QUEZON CITY, Philippines - Last March 3, 2024, Fr. Lester BONETE, SMM delivered a Lenten Recollection entitled “Cross: You and I” at Montfort Center of Spirituality in Sct. Madriñan, South Triangle, Quezon City. The event drew a significant turnout, with the room filled with eager participants awaiting their Lenten reflection...
ROME, Italy - On March 19, 2024, Fr. Fidelis Bolo WOTAN, SMM presented his doctoral dissertation at the “Pontifica Facoltà Teologica Marianum” in Rome. This confrere, usually known as Father Fidel, became one of the Doctors of Dogmatic Theology specializing in Mariology, the first Doctor of Theology specializing in Mariology from and in Indonesia...
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - The growing insecurity which affects all sectors of the country and causes massive population displacements also has a great impact on the proper functioning of the scholasticate of the Montfort Missionaries in Haiti. Many areas in Port-au-Prince are declared lawless zones or lost territories where thousands of men, women, and children forcibly left their homes to escape violence and looting. The cul-de-sac plain in particular “Bon repos” where the scholasticate is located is one of them. It became an area which is difficult to access and depopulated due to clashes between armed groups. This situation led to internal migration where people fled their neighborhoods to places that are more peaceful and secure. The Montfortian Scholasticate was not spared...
MALANG, Indonesia – Below we publish further information about the Provincial Chapter of the Montfort Missionaries in Indonesia which took place on 18-23 February 2023. The article tells what happened on the fourth to sixth day which was the last day of the chapter...
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – In a harmonious gathering from February 19 to 21, 2024, the Montfort Missionaries Philippine Delegation gathered at their delegation house in Mariana, Quezon City. The purpose of this gathering primarily revolved around two pivotal agendas: firstly, a comprehensive assessment of priorities for the year 2024, along with a review of those established in 2023; and secondly, the planning of specific programs for the next 6 to 7 years in response to the General Chapter of 2023. These programs are based on three themes: identity, evangelization, transmission of charism, ongoing formation, and a culture of planning...
The Provincial Chapter of Indonesia, held on 23 February 2024 in Malang, Indonesia, in the presence of Father Yoseph Putra Dwi Darma WATUN, SMM, Superior General, has elected Father Antonius TENSI, SMM as Superior of the Province of Indonesia for a second mandate of three years...
MALANG, Indonesia - Starting from February 18, 2024, the Provincial Chapter of the Montfort Missionaries in Indonesia took place. The Chapter, which lasted for six days, was held in the house that had just been blessed on February 16. It is located in the complex of Montfort Seminary in Malang and it is called “House of Wisdom”. The following is a sharing about the chapter sent by the secretariat of this chapter...
PONTCHÂTEAU, France - On February 10 and 11, 2024, a session on interculturality organized by the Daughters of Wisdom brought together young Montfortians in Pontchâteau under the leadership of three priests from the Society of African Missions, Fathers Laurent, Roger and Etienne. The event was attended by 19 sisters from the Daughters of Wisdom and 2 young Montfort missionaries, namely Fr. Eric MANIRAKIZA, SMM and Fr. Olivier RAMAHENINTSOA, SMM...
PARIS, France - The Conference of Religious Men and Women of France (CORREF) recently organized its annual Welcome 2024 session for foreign missionaries working in France. It was participated by one from the Montfort Missionaries and three from the Daughters of Wisdom. This week, which took place from Monday, February 5 to Friday, February 9 in Paris, was marked by enriching exchanges and a deep immersion in French social and religious reality...
SAINT-LAURENT-SUR-SEVRE, France - The Association of Rectors of Sanctuaries (ARS), recently changed its name to become the Association of Catholic Sanctuaries (ASC). This association held its annual congress from January 29 to 31, 2024 at the sanctuary of Notre Dame de Montligeon, world center of prayer for the Souls of Purgatory...
KIUNGA, Papua New Guinea - On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we had our first profession in the Cathedral of Daru-Kiunga diocese. It was a beautiful and joyful experience for me and my two brothers. As Mary offered her Son Jesus to God, we vowed to a life of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity in the presence of the Delegation Superior, Fr. Aloisius BANGGUR, SMM who represented Father General and the congregation. It was just fitting to celebrate because it was the day of the consecrated life or the religious. For the three of us, this day has marked a very special and significant event in our life as religious brothers. It will never pass without our prayer and reflection on this occasion...
TAMATAVE, Madagascar – In the Vice-province of Madagascar, the beginning of the year marked the World Day for Consecrated Life by the Perpetual Profession of Bro. Joseph Victor RATAFITANIAINA, SMM on February 2, 2024, in the parish EKAR Sacré Cœur Tanambao V Toamasina. Father Bruno RANDRIANASOLO KIKY, SMM, Superior of the Vice-province of Madagascar, presided over the Mass and received the brother's vows. It was a day of grace for the entity in which several confreres from each community came to honor and celebrate the occasion...
KIUNGA, Papua New Guinea - Consecration is a wonderful and exciting journey. It begins with the thirty-three days of silence, prayer, and reflections. Four Montfort Fathers journeyed and helped three novices in deepening their knowledge of the World, the Self, Mary and of Jesus. As it was stressed by many people and even the Delegation Superior, Fr. Aloisius BANGGUR, SMM: “It will be history in the Company of Mary in Daru-Kiunga diocese that after sixty-five years of its mission and first of its kind, Montfort Novices will be consecrating themselves in the Montfortian way”...
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - At the invitation of the Montfort Province of Haiti, under the aegis of the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Monsignor Francisco Escalante MOLINA, took place at “Saint Louis Roi de France” Parish in Port-au-Prince – after the Eucharistic celebration of 10:00 a.m. - the inauguration of the new buildings of the Center for Evangelization, Spirituality and Mental Health (CESSA),....
The Provincial Chapter of Colombia, held on 25 January 2024 in Choachí - Cundinamarca, Colombia, in the presence of Father Yoseph Putra Dwi Darma WATUN, SMM, Superior General, has elected Fr. Jaime Oved CABREJO RUÍZ, SMM as Superior of the Province of Colombia for a mandate of six years....
SCHIMMERT, Netherlands - One of the interesting things that Saint Montfort teaches his followers is the spirit of willingness to work and be sent anywhere under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This applies to all Montfortians: young and old, sick and healthy, wherever and whenever. In light of this spirituality, we witnessed the move of 5 confreres from Schimmert to Vroenhof on Wednesday, January 17, 2023. This move was not because of work, but to strengthen community life in Vroenhof. With the arrival of 5 brothers from Schimmert, the members of the Vroenhof community has increased...