Final vows coincide with 70th anniversary of Marist presence

Brother Dionesio De Vera Acosta Jr. made his perpetual vows on Sept. 2 in a Mass celebrated at Notre Dame of Cotabato in Cotabato City, the Philippines.

During the Eucharistic celebration, Brother Raymund Gallardo also made his one-year vows after officially re-entering the Institute.

The provincial superior of East Asia, Brother Robert Teoh, received the vows on behalf of the general superior.

The Mass was presided by Father Patrick Devlin, a Marist priest, and concelebrated by Father Amador Castillo, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate.

The vows coincided with this year’s anniversary of 70years of Marist presence in the Philippines and of the founding of Notre Dame of Cotabato.

They also coincide with the tenth anniversary of the East Asia province, composed of the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Singapore, and Japan.

Brothers Dionesio and Raymund made their first vows at the Immaculate Concepcion Novitiate in Tamontaka in May 2010, alongside four other brothers.