Ormoc City, Philippines. On June 30, 2024, eight novices made their first temporal profession in a solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Chapel of St. Anthony Mary Claret in Ormoc City. The eight newly-professed young missionaries namely: Jomar Niño Abasola, Nguyen Tien Dat, Nguyen Van Hoi, Nguyen Quang Truong, Harold Tinaja, Tran Van Ba, Tran Van Sinh, and Zhang Dongdong (East Asia Delegation), professed their evangelical vows in the hands of Fr. Elias L. Ayuban, Jr., CMF, Provincial Superior.
In his homily, Fr. Elias began by highlighting the significance of the number eight, especially in Chinese culture where it is considered a symbol of luck and prosperity. He deftly reinterpreted this cultural belief through a theological lens, asserting that the number eight should be seen not merely as a symbol of luck, but of divine blessing. “Luck pertains to the person,” he said, “but ‘blessed’ focuses on God who is the bestower of blessings.” This distinction set the tone for the homily, emphasizing that the novices’ call to religious life was not based on their merits, but on God’s abundant graciousness.
He reminded the novices that they were chosen not because they were inherently good or worthy, but because of God’s shared graciousness. “God does not call the qualified,” he affirmed, “but qualifies the called.” This notion dismantled any preconceived notions of meritocracy in spiritual calling, instead placing the emphasis squarely on God’s benevolent will and transformative power. In a world where external discouragement is often prevalent, Fr. Elias’s advice to maintain faith in God and remain mindful of His gifts was particularly resonant. He noted that the phrase “do not be afraid” appears in the scriptures 365 times, a daily reminder of divine reassurance. This, coupled with the fact that this batch of novices was the first to profess with the Congregational cross, underscored the call to courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Finally, Fr. Elias called on the novices to look to Mother Mary as a model of blessedness. Her life, he pointed out, was a testament to living in divine grace, making her an ideal exemplar for the novices to emulate.
