East Asia Province receives three new postulants

James Ryan G. Billiones and John Demver J. Manansala, from General Santos City, and Jonhcar P. Claveria, from Antipas, all aspirants of the East Asia Province in the Philippines, were proclaimed postulants on Sept. 12, the memorial of the Holy Name of Mary.

Brother Roy Deita, the pre-novitiate director, presented the three candidates to Brother Lindley Sionosa, vice provincial and coordinator of the Philippines sector who in turn accepted them. 

The rite of the proclamation of postulants was held during Mass presided by Father Raul Vale at Our Lady of the Magnificat Chapel in the pre-novitiate house.

As part of the rite, each of the three newly proclaimed postulants offered a symbol representing himself as he continues his journey of discerning God’s call. 

Postulancy, is the time of preparation before entering the novitiate and is usually around one year. Depending on the Province or District, the first of the two years of noviciate is sometimes considered as the postulancy period.

The Brothers from the nearby communities, family members and friends of the postulants, the Marist Missionary Sisters, the Oblates of Notre Dame Sisters and some mission partners also took part. 

In the picture from left to right: Brother Roy Deita, Father Raul Vale, Jonhcar Claveria, John Demver Manansala and James Ryan Billiones.