Provincial Updates
(January to March, 2018)

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

In lieu of their annual retreat, the Filipino Oblates of St. Joseph made a ten-day-pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The community was divided into two groups. The first group (January 8 to 12) was led by Fr. Carlito Argente, OSJ as their chaplain. The second group (January 22 to 26) was headed by their chaplain, Fr. Venancio Silva, OSJ.

The pilgrim priests and brothers visited the significant places where Jesus spend his life and ministries among which were: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Gallilee, Cana, Nazareth, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethany and the Mount of Olives. They also had the chance to kiss the Star of Bethlehem, to retrace the Via Crucis and to pay respect to the said-site of crucifixion and burial stone of Jesus.

OSJ opens new Mission in Pangasinan

Answering the call of Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, DD, archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, the Oblates of St. Joseph Philippie Province opened its first mission at Brgy. Wawa, Bayambang, Pangasinan.

The parish is deidcated to St. Lorenzo Ruiz. Rev. Fr. Edcel Silva, OSJ was appointed to be its Parish Priest. His installation on February 11 marked the formal beginning of this mission.

Opari Concert Staged for Eldery and Sick OSJs

Through the initiative of the community in Santuario de San Jose, a benefit concert dubbed as "OPARI: An Oblate Gift" was staged aimed to augment the hospitalization fund of the Province for its sick and elderly priests.

Most of the performers were priests and brothers of the Province. The said concert was also assisted by various friends and members of the Joseph Marello Youth.

It was held at two venues: La Salle Sentrum, Lipa Ctiy, February 19; and Music Museum, March 9.

Four New OSJ Priests

On March 14, 2018, four OSJ deacons were ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Glbert Garcera, DD, Archbishop of Lipa, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph the Patriarch.

These new priests are Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Arcenal, Jr., OSJ, Rev. Fr. Glenn Andre Baes, OSJ, Rev. Fr. Rafael Neil Hernandez, OSJ and Rev. Fr. Alfie Polistico.

Fr. Arcenal is from Mariveles, Bataan. He held his thanksgiving Mass at Sto. Niño Parish Church, Mariveles, Bataan on March 16. Fr. Baes hails from Rosario, Batangas and celebrated his thanksgiving mass at the Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church on March 18. Fr. Hernandez held his thanksgiving mass at his hometown of San Jose, Batangas, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph the Patriarch on March 23. Fr. Polistico went back to his native place of Tagakpan, Davao City and celebrated his thanksgiving at San Francisco de Asis Parish Church on April 4, 2018.