Fr. Charlie, Fr. Lito & Fr. Jack
celebrate 25 years of priesthood

Rev. Fr. Carlito Argente, OSJ, Rev. Fr. Jolito Marterior, OSJ and Rev. Fr. Joaquin SIllonar, OSJ celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary as priests on May 2, 2016 at the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Padre Garcia, Batangas

This momentous occasion began with a concelebrated mass presided by Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr., DD, bishop of the Diocese of Boac, Marinduque. About sixty religious and diocesan priests were also present.

During his homily, Bishop Junie expounded the two reasons why they have persevered in this vocation. First, he said, that it was through the grace, love and mercy of God that they have become priests. And second, it was because they responded to this call. He also stressed that this response is not perfect in itself for indeed for the past twenty-five years there were moments of temptations wherein they have become weak and unfaithful. At the conclusion of his homily, he shared Pope Francis‘ seven pillars of priesthood to strengthen the priests: (1) the strength of a priest depends on his relationship with Christ; (2) the priest must be close to the people he serves; (3) a priest‘s authority must be linked to service, especially to the care and protection of the poorest, weakest, the least important and most easily forgotten; (4) the priest must be a minister of mercy; (5) the priest is called to a simplicity of life; (6) the priest must be a model of integrity; and (7) the priest is to be a source of blessing for his people. To these seven, he added Bishop Rey Evangelista‘s eighth pillar: the priest draws strength from his brother priests.

A lunch was served after the Eucharistic celebration.

Four OSJs ordained priests

Four Oblates of St. Joseph have just been ordained priests this day, May 3, 2016 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph the Patriarch, San Jose, Batangas. They are Rev. Fr. Aldrich Gamboa, OSJ, Rev. Fr. Gilbert Hervias, OSJ, Rev. Fr. Rodrigo Pecto, Jr., OSJ and Rev. Fr. Niño Randolf Subiaco, OSJ. Their ordaining prelate was the Archbishop Emeritus of Manila, His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, D.D.

They will be holding their Thanksgiving Masses in their respective hometowns: May 4 (9:00 AM), Fr. Aldrich at the Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Rosario, Batangas; May 4 (5:00 PM) Fr. Randolf at the Holy Cross Parish, Amparo Village, Quezon City; May 12 (9:30 AM), Fr. Digz at San Julian de Cuenca Parish, Janiuay, Iloilo; and May 12 (5:30 PM), Fr. Gilbert at the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish, Buntatala, Iloilo City.

10 Aspirants accepted as OSJ Postulants

At the Vigil Mass of Pentecost, May 14, ten aspirants were accepted as postulants of the Oblates of St. Joseph Philippine Province at the Sacred Heart Chapel of Marello Retreat House, Tagaytay City.

They were: Post. Erickson K. Alfante, Post. John Rey C. Basañes, Post. John Mark S. Comia, Post. John Paulo D. Garma,Post. Christian M. Hortal, Post. Don Christer A. Lazado, Post. James Albert B. Leyesa, Post. Vincent Michael C. Liwag, Post. Rondick. D. Magbujos and Post. Lervin B. Tejada.

The said celebration was presided by Rev. Fr. Jayson Endaya, OSJ, Vicar Provincial. The new postulants were also formally entrusted to the newly appointed Postulants Director, Rev. Fr. Ronald Medrano, OSJ

The postulancy is a period wherein the formandi are given a year of discernment and reflection on one's religious vocation. After which, they are to decide to commit themselves into the membership of the OSJ family as a religious priest or brother; and thus, to be consecrated more intimately to God by following Christ more closely in imiation of St. Joseph and St. Joseph Marello. It is also a period of immediate preparation for the Novitiate,as required by Canon Law, the OSJ Constitutions and General Directory.

Four Postulants accepted as Novices

Four postulants were accepted as novices on the eve of May 20, 2016 at the Marello Novitiate House, Victoria Homes, Muntinlupa City.

The new novices are Nov. Cedrick del Mundo, Nov. Eurico Rapael Maralit, Nov. Anthony Sayno and Nov. Amiel Joseph Sevilla. They will staying for a year of intensive formation to learn more about the OSJ religious life and as prepartion for the profession of the vows of povery, chastity and obedience. They will be under the guidance of the novice master, Rev. Fr. Edwin Tolentino, OSJ.

Rev. Fr. Jayson Endaya, OSJ, Vicar Provincial, presided the rite of entrance.

Today is St. Joseph Marello's Feast

Today, May 30, the whole Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph is celebrating the feast of our founder, St. Joseph Marello.

We invite you to join us through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in your respective parishes in thanking God for giving us a holy man who truly inspired us to be extraordinary in our ordinary lives and encouraged us to always serve the interests of Jesus like St. Joseph.

Click here to read more about the life of St. Joseph Marello. . .

Click here for Devotional Prayers to St. Joseph Marello. . . .