The Redemptorist Formation Community entered into a new formation year with prayer, planning, and shared mission. Rooted in prayer, the community gathered to review its life and renew its commitment to forming missionaries whose hearts, filled with compassion and zeal, spring from the Gospel.
The four-day Plan of Community Life (PCL) began with morning prayer and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, entrusting all discussions and decisions to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Facilitated by the ad hoc committee, the review of life highlighted the community’s collective desire to grow holistically in formation while remaining faithful to the Redemptorist charism.
The PCL culminated with a milestone moment: the election of new RFC Council members, the appointment of Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) coordinators, the selection of BEC members, and the communal acceptance of the new PCL documents through a solemn rite. This milestone emphasized the community’s dedication to servant leadership.
In its commitment to building a safe and healthy community, the RFC undertook a whole-day Safeguarding Workshop. Guided by Rev. Fr. Jean Paul Tabasa, C.Ss.R., Rev. Fr. Eric Paul Soliven Sevencruz, C.Ss.R., and Ms. Baby Rose Gargantiel Robles─ a registered guidance counselor, author, and a longtime redemptorist lay mission partner─ the workshop equipped members to foster a safe environment and to commit themselves personally as “safe persons.”
Following the Review of Life and Safeguarding Workshop, the community surrendered all the fruits of their plans and aspirations to the Lord as they entered into a four-day opening retreat. Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Jose Lemuel Nadorra, C.Ss.R., the retreat grounded the members in their Redemptorist identity, reflecting on the Alphonsian Spirituality─ the Crib, Cross, Eucharist, and Mary. This deepened their resolve to make their hearts beat for Christ, the Most Holy Redeemer, inspired by their founder, St. Alphonsus Ma. De Liguori.
The PCL and retreat were concluded with the celebration of the Holy Spirit Mass, presided by the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist Province of Cebu, Most Rev. Fr. Edilberto Cepe, C.Ss.R., and concelebrated by RFC Formator, Rev. Fr. Jesus Sanito D. Umbac, C.Ss.R. During the Mass, the community welcomed Bro. Ronel Vega, C.Ss.R., as a new member, and commissioned the newly RFC Council Members, Committee Chairs, BEC Coordinators, and Formation Team.
The celebration was made even more meaningful as three brothers of the Redemptorist Province of Cebu─ Bro. Paolo Ray E. Bataller, C.Ss.R., Bro. Danilo R. Pegalan, C.Ss.R., and Bro. Roger A. Buot, C.Ss.R.─ renewed their religious vows before God, the Provincial Superior, their Formator, and the community, reaffirming their vocation within God’s plentiful redemption.
The Redemptorist Formation Community begins this formation year with intentional plans, surrendering all to God in silence, reflection, and prayer. As the community continues its formation year, may every plan become an instrument of God’s redeeming love, leading each member to become ever more faithful missionaries of hope.
Bro. Roger Buot, CSsR.
4th Year Theology Student
