Thursday, October 15, 2020
All the Comboni Missionaries of the two communities of the Philippines, joined also by the Postulants, gathered together, on the evening of October 10, Feast of Saint Daniel Comboni, in the residence of the Novitiate in Quezon City, Manila, to witness the official acceptance of the postulant Francis Xavier Dao Quang Vinh to the new formation stage of the Novitiate. Francis comes from Vietnam and has joined our formation program after a working experience.

Francis Xavier Dao Quang Vinh

The simple ceremony included the handing over to the new novice of the books of the Rule of Life and the Writings of the Founder, Saint Daniel Comboni, as his road map for the spiritual journey of the next two years. The ritual was presided over by the Delegate Superior, Fr. David Domingues, at the presence of the Novice Master Fr. Victor Manuel Tavares Dias.

The day had started with a solemn Mass in honor of Saint Daniel Comboni, followed by a shared breakfast together with the few friends who dared to come out to participate in our feast, given the Covid 19 lockdown. In the afternoon, the confreres from Sucat community arrived and we all attended a talk by Fr. Noel Tchawe and then proceeded to the Novitiate for the acceptance of Francis Xavier.

The day was crowned by a joyful dinner followed by presentations. Unfortunately, the three second year novices could not be present since they are having their exposure with the indigenous people the Aetas tribe, in a bit far place, Porac, Pampanga, and travelling is made difficult by the quarantine rules.

The three new aspiring postulants from Vietnam were also missed since they have not yet had the possibility of travelling to the Philippines as it was expected. They hope that they may eventually join as soon as the restrictions are lifted.