CEBU TRIP, Part 3 First Look at Casa Miani in Cebu, the Seminary and their Occupants

Our 7 Seminarians from the South, the first occupants of the Formation House in Minglanilla, Cebu

We arrived in Mactan Airport at about 4:30m. After getting our luggage we were met by Fr. Luigi Brenna, CRS and Fr. Gabriele Scotti, CRS outside the Airport. Fr. Luigi drove us from Mactan to Minglanilla and for the first time we saw the beauty of our new House. Truly a House worthy of the Grace of God for the poor.

The Seminarians again before the image of St. Jerome Emiliani inside the sala of the Formation House.

When we entered we were immediately greeted by our confreres in the Community: Fr. Menandro 'Nanding' Rivera, CRS, Bro. Ronald Badillo, CRS and Bro. Narciso Tiburcio, CRS. The boys run into our arms to pay their respect and to hug us as if we are old, dear relatives returning home.

The first seven Boys of Casa Miani Cebu. They look so handsome and cute, even better than the Seminarians and the Priests. He,he,he... We praise the Lord for giving them the grace of being taken cared of by the Sons of St. Jerome Emiliani otherwise these handsome boys are still beggars on the streets.

Being late in the afternoon the Seminarians have finished their class and they are at home in shirts and short pants because they were working, cleaning the house in preparations for the coming festivity. Our seminarians are not living like bosses inside the seminary. They are the one cleaning the house and arranging things as part of their training for life of service to the children and the poor.

The Seminarians inside the refectory waiting for the Fathers to bless the Meal

Just like the other Casa Miani the House is very clean, modest and simple, but beautiful and practically useful. The facilitation of sunlight is excellent, the flow of air is superb as well due to numerous windows and the colors very soothing to the eyes and the heart. It is a home and it is a TASTE OF HEAVEN.

The Seminarians serving the tables. Waiting for food from the kitchen which they will serve on tables.

Just looking at this house me of the famous song: "AND NOW, LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG, LET THE POOR SAY I AM RICH BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US... GIVE THANKS..."

Inside the kitchen and the ladies assigned there. Cleanliness and order is a must in every Somascan kitchen especially in Houses for Needy Children.

Ha,ha,ha... The two boys who used to come to me every hour to ask for photos. I told them that I obliged because they are like 'angels'. Well, they are.

Bro. Antonio Galli, CRS from our General Curia in Rome greeting us: Ms. Carpio, Mr. Amistoso, Fr. Javier, CRS and his sister and Fr. Augie, CRS.

The boys in the refectory