Our two junior brothers Peter and John are adjusting well in their new community life at Arrupe. Besides their daily Junior program routine, they are also engaged in their language studies that will equip them for academic formation. Our old timers, the philosophers and theologians, constantly give them help and support.
Aside from the daily examen, our philosopher brothers Francis, Aloysius, PJ, Andrew and the two Pauls are busy as usual with their philosophy papers, exams, researches, etc, without losing much of their hair.
Though the philosophy loads are relatively heavy, our Philo brothers find time to exercise. They are the most ecstatic fans of basketball, despite occasional slight injuries. PJ and Andrew kicked the balls even harder a day following a minor accident. Playing basketball is not only meant to exercise but an opportunity to engage one another and being with one another.
Aloysius, PJ and Francis truly surprised their teacher on how the spirit of Magis moves them. When one of their philosophy professors dramatically and in a rush demanded more pages for their writing, changing the required 25 pages to 50 pages for three term papers, this did not make our philosophy brothers diffident for philosophical learning. It rather inspired them to do the Magis; they wrote more than what the teacher required.
The theologians continue to stay at the Manila Observatory while Peter still resides at Arrupe with his usual relaxed spirit and mind. He enjoyed most of the courses he took, if not all, especially pastoral ministry, his future ministry. John, our medical doctor, after his East Timor regency experience, is very determined. With a zealous heart and fervent spirit, he tackles his theological formation. He also takes care of house health. Joseph slows down, enjoys more leisure time and the trees and flowers. Sometimes, he does some writing or translation. People say you can find him either in the dining room or one of the corners in the library, or in the football field during weekends.
To enhance their union, the Chinese brothers hold regular monthly meetings with different topics or sometimes with Jesuit guest speakers. They are very much enriched from these gatherings and sharing in the Lord for common mission though they are very much different in age, in background and in formation stage.
Once per semester they go out for a Chinese meal as table fellowship. They do hope that by each one’s efforts, openness and contribution, this little Chinese community, now with 11 members, will grow healthier and stronger, and will continue to be academically competent, spiritually well grounded, apostolically motivated for Christian discipleship, renewed evangelization, social transformation and responsible stewardship of the world, especially with the mission and vision for church and people in China.
After hurdling various visa and passport requirements, with the generous help of many, and with the grace of God and the intercession of Mother Mary, the brothers were cleared to travel to Hong Kong to attend the first meeting of Chinese scholastics that would be held from the last week of October till early November. Only Francis has encountered some problem. Let’s pray harder for him and for his documents so that he could join the meeting as soon as possible. May this meeting be a very blessed and fruitful moment for all of them.