April 9, 2024 (Day 2). The second day of the SMP General Assembly 2024 started with the Morning Prayers, Meditation and Lauds led by Bro. Joseph Chu Ngoc Kien, RCJ. The Holy Mass followed with Fr. Alvin Fulgencio RCJ, who celebrates his 25th sacerdotal anniversary, as the presider. Fr. Jose Maria Ezpeleta, RCJ and Fr. Antonio Nocellado RCJ were the main concelebrants – with the latter also prayerfully remembering the day of his birth.

Right after the breakfast, the morning session commenced at the Rogationist College - Cavite Auditorium with the Report of the Provincial Government on its accomplishments, which was delivered by Fr. John Francis Aberion, RCJ. Fr. Jessie Martirizar, RCJ was given the opportunity to announce to the confreres the ongoing development of the website and Facebook page of the Circumscription, while Fr. Ronaldo Paulino, RCJ, presented the SMP Code of Conduct. There was also time given to other priest confreres to report their latest community projects. Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ, informed the confreres of the proposal of creating Permanent Commissions, which will not be coterminous with the Provincial Government, to ensure the continuity in their functions. He also announced the proposed official naming of the Rogationist Priestly Alliance and of the Provincial Rogate Center. Fr. Dante Quidayan, RCJ, for his part, reported to the Assembly the work they are doing for the deaf community in Cebu City. These were followed by a short talk of the Vicar General, Fr. Jose Maria Ezpeleta, RCJ, who started by reading through the message of the General Superior, Fr. Bruno Rampazzo, RCJ. The morning sessions ended with the Midday Prayers, preceded by a prolonged Open Forum, which welcomed varying interventions from the participants.

A good portion of the afternoon session was spent discussing the synodal process of the Spiritual Conversation, which the Assembly wishes to follow. Sufficient time was allotted for the presentation of the Provincial Superior’s response to the different questions and comments brought forward during the Open Forum earlier. The remaining hours of the day was spent in prayer, in preparation for the activities slated the next day. Following the Vespers, the confreres went to the St. Anthony’s Boys Village-Cavite for dinner, during which a simple celebration for Fr. Fulgencio was held. The Assembly participants were also given time for games within the day.

Definitely, the religious vibrantly spent their day through reports, discussions, socialization/recreation, and most of all, through prayers, which vitally and undeniably contributed to their efforts towards synodality and fraternity in a Rogationist-SMP way. May the Lord of the harvest unceasingly bestow His bounty on this family.

Send, O Lord, Holy Apostles into Your Church.