A Week of Vocational Blessings and Formation Milestones

Quezon City, Philippines – The Province of San Pedro Bautista rejoiced in a week filled with significant vocational celebrations and formation milestones, witnessing the continuing growth of the Franciscan vocation in the Philippines and across Asia.

The formation year opened with a promising sign of hope as the Province welcomed 23 new aspirants who will begin their journey of discernment and formation at the Our Lady of the Angels Seminary (OLAS). They join the 18 continuing aspirants, bringing the seminary community to a total of 41 young men preparing to deepen their call to Franciscan life.

On 26 May 2026, during Evening Prayer at the Portiuncula Chapel of OLAS, seven student friars renewed their temporary vows for another year. In the presence of the fraternity, they reaffirmed their commitment to live the Gospel according to the Rule and life of the Friars Minor as they continue their formation.

The following day, 27 May, the Province celebrated the installation of ministries. During the liturgical celebration, six student friars were instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte, while one friar received the Ministry of Lector, marking another important step in their preparation for future service to the Church and the Order.

A particularly joyful celebration took place on 28 May at the Basilica Minore of San Pedro Bautista, where 16 novices made their First Profession of Vows. The newly professed friars came from different entities of the Order: eight from the Province of San Pedro Bautista (Philippines), seven from the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation (Myanmar), and one from the Custody of St. Anthony (Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei). Through their profession, they publicly embraced the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience within the Franciscan fraternity.

The celebrations continued on 29 May at the Juan de Plasencia Novitiate House in Liliw, Laguna, where 12 new novices were formally accepted into the novitiate. The group consists of five brothers from the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation, four from the Province of San Pedro Bautista, and three from the Custody of St. Anthony. Their reception into the novitiate marks the beginning of a year dedicated to deeper prayer, fraternity, and discernment in the Franciscan way of life.

The week concluded on 30 May with the acceptance of seven new postulants during Morning Prayer. Following the celebration, the Province witnessed another grace-filled moment as five friars made their Solemn Profession of Vows, definitively committing themselves to the Franciscan life and mission in the Church.

These celebrations manifest the vitality of Franciscan vocations in the region and highlight the growing collaboration among the Province of San Pedro Bautista, the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation in Myanmar, and the Custody of St. Anthony. As the brothers continue their journey of formation, the Province gives thanks to God for the gift of these vocations and entrusts them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Pedro Bautista.

By Br. Elimark Cruz, OFM