INDANG, CAVITE — The Claretian Missionaries of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province officially welcomed a new international batch of postulants during a solemn Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Acceptance held on June 24, 2026, at the Postulancy Chapel here.
The six young men formally entering the postulancy program are Aung Ko Htet (Myanmar), Emmanuel Ilagan (Philippines), and Le Ngoc Hung, Nguyen Minh, Nguyen Tuan Anh, and Pham Trong Luong (Vietnam). Representing diverse cultural backgrounds, these candidates will undergo their formation under the guidance and care of the Postulant Director, Fr. Ralden Mercadejas, CMF. The celebration was graced by the presence of Fr. Amador Tumbaga, CMF, the Provincial Superior, alongside other Claretian missionaries, members of the Provincial Council, friends and benefactors.
A Vocation Rooted in Grace and Identity
In his homily, Fr. Amador Tumbaga, CMF (affectionately called Fr. Ama), offered powerful words of encouragement and direction for the new postulants. Reflecting on the profound meaning of a divine calling, Fr. Ama reminded the candidates that their formative journey must never begin with a sense of worthlessness. Instead, drawing inspiration from the Psalmist, he urged them to confidently claim their identity as unique individuals who are “wonderfully made” by God (Cf. Psalm 139). He connected this truth directly to the day’s Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, whose very name signifies the ultimate graciousness of God, emphasizing that every true vocation is an undeserved gift of divine grace.
Addressing the international composition of the batch, Fr. Ama highlighted the Claretian principle of convocation. Despite their differing languages, family backgrounds, and home countries—spanning Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines—God has deliberately gathered them to live as brothers. He clarified a vital distinction in their upcoming formation: the primary purpose of this journey is to shape them into religious missionaries first and foremost. Priesthood and brotherhood, he explained, are simply two distinct paths of living out the singular Claretian missionary charism.
The Call to Radical Transformation
Fr. Ama further outlined the specific objectives of the postulancy program, describing it as an essential “pre-novitiate” phase designed to prepare them for the more rigorous demands of the Novitiate. He noted that the program’s focus on human dimension modules and self-awareness is intended to foster deep personal growth. To build a solid foundation, he challenged the postulants to actively immerse themselves in Claretian history by studying the direct testimonies of the Claretian martyrs and reading the autobiography of St. Anthony Mary Claret, in preparation for a deeper charismatic understanding later in their formation.
Finally, the Provincial Superior underscored the radical detachment required by religious life. He called on the postulants to embrace a “progressive breaking of former ties,” pointing out that while leaving behind their homelands and families is a significant first step, it is not the ultimate end. The true goal of breaking old attachments is to assume new, vibrant allegiances—anchoring themselves completely to Jesus Christ, the Claretian congregation, and their new identity as missionaries. Concluding his message, Fr. Ama reminded them that while formators are there to accompany them, formation is ultimately a personal responsibility that requires them to be docile, humble, and completely open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
The Claretian community warmly invites all the faithful, lay collaborators, and benefactors to keep Aung Ko Htet, Le Ngoc Hung, Nguyen Minh, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Pham Trong Luong, and Emmanuel Ilagan in their daily prayers as they courageously take this next step in answering God’s missionary call.
by Fr. Wigbert M. Papa, CMF, Provincial Secretary
