THE ORDINATION TO THE ORDER OF DEACONS OF REV. ERWIN MANALANG, CRS AND REV. ENRICO BALDERRAMA, CRS Part 3

Rev. Enrico and Rev. Erwin with their parents

This is the third and final part of our presentation of the Ordination to the Diaconate of Rev. Erwin Manalang, CRS and Rev. Enrico Balderrama, CRS.

Rev. Enrico with his parents

After the Holy Mass the Bishop with the newly ordained and the concelebrants obliged for a group picture to record the event. Then the priests dispersed to the sacristy to remove the thick vestments and replaced them with a more comfortable one. While we were changing the newly ordained was not able to leave the alter because family, relatives and friends lined up for a photo shoot with the two.

Rev. Erwin with his dearest mother

The parents of the newly ordained were radiating with happiness as they beheld their newly ordained sons now shining in their vestments as Deacons. They are simple people but they radiate the dignity and honor of being parents who offered their best gifts to God - their own flesh and blood... their beloved sons.

The happiness of the mother simply overflows

On my part I was taking these shots while watching them with joy. But I was cut by friends who came to pay their respect, introduced their children to me for blessings and to chat with long time friends from the area. Some of our former students then are now happily married and they are so happy to see us again. I was also delighted to see the lady whom I helped in her journey from Aglipayan Church to the Catholic Church. She is now happily married to her husband in the Church and showed me their children.

Rev. Enrico surrounded by relatives

Then, when I went down to the Basketball court where the reception was held I got the chance to talk more with our Indonesian seminarians, with the nuns of various Orders and with our own seminarians. It is truly a blessing from the Lord to attend this kind of gathering. I was not only inspired by the Ordination itself but also touched by how much we as a Congregation and with other religious are so united with each other in the bond of faith and charity.

Rev. Erwin with relatives

It is a pity that I cannot identify many of the seminarians it is because after 6 years in Casa Miani I rarely got the opportunity to mingle with our seminarians. May the Lord grant us the grace of more vocations to priesthood and religious life.

Three of our Seminarians from Flores, Indonesia

I am no longer knowledgeable of the names of our seminarians, sorry guys. Hope the younger brothers can help me on this.

Some of the choir members after the Mass

Bro. Roger, CRS and Bro. Manuel Esguerra, CRS with the choir

Fr. Abe with Ate Alice once again

Sem. Raymond, now going to Postulancy. I know his name because he is from Sorsogon City and used to visit our community during his vacations

Rev. Enrico with the young Somascan Religious

Somascan Sister Emmy Matanguihan, CRS with other nuns

These young ladies are preparing for Consecrated Life here in the Philippines. They are from Flores, Indonesia while the young Somascan Seminarian is one of our Indonesians too Bro. Manuel, Sem. Raymond and company. If Im not mistaken the one giving the OK sign is an Indonesian.

The covered Basketball court of the Somascan Major Seminary where the reception was held

Bishop Tagle in spirited conversation with our Italian Fathers: Fr. Gabriele Scotti, CRS the father provincial, Fr. Cesare de Santis, CRS and Fr. Luigi Cucci, CRS the master of novices.

AITV5 Camera Man Jose Capsa with Bobby Agustin, the Arganiosa Family's driver.

Somascan Seminarians

Somascan Sisters shining in their religious habits

Fr. Augie, CRS [sitting] with Fr. Mike, CRS, Fr. Boyet, CRS and Fr. Frank, CRS accompanied by the Somascan Sisters

Fr. Abe, CRS joining the company

Bro. Ruben Galang, CRS with one of our beloved neighbors Sis. Jie of Siervas de San Jose

Fr. Abe, CRS and Sis. Jie, SSJ

The Newly Ordained joined us

Bishop Tagle still in deep conversation with Fr. Cesare, CRS

The young catechists of Tagaytay

Our Indonesian Seminarians enjoying the food while speaking in Filipino

Aspirants to consecrated life from Indonesia

Bro. Rey with the Seminarians who will go to Postulancy

Jose and Bobby again

Fr. Abe, CRS with the seminarians

Mamang Sorbetero or the Ice Cream Guy... in front of the gate of the Major Seminary this Sorbetero sells his delicious homemade icecream

The logo of the Somascan Order in front of the main gate of the Somascan Major Seminary in Tagaytay.

Jose Capsa in front of the Major Seminary

Jose Capsa in front of the Arganiosa family car just outside the gate of the Major Seminary, a minute before we left the place.