A spirit of prayer, gratitude, and joyful fellowship filled the Sacred Heart Formation House in Cagayan de Oro City on November 6, 2026, as SCJ priests, seminarians, and benefactors gathered for the First Friday celebration. It was another opportunity to come together around the Heart of Jesus, give thanks for God’s blessings, and strengthen the bonds of faith and friendship.

The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Ronald Basco, SCJ, who also celebrated his birthday on this day. In his homily, Fr. Basco reflected on two important dimensions of Christian life: belonging and stewardship. He reminded everyone that our deepest belonging is to Christ and that this belonging should be reflected in the way we welcome, accept, and care for one another. A Christian community is not simply a group of people who gather together; it is a family in which everyone should feel valued and encouraged.

He also emphasized that everything we have—our time, talents, abilities, relationships, and material resources—is entrusted to us by God. We are not simply owners of these gifts but stewards, called to use them responsibly and generously for the good of others. In this sense, the generosity of the benefactors is a concrete expression of Christian stewardship. True belonging to Christ, he reminded everyone, means taking responsibility for one another and sharing what we have.

At the conclusion of the Mass, a special prayer was offered for the departed brothers and sisters whose names had been submitted by benefactors from across the Philippines. They were remembered with gratitude and entrusted to God’s loving mercy.

The celebration continued with a few moments of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, followed by the veneration of the relic of Blessed Martino Capelli, SCJ, recalling his faithful witness and dedication to Christ.

The evening concluded with a common supper, where conversations, smiles, birthday greetings, and warm wishes created an atmosphere of family and friendship.

The First Friday celebration once again strengthened the bonds between the SCJ community and its benefactors. It was a reminder that we are more than members of a community: we belong to one family, united in faith, generosity, and a shared mission.

The SCJ community extends its heartfelt gratitude to all benefactors for their prayers, generosity, and continued support of the formation and mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines.

We belong to Christ, and we show this belonging by caring for one another and sharing the gifts God has entrusted to us. May the Heart of Jesus continue to unite and bless our Dehonian family, and may all our departed brothers and sisters rest in His eternal peace.