Send-off for missionaries to Vietnam, Northern Marianas

Provincialate, QUEZON CITY – Three Recollect friars were commissioned in a simple send-off rite during a holy mass in celebration of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 here at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish church.

Prior Provincial, Fray Bernard Amparado, officiated the rite “to ask God’s blessing on the new heralds of the Gospel” to be sent to foreign missions in compliance with the Life and Mission Project (LAMP) of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno for this triennium 2022-25.

The three missionaries, Frays Allan Jacinto and Helfrid Palmis, will compose the pioneering group to the Diocese of Xuan Loc in Vietnam, and Fray Roderick Deguit will complete the four-member Recoletos community in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

The compliance of number 72 of the Province’s LAMP that states, “To start the Augustinian Recollect presence in Vietnam,” comes at a time when the Order has just received the first Vietnamese Recollect member of the Province two months ago.

In accord with “the criteria and procedure in opening, continuing or withdrawing from our mission apostolates” (LAMP 33), Fray Deguit’s new appointment will boost the presence and pastoral works of the brothers both in Saipan and in Rota.

A former missionary to the Amazons in Brazil and in Bocas del Toro, Panama, Fray Jacinto, 45, professed his religious vows on April 26, 2003 and was ordained a priest on August 19, 2007.

Fray Deguit, 45, was also a missionary to the Amazons (Brazil) although his assignment there was cut short by the recent pandemic. He professed his vows on April 27, 2002 and was ordained a priest on March 29, 2008.

Among the three, Fray Palmis, 38, is a neophyte to foreign missions. He professed his vows on June 29, 2018. Having recently completed his theological studies at the Recoletos School of Theology in Miranila, he was recommended for Vietnam as part of his pastoral year prior to solemn profession.

The sending of these outbound missionaries, according to Fray Anthony Morillo, President of the Secretariat of Mission and Ministerial Apostolate, is particularly in tune with the “mission ad gentes” theme of the 500^th Year of Christianity in the Philippines as well as with Pope Francis’ call for an evangelizing Church that “goes forth.”

The concelebrated holy mass in honor of Mama Mary, aptly called the “Queen of Missions,” was presided over by another birthday celebrator, Fray René Paglinawan.