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Spiritan Formation Community Manila, 144 B Gonzales, Loyola Heights, Quezon City (2026)

25/03/2025

On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we are pleased to share some key points from the homily of Fr. Alain Mayama, C.S.Sp., the Superior General of the Spiritans:

Father Mayama began by discussing the early Church debate over the nature of Christ, and whether Jesus was fully human and fully divine. This controversy stirred the Church, leading to the development of the concept of the “hypostatic union,” which clarified that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, united in one person, without separating the two natures.

Father Mayama then referred to the role of Mary in this theological debate. He explained that, through this controversy, the Church affirmed that Mary is the “Mother of God” (Theotokos) because both Christ’s humanity and divinity are united in Him. This led to the decision by the Council of Ephesus in 431, which confirmed the place of Mary and the correct understanding of Christ’s nature

Father Mayama connected this historical theological debate to the celebration of the Annunciation, explaining that it is at this moment when the Word became flesh. He emphasized that the Annunciation is about more than just the birth of Christ. It also signifies the moment when Mary accepted God’s will. Father Mayama highlighted that Mary’s acceptance of God’s will serves as a model of obedience, humility, and docility.

He then reminded us that the call to serve others is not just about spreading the word of God but about living out the humility and love that Jesus modeled.

Therefore, as Christians and religious missionaries, we are called to be obedient to God’s will and humble in our service to others. Father Mayama emphasized that, like Mary, we must be willing to accept God’s will, no matter where it leads us, in our mission to serve the people we are sent to.

Finally, Father Mayama called on us to reflect on our own journey of faith and how we can become better missionaries. We must listen attentively to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and allow God to work through us as we respond to the needs of those around us. He concluded by reminding us that obedience is key in our spiritual journey, and that, like Mary, we must say “yes” to God’s will.

24/03/2025

We welcome Fr. Alain Mayama, C.S.Sp., the Superior General of the Spiritans, and Fr. Peter Matthew, C.S.Sp., the Provincial of the Philippines Group, to our Spiritan Formation Community, Manila.

Our Rector, Fr. Damian Ikemefuna Ozokwere CSSp, Vice Rector Fr. Joseph Quoc Le CSSp, Fr. Francis Eke CSSp, and 18 brothers are deeply grateful to have you with us.

During his visit, Father Mayama shared with us an inspiring reflection on the essence of our Spiritan charism and life as a religious missionary congregation.

He emphasized on the importance of adapting to the internationality of our congregation as well the importance of preserving our identity.

As Spiritans, we are called to live in solidarity with those on the margins of society, and this mission requires us to be flexible, humble, and open to the cultures we encounter. Father Mayama highlighted that learning the local languages of the places of our mission remains an essential part of this commitment, as that helps us to build genuine relationships and serve with empathy.

Father Mayama reminded us that as Spiritans, we are called to serve the poor, the marginalized, and those who are often overlooked by society. Our charism calls us to be present, to engage deeply with the communities we serve, and to respond to the needs of the world with love and compassion.

Looking towards the future, Father Mayama stressed the importance of forming strong communities and ensuring that the new members of the congregation are supported in their formation. The mission of the Spiritans is not just about spreading the word, but also about fostering relationships that build up the body of Christ, and our role in that requires both commitment and adaptability.

Thank you, Father Mayama and Father Peter Matthew, for your visit and for sharing your wisdom with us.

22/03/2025

𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐂

(Ex.3:1-8.13-15, Ps.102:1-4.6-8.11, 1Cor.10:1-6.10-12 & Lk.13:1-9)

𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘

The Scripture is replete with God’s calls to different individuals down through the human creation. Interestingly, whenever God calls, He calls for a purpose. Sometimes the purpose of the task is not directly specified, but in most cases, it is specified like in the case of Moses whose call is related in today’s First Reading -Ex.3:1-8.13-15. The call of Moses is purposely for the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in the land of Egypt.

In the story, as the attention of Moses was drawn to the strange and amazing sight of the bush on fire and whose leaves weren’t burnt, Moses was attracted to go closer to this awesome sight. It was then that God called to him from the middle of the bush. Telling him that he has seen the HUMILIATION and SUFFERING of his people -Israel in the land of Egypt and that he has also heard their cries and supplication. Now God sends Moses to Pharaoh -the king of Egypt to let the Israelites go.

As we know, the Israelites spent 430 years in Egypt under intense subjugation and suffering but now God decides to intervene in their situation to liberate them from all the oppressions they suffer in Egypt (Ex.3:17). This liberation is both physical and spiritual, because the human person cannot be saved or liberated in segments. Again, God's intervention in their situation shows us that, no matter the number of years one's ugly situation might last, one should never give up on God because no one is ever off God's radar of mercy.

Yes, we may not be able to explain properly why God allows the Israelites those long years of suffering in Egypt, but we can be pretty sure that every situation which God allows has a meaningful divine purpose. And God knows how to turn onto good every situation around us, provided we remain trustful.

Therefore, never give up in your life challenging situation. God sees your pains and hears your daily cry and supplication, and he is working towards your liberation and restoration. God never ignores the humiliation and suffering of anyone who trusts in Him.

In the Gospel Reading -Lk.13:1-9, some people arrived to tell Jesus about the uprising of Galileans in the Temple court and how Pilate slaughtered them and mingled their blood with that of their animal sacrifice. We are not informed why these people came to Jesus with the above story. However, Jesus uses the story to teach all of us that, those Galileans killed by Pilate are not more deserving of their gruesome fate than all other Galileans. In fact, as sinners we are all in urgent need of repentance.

Very often, when people experience misfortunes in life, some of us tend to make judgmental conclusions that, the victims of such misfortunes must have done something very grievous and terrible to merit them the misfortune they experience. Today, Jesus corrects such erroneous opinion by teaching us, that the victims of such misfortune are not more sinful than others. Rather their misfortune or untimely death should serve as a warning of what can happen to us unless we repent and change our ways and bear fruit that befits our fundamental Christian calling.

To nail his point, Jesus then tells the parable of the fig tree. In this parable, just as the fruitless fig tree is given a SECOND CHANCE (a period of grace) to bear fruit, so does God give us the gracious Lenten season to repent and change our ways for good.

Therefore, instead of allowing ourselves to get drowned in the ocean of self-complacency and judgmental imagination of the worst about others in their misfortunes, we should rather allow their 'MISFORTUNES' to wake us up from our spiritual slumber and move us towards making a positive attitudinal shift that would re-write our past. That is what we are all called to do within this season of Lent. Because every 'MISFORTUNE' out there, as well as 'HUMAN MISTAKE' are meant to reshape us for good. They are not meant to make us glory in self-complacency but rather they are fashioned to move us towards ATTITUDINAL SHIFT. And now is the favourable and gracious time to make this shift and change.

Let me conclude by saying that, in life, there are two types of regrets, the regret of the things one has done and the regret of the things one should have done. The later regret is more painful than the former, when the time is damn too late to make any shift. Meanwhile, the good news remains that, the Lenten season offers us the SECOND OPPORTUNITY to repent and to rewrite our past stories for good. Therefore, always to give the Lord Jesus the first place in your life and allow His principles and teachings to determine and colour your daily life, decisions and choices. Shalom!

Reflection by
Fr Damian Ikemefuna Ozokwere CSSp

(Please feel free to share with your contact after reading through)

21/03/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday, Br. Martin Huy! 🎉
Today we give thanks to God for the gift of your life and your beautiful vocation as a Spiritan. Your joyful spirit, kindness, and the way you live your calling are a blessing to our community.
May this special day be filled with love, peace, and countless graces. May the Lord continue to walk with you every step of your journey and bless your family with joy and health.
We are truly grateful for your presence among us.

🎉Once again, Happy birthday to you Br. Martin Huy🎉

15/02/2025

If you want to be a true SPIRITAN then come take up your cross and follow Jesus He is the master of the vineyard, our shepherd and guide. May He lead you to the perfect truth Amen 🙏🙏🙏.

09/02/2025

𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐂
(𝙸𝚜.𝟼:𝟷-𝟾, 𝙿𝚜.𝟷𝟹𝟽:𝟷-𝟻.𝟽-𝟾, 𝟷𝙲𝚘𝚛.𝟷𝟻:𝟷-𝟷𝟷 & 𝙻𝚔.𝟻:𝟷-𝟷𝟷)

𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

The Scripture as we know is replete with diverse stories of God's call to different individuals down the history of our salvation. In the readings of this Sunday, we see the awesome stories of God’s call to different individuals; the call of Isaiah, the call of Peter and other apostles to share in the ministry of winning souls for God. Reflecting on these vocation stories today would help us to evaluate our own Christian vocation and its demands.

The first reading from Isaiah.6:1-8, narrates the unique story of the call of Isaiah in the year of King Uzziah's death, in 740 BC. Isaiah had a vision of the glory of God with a great multitude of angels loudly crying out in worship, 'HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS.' In this vision Isaiah beholds the majesty and holiness of God. With this vision Isaiah realizes how unworthy he is in the presence of God, and in his bewilderment, he cries out, 'Woe to me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips, and yet my eyes have seen the Lord'.

Obviously, when we are confronted with the holiness of God, none of us can presume to be clean, rather we will become more aware of our imperfection and our inadequacy. It is like one examining one's cloths under a dim and faint light and feels so good that his cloth is wonderfully clean but would later be overwhelmed of the immensity of his cloth's dirt, the moment a brighter light appears.

So, by encountering the holiness of God, Isaiah became aware of his own imperfection, and he confesses his uncleanness with cries for divine cleansing. Instantly one of the angels flew to him and touched his lips with a live coal saying, 'Your sin is taken away and your iniquity is purged'. With this the voice of the Lord then calls, 'Whom shall I send? Who will be my messenger? Isaiah responds, 'Here I am Lord, send me. The awareness and acknowledgment of our sins will always bring us healing, forgiveness & closeness to God.

In the second reading from 1Cor.15:1-11, St Paul narrates how the Resurrected Christ appeared to Peter and to more than five hundred other brethren and lastly the Risen Lord also appeared to him (Paul) while he was still (a sinner) a persecutor of the Church, and the Lord commissioned him to be His apostle.

The Gospel reading from Lk.5:1-11, gives us the detailed story of the call of Peter and his companions as they went out to fish in the Lake of Gennesaret as fishermen. It happened that, all through the night Peter and his companions toiled in vain at the lake and caught practically nothing. In fact, in the morning they were tired and exhausted and were washing their nets, getting ready to go home. Behold, Jesus comes demanding to use their boat to sit and teach the crowds who were pressing around him to hear the Word of God.

After his teaching, Jesus told Peter and his companions to cast their net in the Lake for a catch. Wow! What an ungodly time for any reasonable fisherman to make a catch! Peter and his friends must have thought. Of course, day light had already broken and the fish must have gone into their various habitats.

However, Simon Peter replied, 'Master, we worked hard all through the night (the peak hour for any catch) and caught nothing, BUT SINCE YOU SAY SO, I will pay out the nets. At times God allows us to exhaust our human expertise to manifest his gracious power in our lives.

Peter and co trusting in Jesus' word and his power rather than in their own abilities and fishing expertise, obeyed Jesus and cast their nets into the lake. Behold, they netted so many fish that their nets began to break and they signalled their colleagues at the other end to come and help them. They came and filled their boats to sinking point. What a miracle of catch!

As disciples of Christ, we MUST learn to obey and give priority to the Lord's direction amidst the difficult and challenging moments of our lives. We MUST like Peter and his companions learn to trust and give the Lord every priority and to say; for example, 'Lord, I had wanted to give up my faith and stop going to Church, but...,’ ‘I had wanted to give up this marital relationship, but..,’ ‘I had wanted to give up this religious life or apostolate, but..., I had wanted to have my revenge this time around, but since you command otherwise, I give your word my priority.

Obviously, in our Christian vocation, OBEDIENCE TO JESUS' WORD is a necessary quality of a disciple, even when what Jesus demands may seem quite unreasonable to us. Yes, we may have been exhausted over the years trying diverse ways to solve our different personal and family problems or challenges, but all to no avail. No 'catch' and no 'success'. Just keep the faith. Don't give up. When Jesus comes into the scene there will certainly be a headway. There will not only be a 'catch' but a huge one.

Meanwhile, seeing the miraculous catch which they had made, Peter was so overwhelmed that he fell at the feet of Jesus in reverence. Peter was filled with a spirit of unworthiness, and pleads with Jesus to leave him alone, -a sinner and an unworthy person to come near Him. Such is the overwhelming expression of anyone who encounters the compassionate touch of the Lord. Jesus in response said to Peter and his colleagues not be afraid, and henceforth that they cease to be fishermen but to be fishers of men. What a special vocation to bring souls to God!

In conclusion, just like Isaiah, Peter, Paul and others, none of us is called in righteousness. Rather, we are all called as sinners to help call other sinners to repentance and bring them to God rather than to separate them from God. To carry out this mission is certainly not an easy one. It demands imbibing the GOSPEL VALUES OF CHRIST in our daily lives. It is only such that would inspire and move the hearts of the modern man more than any other thing to bring them to God.

Therefore, always endeavour to give the Lord Jesus the first place in the journey of your Christian vocation and allow His principles and values to determine and colour your life and daily decisions and choices.

Reflection by
Fr Damian Ikemefuna Ozokwere CSSp

(Please feel free to share with your contact after reading through)

Spiritan Formation Community Manila

25/03/2025

24/03/2025

22/03/2025

21/03/2025

15/02/2025

09/02/2025

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