PHILIPPINES - “Everything is gift, all is grace.”
One might find the above mentioned difficult to fathom, which is why people always stick to whatever it is they planned—down to the smallest of details. For the De La Salle Brothers, there are conventional ways of doing things. Usually, one must enter the brotherhood at a relatively young age. After years of formation and discernment, they must prepare to live out their lives as a De La Salle Brother in perpetuity after their “Final Vows” ceremony, which often falls on a weekend. But then, there was Br. John…
“Now, why did Brother John break tradition and choose a Thursday instead of a weekend for his final vows? His choice goes beyond the 4th Joyful Mystery, or Mary’s Purification, or Candelaria. It’s because today is the World Day for Consecrated Life,” Br. Victor Franco FSC, Br. John’s mentor, mused in his homily during the said event.
The supposed Final Vows of the Senior Young Brother was set on the third Sunday of January, but for some reason was postponed. His second option was unconventional in itself—a Thursday, February 2 which celebrated the consecrated lives lived by people akin to Simeon and Anna in the Bible. Like them, Br. John has spent his life waiting on God’s call and finally, his “heart was ready”.
“Today, February 2, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is significant not because of me but “It is the Lord” as the responsorial psalm reminds us. Colossians 3:11 - Christ is all and in all. Y Kristo ing sabla ampong atiu ya king sabla,” the Pampanga-born Brother expressed.
Br. John’s journey is a perfect manifestation of how God orchestrates every little detail in a person's life. Plans might get foiled and paths might derail, but God is always intentional. No matter where Br. John is led from here on, it is exactly a part of God’s grand masterplan, because indeed, everything is gift and all is grace. (Text: Ms. Kristine Anne E. Villarosa - SJS-LS Vice Principal; Photos: DLSP-CORE)
