The 25th Anniversary of Consecrated Life in the Somascan Congregation by Bro. Eugene Libut, CRS

Our Bro. Joseph Eugene Libut, CRS or Dr. Eugene Libut, Ph.Ed in academic circle, before the celebration of the Holy Mass commemorating the 25th Anniversary of his First Religious Profession in the Somascan Congregation.

Actually the Anniversary of Bro. Eugene is exactly this coming May 27, 2009. We decided to celebrate it earlier because of the presence of Fr. Provincial and the delegates of Casa Miani Foundation from the 5 branches it has in the Philippines.

The Holy Altar of the St. Jerome Emiliani Chapel

Bro. Eugene wanted a simple celebration and he wanted it to be a celebration among family and friends. Well, family here refers to the Somascan Religious and friends are the faculty and staff of our school and the guests who are lay coordinators of the Somascans in its 5 Houses of Charity.

Our Superior Fr. Lino Juta, CRS, our Provincial Superior Fr. Gabriele Scotti, CRS, Bishop Jesus Y. Varela, D.D. Bishop Emeritus of Sorsogon, Fr. Luigi Brenna, CRS superior of Casa Miani in Cebu and Vicar General of the Southeast Asia Vice Province, and our good friend Msgr. Francisco Monje.

Bishop Varela was invited because he was the one who invited the Somascan Order in Sorsogon and the one who guided and supported our growth in the same Diocese. Also, Msgr. Monje was the Vicar General during that time and he was most supportive of the Somascan Congregation.

Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS with the same company

After the Mass only a very short program followed consist of the Brother's Address which was also very short, a song touchingly rendered by Mr. Donovan and a song 'The Journey' by Ms. Lea Salonga performed by our High School faculty. Dinner followed with the guest in the Conference Hall while others were accommodated in a candle lit tables infront of the Conference Hall.

Frs. Joseph Don Castro, CRS and Santiago Gonzales, CRS

OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO BRO. EUGENE FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT IN HIS RELIGIOUS LIFE.

This is very special for me because Bro. Eugene, like Fr. Lino was my Prefect of Discipline and one of the Teachers in the Seminary during my early days. He's been very kind and supportive to the young seminarians then.

I was also honored to choose the motto for this event and I chose the words of St. Jerome Emiliani to Fr. Agostino Barili in his Epistula: "Let us pray that the Lord will grant us the grace to persevere until the end..." So, I chose that last portion and presented it to Brother and he was delighted. Thus, his motto for the occasion is: TO PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END!

May you really persevere Brother Eugene... until the end. And may the Lord grant us to achieve the same.

Frs. Manny Cuizon, CRS and Romel Ermita, CRS

Bro. Eugene exuding excitement before the Mass

The Commentator, Bro. Dexter Fernandez

Bro. Taz, if I'm not mistaken he is Anastacio. He, he, he...

Fr. Romel, Bro. Noel, Fr. Santy and Fr. Don

Fr. Don, Fr. Abe, Fr. Santy and Bro. Noel

Entrance Procession

The Mass with Bishop Varela as Celebrant

First Reading by Bro. Roel Lasay, a Sorsoganon

Bro. Roland Mañago during the Second Reading

Fr. Don reading the Gospel

Due to sudden interruption of electric supply Bro. Eugene made his renewal of profession under Candlelights.

Fr. Lino Juta, CRS giving Bro. Eugene a fraternal embrace after he pronounced the words of Consecration to God through the Evangelical Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience.

Fr. Santy, the former assistant of Bro. Eugene in Casa Miani, Lubao gave him the fraternal embrace.

After the Mass, Bro. Eugene delivered his remarks of gratitude

After the Brother's address one of the professors Mr. Donovan offered him a very touching Basil Valdez' song with spiritual reflection.

The High School Faculty serenading the School Director, Bro. Eugene

After watching the very short presentations the Bishop and the Priests posed for souvenir photos.

The young Somascan Religious joined in the photo session

Fr. Lino invited by young catechists from Tagaytay to join them in the photo shots

And I was not spared also

Our students from Sorsogon and Tagaytay becoming friends

During the dinner, Bro. Noel Sitchon, CRS [center] with the Basketball Varsity players Peter Avancena, Jose Credo and his brother, Jonathan Tan, Gilbert Jeniebre and one of our staff Gabby Valdez.

Bishop Varela and Fr. Gabriel joined by the other Somascan Fathers on the dining table.

The faculty members enjoying the food

Mrs. Julie Ann Cleto our Elementary School Vice Principal

Sir Aries, Joji, Dra. Lydia Aninipot and Betty

Dr. Lilia Forte, Engr. Labo, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Villanueva

Once of the foreign students serving as volunteer worker in one of our Houses for the Needy

Sir Mac and the choir members