QUEZON CITY, Philippines - On August 1, 2023, at 5:00 PM, a momentous event took place at the SMM Delegation House Chapel as the religious community gathered to celebrate the renewal of vows on the memorial of St. Alphonsus de Liguori. Led by Rev. Fr. Norwyn V. BAYDO, SMM, and accompanied by other Montfortian priests, the ceremony held deep spiritual significance for all in attendance...
QUEZON CITY, Philippines - On July 31, 2023, a serene morning at 6:30 AM marked the commencement of the Novitiate Program at the SMM Delegation House with a soulful morning prayer led by Rev. Fr. Norwyn V. BAYDO, SMM, the Philippine Delegation Superior and Rev. Fr. Paul Arnel L. LUCERO, SMM, the Novice Master. The prayerful atmosphere set the tone for the significant event that followed. The Rite of Entrance to the Novitiate Program took place, welcoming two new novices, Jessie James DATULAYTA and Jay Birte CUMALING, into the SMM community...
MINGLANILLA, Cebu - On Sunday, July 16, 2023, a significant milestone was reached as Totus Tuus Journey (TTJ) Batch 26 completed their thirty-three-day session and underwent the Consecration Day at Montfort Cebu Mission House, Lower Calajoan. The journey began with forty-seven enthusiastic participants, and after weeks of spiritual growth and dedication, forty individuals successfully completed the program...
PHALOMBE, Malawi - 250 households in Phalombe, Malawi received food relief items on 18th July 2023. The office of Africa Anglophone Delegation facilitated the distribution of relief items in Phalombe with the donation from families in St. Louis parish, Missouri, USA where Fr. Thomas POTH, SMM grew up...
SAINT LAURENT-SUR-SÈVRE, France - It all started with the meeting of the three General Councils of the three Montfortian Congregations which took place on March 24, 2022 at the Generalate of the Brothers of Saint Gabriel in Rome. It was then agreed that to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the birth of Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, which falls on January 31, 2023, we would hold an international gathering of the Associates or missionary partners of our congregations...
NAIROBI, Kenya - The fourth and final week of training of formators was animated by Fr. Marco PASINATO, SMM, the new Vicar General of the Company of Mary. The theme was focused on the Montfortian Ratio Formationis, volume II. With our facilitator, we tried to dissect in an explicit way what the Ratio says about each level of formation in Montfortian life...
HOEGAARDEN, Belgium - Even non-believers will have to admit that the Ermelindis procession has tremendous power to strengthen people in faith and unify them in the spirit of togetherness. This village feast, which is indeed a commemoration and veneration of the patron saint of the village, is the highlight of the Pentecost weekend in the surroundings of Meldert, Hoegaarden. The village of Meldert has just over 1,100 inhabitants, yet it is known for this feast celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost...
LOURDES, France - From 14 to 20 July, I guided a group of pilgrims to Lourdes. A total of 25 people attended the pilgrimage, and it was a mixed group coming from the different provinces of Flanders. These days, almost all dioceses in Belgium organize pilgrimage to Lourdes in the summer. They usually come in big groups and were accompanied by many volunteers. These dioceses take their pilgrims in special trains that travels directly to Lourdes. In this manner, pilgrims need not to worry about changing trains or shifting their baggages from one train to another. These dioceses take also sick, bed-ridden, and wheelchair-bound pilgrims in the trains. The pilgrimage is well-organized, and many young volunteers are extremely happy to accompany these vulnerable people...