On June 6th, 2025, in San José (Philippines) 7 Young people entered the Novitiate: 6 Young Indonesians and One Filipino.
On June 6th, Seven Young People entered the San José Novitiate: Six Indonesians and One Filipino. A few days earlier, at the end of May, the Brothers of Pointe-du-Lac received a Surprise Visit from Bishop Roméo Lazo, Archbishop of the Diocese of Iloilo, in the Philippines. Iloilo is the Capital of the Province of the same name, on the Island of Panay, in the Center of the Philippine Archipelago. Within that Diocese is the City of San José, which today hosts the Novitiate of the District of Saint Francis Xavier.
The seven Novices surrounded by their Formators, Br Michel Gougeon, second from the left, Assistant Master, and Br Ewald Guerrier, second from the right, Novice Master. Two other Brothers made up the Community of San José: on the left, Br Israel De Ocampo, Director of the 2nd Year Postulancy, and on the right, Br Mamerto Gaugano, Superior of the Community and Teacher.
Brother Claude Beauchesne recounts the Surprise Visit of Bishop Roméo Lazo:
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“We, the Brothers of the Philippines, had met Bishop Lazo when we arrived in 1987. Bishop Lazo was then Parish Priest of the Parish of San José, where we settled. Bishop Lazo’s Deeply Spiritual Spirit, his Kindness, and Openness of Heart and Mind led to his rapid rise to be Bishop and then Archbishop.
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Having reached Retirement Age, he submitted his Resignation to the Vatican Dicastery. And before being given another Assignment, the First thing he wanted to do was visit all the FIC Missionaries he knew in the Philippines: in La Prairie, at Pointe-du-Lac, and even at the Richelieu Infirmary, not to mention the Missionaries who had died in the Pointe-du-Lac Cemetery.
The Bishop expressed his Gratitude to us, saying: “Brothers, your arrival in Our Great Diocese has been the Most Beautiful Gift we have ever received. We are Very Grateful to you.”
That Testimony was very touching. We thank Bishop Lazo for his Fraternal Gesture towards us and the Congregation.
Brother Claude Beauchesne, Pointe-du-Lac.
Some photos of the life of the Novices of San José. The Entire Mennaisian Family of the Congregation carried them in Prayer and Fraternal Affection.
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