. The statue in her honor was erected in the seminary garden and blessed by Fr. Bruno Schiavon.
On September 26, 1988, we celebrated the so-called Family Reunion. It was the first time in the history of the seminary(at Lubao) that such affair was held. It was a different and extraordinary day the seminarians experienced. The celebration was done marvellously.
On the June 15, 1991, the Seminarians had another very exciting and frightening experience. At about 7:30 in the morning, the sky became dark and rain mixed with ashes descended from above. Sometimes they were shocked by the little earthquakes caused by Pinatubo's continuous eruptions. Around 6:00 pm., only dry sand started to descend from the sky and this happened until midnight. At 5:00 o'clock in the morning, the next day, the light could finally be seen. Everything was covered by sand, white sand mixed with little lava stones (more than 20 cm.thick). The seminarians started to clean the roofs. The following nights were sleepless for the continuous shaking of the ground.
Life inside the seminary went on, but it was not easy. In the school year 1993-1994, a good portion of the seminary's compound was turned into rice fields, through the initiative of Fr. Richard Germanetto, acting superior, and the works of the local farmers. The planting and harvesting, however, were done by the seminarians.
Frequent changes were done in the curriculum studiorum and in the planning of formation activities in order to ameliorate the school system under the guidance of Fr. Richard Germanetto, Fr. Luigi Brenna, and Fr. Lino Juta; and with the collaboration of other religious as spiritual directors: Fr. Giovanni Tarditi, Fr. Vittorio Veglio, Fr. Zavattin Lucio, Fr. Giovanni Borali and Fr. Javier San Jose.
Finally, what used to be the sea of tall cogon grasses and arid plains is now paved the fresh smelling fields of palay growing in the midst of lahar treated soil. The trees are taller now and bear much fruit in their seasons. Goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, carabaos, and cows roam around freely to their designated places. Ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, pigeons, are among the scenery of the place. We take care of them also.
It is estimated that from the year 1984, when the Minor Seminary was established in Lubao up to now, about 342 seminarians underwent this period of orienation in our Somascan Life. Fourteen priests were assigned here as clerics were prefects of the seminarians.

This is the life that we are living and the formation we are taking. We look ahead now for the future with St. Jerome Emiliani and Mary as our model and guide.

The religious assigned here at present are Fr. John Carino, superior and dean of college; Fr. Melchor Umandal, spiritual director; Bro. Noel Sitchon, registrar and psychometrician; Rev. Ruben Galang and Bro. Rey Malabanan, prefects of discipline.

A Historical arrival 20 years ago

2008-02-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

Flying towards the Future
A Historical arrival 20 years ago
(by Fr. Valerio Fenoglio)

It was no part of human plans that Somascan while on their way to Manila to officially open the first community in the Philippines would meet with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. For sure, it was in the Divine Plan and the auspicious meaning of this event was recognized very clearly from the very beginning.

A few days= stay in India was indeed part of our route to the Far East, but the name of Mother Teresa was out of question. The unpredictable factor was a strike at the airport of Fiucimo, Rome which forced the two members of expedition - Fr. Cesare De Santis and myself- to cancel the plan spending three days in Andhra Pradesh, South India. In fact, as we landed in Bombay after a 24-hour delay, we were informed that our flight to Hyderabad , capital of Andra Pradesh , could not be rescheduled until after the Christmas season. But we could use our ticket for a flight to Calcutta. That is what we did. And so, on December 23, we arrived at the ACity of Joy@ and found hospitality at the Bishop=s House. The next day, we knocked at the door of the General House of the Missionaries of Charity, a very famous, but, absolutely inconspicious door, much like the person we were hoping to meet behind that door. A small signboard beside the door displayed an encouraging message: AMother Teresa is IN@. When she raised her chin to look at us, we recognized a familiar face: Mother Teresa herself! A few seconds of silence followed, then something flashed in her mind and she added: AI have proposal for you. Do you want to come with me today? We will pay a visit to our lepers@. We found ourselves immediately and enthusiastically unanimous. We just made sure we would be back in time for our flight that evening.

After a 30-minute ride we reached our destination: the famous leprosarium built by the Missionaries of Charity on both sides of a busy railroad. Everybody knows that this is the only available area offered by the city government of Calcutta to meet Mother Teresa=s plea on behalf of the lepers. As consequence, these wretched human beings, sometimes with limbs reduced to miserable stumps, have to scramble or crawl across the railroad bed in order to go from one building to the other, with the real risk of being run over by an incoming train.
The Christmas party was indeed worthy of its name. There were songs, dances, sketches, speeches, distribution of gifts, and above all, a wonderful sense of pure joy. Mother Teresa invited us to join her in serving the food. With my camera I succeeded in taking some memorable images, very touching and true in their striking realism.
I requested Mother Teresa to jot down Aa short message to the first Somascan in Asia@. She complied willingly and this is what she wrote:

A Keep the joy of loving Jesus with undivided love in Chastity,
through Freedom of Poverty, in total surrender to Obedience,
and you will grow in Humility like Mary and Holiness like Jesus.
Let us pray. God bless you.
M. Teresa mc.

A few hours later, in the evening of that memorable Christmas Eve, we took off from Calcutta with a profound feeling of gratitude for having been privileged with a live experience absolutely unique. We landed in Hong Kong.

It was the early morning of Christmas day. Having three hours to wait for our connecting flight, we decided to use the time for our mass celebration, somewhere. Providentially in the airport building, we found an empty room with the name very appropriate to the Christmas event: Nursery. There, to the reverent surprise of throngs of Jesus, through the inspiring liturgy of the Mass at Dawn of Christmas. It was really a touching and meaningful celebration. At round 10 AM we boarded a Cathay Pacific aircraft bound for the Philippines. From the windows of the jetliner with deep, secret emotion, we saw the island of Luzon, the land of our mission, come to meet us, invitingly.
We landed noontime at the airport in Manila which is now called the Manila Domestic Airport. Compared with today=s reality, things were extremely simpler and characterized by a much more human style. In fact, a real crowd of people a sight absolutely unthinkable in our days was waiting on the tarmac, just at the foot of the movable staircase. I spotted some placards which read A Welcome Somascan Fathers!@ and suddenly realized, almost with fright ( I was still rather shy, I think!), that all those people were waiting for us only! Among them I singled out a very particular figure. I had never seen Fr. Giovanni Tarditi before, but, based on previous descriptions heard about our forerunner, I had no problem recognizing him in his unfailing white cassock and gray beard ( today the beard is white, according to first-hand information from Salvador!). As we appeared at the exit door of the airplane, the waving crowd exploded in a roaring applause. We were really shocked and in such state of mind that we forgot to kiss the ground, as we should have. More probably there was no time to think of that. As we reached the last step down, we were immediately surrounded, hugged and taken away by the enthusing multitude. My two pieces of hand of luggage had also been taken away. I realized it at a certain point and exclaimed with concern: AMy luggage!@. ADon=t worry, father, it is in good hands!@. And we felt that we were really in good hands. The immigration formalities were dispatched in no time and after a while we found ourselves in a comfortable car bound for our first temporary mission: the parish of Chrysanthemum Village, in the municipality of San Pedro, Laguna. There we enjoyed our first Filipino meal, in the hospitable home of the Mindaña family. And there we learned our first Tagalog word: Amasarap@( tasty, delicious, delightful).
In the afternoon, at 5, Fr. Cesare presided the parish mass of the Christmas solemnity, in the provisional chapel dedicated to St. Jerome. At the same time, I celebrated my first mass in the Philippines at the AMater Orphanorum@ chapel in Kanlalay ( a barrio on the boundary between San Pedro and Biñan). I still remember the name of one mass attendant, Ms. ASion@ Brasil, who sometime later would be apart of the first Filipino batch of Missionary Daughters of St. Jerome (Somascan Missionaries). Also Fr. Cesare=s audience had something in store for the development of the Somascans in the Philippines: two of his mass attendants would become members of the Congregation some years later. They are: Bro. Eugene Libut, now a missionary in Sri Lanka( he was already an aspirant) and Fr. Thomas Villanueva, who was a member of the ASomascan Choir@ and presently assigned to the Somascan parish in Alabang.
All the rest belong to the past. Many of the realities mentioned above, including the St. Jerome parish in Chrysanthemum Village were in time left behind to give way to other initiatives undertaken by the Congregation in twenty years of presence in the country. In time we would also learn that in many instances the adjective Amasarap@ is not precisely the most suitable word to define a situation objectively. In fact, pretty soon we learned the meaning Amahirap@ (hard, difficult) and found out that in many instances it was a much more appropriate term. That=s it. I mean that is the way the Divine Providence makes wonders through those who, with humble faith and hope, work for the coming of the kingdom. We also kept in mind, constantly, the last precious advice given by our Founder to the ACompagnia@. A Follow the way of Christ crucified and serve the poor@. That is what the Somascans in the Philippines have tried to do ever since.

Documents

2008-02-17T05:23:00.000-08:00

LIFE OF ST. JEROME MIANI by Anonymous

THE CONSTITUTIONS OF 1555

"OUR PRAYER”

SUGGESTIONS FOR AN INTERIOR LIFE AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

PASTORAL LETTER of Mons. Luigi Lippomano, Bishop of Bergamo - 1533

MOLFETTA’S LETTER

BOOK OF THE PROPOSALS MANUSCRIPT 30"

LETTERS OF ST. JEROME

GUILLERMI'S LETTER

Mission

2008-02-17T05:17:00.000-08:00

In 1928 St. Jerome was proclaimed "Universal Patron Saint of the Needy Youth." The Somascans continue the legacy of St. Jerome's commitment in serving the poor and taking care of orphans and troubled youth. In different countries around the world, they work for this cause in a variety of initiatives.

In cooperation with dedicated laypeople, the Somascans run and staff residential treatment centers, rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, group homes, shelters, etc. They educate individuals and families to become sensitive to these issues.

They foster human promotion, evangelization, and Christian formation through schools, technical and training centers, youth centers, parishes, retreat communities, and foreign missions. In all of these endevers, they work to build communities of faith and love.

The Somascans extend their help to the needy around the world. The Order sponsors facilities Italy, Spain, India, Sri-Lanka, The Philippines, Brazil, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, the United States and Indonesia.

History of Our Order

2008-02-17T05:06:00.000-08:00

The "Company of the Servants of the Poor" was founded in 1534 when Jerome Emiliani called together his collaborators and companions for a general assembly. This handful of laymen and priests adopted an organized structure for the movement of religious and social reform started by Jerome in 1529 in Venice. Their goal was to dedicate themselves to the care, assistance, promotion of poor, orphans, abandoned youth, sick, etc, to any kind of works of mercy, and to any pastoral ministry according to the instructions of the Bishops.
First the Company was recognized by the Papal Nuncio to the Republic of Venice in 1535 and then approved by Pope Paul III in 1540, and finally constituted as a Religious Order by Pius V in 1568 with the name of Somascan Regular Clerics. At this time the first Constitutions were issued to define a common lifestyle for all its members, both lay and clergy. In 1767, the Church canonized his Founder, Jerome Emiliani. Moved by the zeal of its Founder, the Order extended its charitable ministries beyond the care of orphans by supporting and staffing seminaries (just then mandated by the Council of Trent), by educating and forming youth, and by ministering to people in parishes. Its expansion, however, was abruptly stopped by laws obstructing religious life issued by Napoleon in 1810 and by the Italian government in 1861. It followed a painful dark period characterized by persecution, injustice, suffering, from which only at the beginning of the XX century has the Order emerged with new vitality. It expansion resumed, reaching new continents and new countries. Nowadays, the Somascans number about 500 religious.

TODAY
The Somascan Fathers continue St. Jerome's mission by: living in communities pursuing holiness by prayer and ministry to the poor living in humility and kindness loving poverty and work praying to the Crucified Jesus and Mary Mother of the Orphans being either priests or brothers. Performing different ministries in the Church, such as: care of orphans, disadvantaged and poor treatment of at-risk-youth rehabilitation of drug addicts education pastoral care and spiritual guidance pastoral care of minorities foreign missions youth formation. Working in: group homes treatment and rehabilitation centers retreat houses schools youth centers parishes. Somascan efforts are in the following countries: Europe: Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Americas: USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil Asia: Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri-Lanka; Oceania: Australia.

SOMASCAN FATHERS
Continue St. Jerome Mission by:
- living in communities
- pursuing holiness by prayer and ministry to the poor
- living in humility and meekness
- loving work
- devotion to the Crucified Jesus and Mary Mother of the Orphans
- being either priest or brother.

Perform different ministries in the Church, such as:
- care of orphans and disadvantaged
- treatment of at-risk youth
- rehabilitation of drug addicts
- education
- pastoral care and spiritual guidance
- pastoral care of minorities

Spirituality

2008-02-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

The key word of the charismatic experience of St. Jerome is: FATHERHOOD. Orphan at 10, after a difficult youth, he goes through a deep conversion experience. Having felt the seriousness of his sin, he discovers the merciful and paternal love of God before the Crucified. And it is God's fatherhood he will witness to through his love for the poor and orphans with whom he wants to "live and die."
Born inside the Catholic Reformation, Jerome's spiritual experience is focused on the concern to return the Church to the "status of sanctity" of the early Christian communities. Even the houses he organized to shelter the orphans had this very community model. His zeal for the Church's reformation was as such that he asked for it and made others ask for it in a prayer he himself composed.
Before dying, Jerome gives to his own a testament that is not only the synthesis of his spiritual experience, but also an itinerary of Christian life: Follow the way of the Crucified, despise the world, love one another, serve the poor. The life of love for the poor is born from a community of people who live the commandment of the reciprocal love, after having decided to have, as a goal, only God. The cross becomes the expression of this dedication and love, on the example of Jesus Christ.

St. Jerome Emiliani: A Different Kind of Saint

2008-02-17T04:50:00.000-08:00

Born in Venice in 1486, the youngest of four brothers, Jerome Emiliani went through an adventurous youth. In 1531 he decided to abandon any military, political, and economical career. Though a layman, he dedicated himself to a unique mission: to share his life with the poor and to build a community with homeless children. His Christian experience took shape inside the Catholic Reformation through the movement of the Divine Love, under the guidance of such illustrious people as Cajetan Thiene (Founder of the Theatines), and John Peter Carafa (Pope Paul IV).
As a member of the Confraternity of the Divine Love, Jerome became a valuable organizer of the works of Charity in Venice (the Hospital of the Incurables and the Shop of St. Rocco). The fame gained in this field took him through the cities of Northern Italy such as Verona, Vicenza, Brescia, Bergamo, Milan, Como, and Pavia. The Bishops of these towns invited Jerome to organize works of mercy in their dioceses.
Around Jerome a group of cooperators started to take shape and some of them decide to take up his lifestyle. Consequently the "Company of the Servants of the Poor" was born. Today, it is called the Congregation of the Somascan Fathers and Brothers. Jerome died in Somasca, February 8, 1537, after having contracted the plague from the sick he was assisting during the epidemic. It was his last supreme gesture of love, according to the command of the Lord to lay down one's life for the others.