Annual Retreat of East Asia Province

The one-week retreat of the East Asia Province Brothers was held in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines, from April 3 to 8, 2023. Brothers from different communities joined the retreat, conducted by Brother Joseph Soteras, General Councilior. There were around fifty Brothers present during the retreat.

The theme of the retreat was on the Brothers’ Rule of Life. Based on what was presented to the group, there were four tenets on which the Brothers needed to understand and perform. The four tenets were Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, et Contemplatio. These were ways and means for the Brothers to reconnect themselves with the present apart from the past and the future.

The last afternoon of the retreat was devoted to the Sector Assembly. Br. Allan de Castro, the current Provincial, presented the sector’s situation at the present time. Br. Danilo Sevilla, the province econome, showed the financial situation of the sector. Br. Rommel Occasiones highlighted the Formation Commission’s activities and plans. Br. Manuel de Leon reported on the Ministry Commission’s accomplishments and present activities.

The last activity of the retreat happened during the Easter Vigil mass presided by Fr. Romeo Buenaobra, an 84-year-old diocesan priest. This was the renewal of vows of the four Filipino Brothers of the Philippine sector, two Brothers from the Marist District of Asia (MDA) and two Brothers from Star of the Sea Province. The Filipino Brothers were Bro. Jick de Leon, Br. Jay-jay Escuadro, Engel Freed Java and Dave Romar Rano. The Brothers from MDA were Br. Pedro and Br. Rubel, while the Brothers from Star of the Sea were Br. Steve and Br. Petero. All the perpetually Brothers devotionally renewed their vows as part of the activity. Two aspirants, Jude and Jake joined the Brothers during the retreat.