New Guardian and Institution to the Ministries

On March 25, 2023, during the Solemnity of the Annunciation, different communities gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Binangonan, Rizal to witness the profession of faith and oath of fidelity of the guardian of the new friary and the institution of three friars to the ministries. This was a historic moment for the Filipino Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza, since after more than twenty years, a new friary was canonically erected, and for the first time, a religious brother was postulated for guardianship.

Before the start of the Mass, Fra Christopher Baptista, OFMConv., read the decree of the canonical erection of the new friary of the Custody, St. Francis of Assisi Friary, and an excerpt from the postulation decree for the new guardian from the general curia. The Provincial Custos, Fra Emmanuel Giva, OFMConv., presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

During the Holy Mass, Fra Bonaventure Bajar, made his profession of faith and oath of fidelity as the new guardian of St. Francis of Assisi Friary. Likewise, Fra Maximilian Bumacod was instituted to the ministry of lector while Fra. Paul Vicente Cervantes and Fra Miguel Sumagaysay were instituted to the ministry of acolyte.

Towards the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, the two friars: Fra Valerian Castillo, OFMConv. and Fra Christopher Baptista, OFMConv., who are members of the new community, received their letter of obedience. Afterwards, a copy of the Constitutions was distributed to all the friars.

Photos courtesy of San Francisco ng Assisi Parish