Monday, May 24, 2021
The solemnity of Pentecost, on May 23, 2021, has witnessed a very joyful occasion for the community of Saint Daniel Comboni in Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City and consequently for the whole Asia Delegation: The First Religious Profession of three young men: Bro. Romeo Avenida Boncales from the Philippines, Bro. Dominic Dang Thanh Sang and Bro. Peter Khoa Nguyen Tien from Vietnam.

It was only few days before that the strict lockdown had been relented and so providentially the solemn ceremony was held at the presence of a good number of invited guests, representative of other religious congregations, friends and benefactors. This however happened according to the protocol of the pandemic involving face mask and social distance. The Mass was shown on line and eagerly followed in the places of origin of the newly professed.

New religious professions in Quezon City, in the Philippines. The three young men with the formators Fr. Victor Tavares Dias (on the left)
and Fr. Pierpaolo Monella (on the right). The ceremony was presided by the Delegate Superior, Fr. David Domingues.

The ceremony took place in the afternoon and was presided over by the Delegate Superior, Fr. David Domingues with his well-known cheerful and energetic fashion, lifting up the spirits of the congregation that had experienced for too long the gloom of the pandemic. The new Religious professions took place during the Eucharistic celebration, after the homily. The whole congregation was happy to show their solidarity with the three young men by a strong round of applause.

The beautiful round chapel, the flower arrangement, the choir, the tasty food that all shared at the end:  everything made the occasion memorable.  To notice that this was the first group of Novices to reach their profession since the Novitiate was revived in the Asia Delegation two years ago: a reason of legitimate satisfaction for the Novice Master, Fr. Victor Tavares Dias and his socius, Fr. Pierpaolo Monella.

The First Religious Profession of three young men: Bro. Romeo Avenida Boncales from the Philippines, Bro. Dominic Dang Thanh Sang
and Bro. Peter Khoa Nguyen Tien from Vietnam.

The three newly professed received also their destination for the places where they will continue the study of theology: Bro Romeo will go to South Africa, and Bro. Peter and Dominic to Nairobi, Kenya. Their experience of Africa will give them a concrete preparation for being full Comboni missionaries.