Quezon City, Philippines. Claretian Aspirants at the Claret Formation Center gathered on September 22, 2025, for a significant session focused on brotherhood, vocation, and the Church’s prophetic role in society.
Brotherhood and the Claretian Vocation
The assembly began with an interaction featuring Bro. Joseph Roy Villarin, CMF, who shared profound insights into Brotherhood. Bro. Joseph emphasized the community’s identity as religious missionaries and highlighted the concept of “one Claretian vocation/charism, with three distinct but equal expressions.”
He also presented vocation as a fundamental gift/grace that leads believers to the fullness of life, stressing that it stems essentially from our baptism. His message reinforced the shared spiritual foundation and mission that binds the Claretian community.
Levelling Off After EDSA Protest Participation
Following Bro. Joseph’s interaction, the Filipino Claretian Aspirants who participated in the recent protest rally on EDSA last September 21, 2025, underwent a “levelling off” session. This important conversation was facilitated by Fr. Arvin Bellen, CMF, the Prefect of Apostolate and head of the Solidarity & Mission (SOMI).
The session aimed to process the aspirants’ experiences and deepen their theological understanding of protest and social action.
Key Points of Discussion
The discussion included a reflection on the core meaning of protest, with the following statement being clarified:
“Levelling off of our understanding on why do we protest, ang protesta ay pagpanig sa bayan ng Diyos na binabalahura at ninanakawan ang kanyang kinabukasan (a protest is taking the side of God’s people, whose future is being desecrated and stolen). It is righteous to shout because silence is taking the side of the oppressor.”
Participants were encouraged to “go beyond personal biases and fears” (na kahit may pangamba ay mas mahalaga ang maging boses at daluyan ng hustisya at katotohanan), prioritizing the role of being a voice and channel for justice and truth over apprehension.
A key awakening for the group was the clarification that the protesters (raliyista) are not paid, which was deemed fitting for a Claretian. Taking a stand against corruption (katiwalian) and reflecting on how to be an agent against it—even when entrenched in large systems—was recognized as “part of being a Christian and a Claretian Missionary.”
Deepening the Prophetic Role
Crucial points of deepening highlighted the Church’s clear alignment:
- The Church has a bias: the Gospel message, truth, justice, accountability, and the “preferential option for the poor.”
- The conversation reinforced the prophetic character of our charism as philosophy students in formation: the call to be vigilant, critical, and deeply immersed in the realities of society.
The session concluded with the powerful realization that it’s “a continuation of the SOMI conversation, a chance to listen to the seminarians’ experiences and learn from each other,” noting that “Marami ang may alam subalit iilan lang ang nakikialam” (Many are knowledgeable, but only a few are involved).
