OMI Pre-Novitiate Acceptance Rites 2023
“I assure you, something great awaits you here in this place”. – Fr. Gerry Gamaliel delos Reyes, OMI.
A year has passed since I’ve heard these words uttered by the Provincial Superior as we were welcomed as Postulants or Pre-Novices for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Truly, there were great things that came our way, but I am only able to describe it as remarkable, fleeting, even, for there were so much that took place and all we could do is reminisce. Even so, each experiences carved a new learning that helped us in our growth. We had hoped that all of us would proceed in our discernment, but only a few remained and were received as Novices for the Novitiate Formation.
“Vocation, more than our own choice, is a response to the Lord’s unmerited call” – Pope Francis
On the 25th of July, this year, we usher a new batch of incoming postulants. Six young men who responded to the Lord’s unmerited call. Coming from different dioceses, different personalities, and different aspirations, yet they share the same heart and the same humility to undergo the Pre-Novitiate Formation as Postulants or Pre-Novices.
Marc Lorenz Acebedo from the Archdiocese of Palo.
John Kenneth Cielo from Prelature Batanes.
Piolo Ryan Dela Cruz from the Archdiocese of Cotabato.
Ralph Rosales from the Diocese of Catarman.
Henry Jacob Aspacio Solano from the Archdiocese of Cotabato.
Francis Jude Taniñas from the Diocese of Borongan.
These six young men will be admitted to a new structure of daily activities where they will be grounded on what it means to live in a community. To boot, they will also be sent to various environment all the while overcoming diverse encounters during their exposures. The journey may prove too difficult, even so, in their voyage towards the unknown, God, being the God of peace, love, and joy, will proffer fulfillment, warmth, and bliss.
May God grant these young men resiliency as they head to a new chapter of their lives, a chapter of discerning in answering God’s call, and may God also bless the Catholic Church with an abundance of young men and women as shepherds in tending God’s multitude of flocks.
-KD Buot