On November 26, 2018, members of the three SCJ communities in Cagayan de Oro area, together with the Dehonian Youth, Lay Dehonians and friends, celebrated the SCJ Memorial Day. The celebration was held at the Sacred Heart Formation House and was presided by Fr. Joseph Butlig, SCJ, who on this day celebrated his fifth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.
On Saturday, July 14, 2018, started the XXIV General Chapter of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, known also as Dehonians or SCJs. The Chapter is being held at the General Curia in Rome and is being attended by seventy-seven (77) delegates plus one (1) invited guest.
The purpose of this assembly is election of the new administration, review the State of the Congregation, and to discern what are the current needs and challenges lying ahead of the Congregation.
Normally, the General Chapter is held every six years. The XXIV General Chapter is an exception. It occurs only three years after the previous General Chapter at which Fr. Heiner Wilmer, SCJ, was elected the superior general. On April 6, 2018, Fr. Heiner was appointed as bishop of Hildesheim, Germany. That appointment led to the calling of a General Chapter three years earlier than initially planned. Also, because of this the General Conference in Manila, going to be held at the same time as the Chapter, was cancelled.
The Chapter will end on July 27, 2018 at noon time. Hopefully, by July 21, 2018, the Congregation will have a new administration.
The General Chapter was preceded by the local chapters held in every entity with the purpose of electing delegates for the General Chapter and discernment of the present situation and needs.
The Philippines is being represented by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the Regional Superior and Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the official delegate chosen by the members of the Philippine Region.
The celebration of 175th Birth Anniversary of Fr. Leo Dehon, the Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, on March 14, 2018, was connected with the 6th anniversary of Erection of the Philippine Region and installation of the new administration.
The main celebration, held at 6:00 pm at the Sacred Heart Formation House in Cagayan de Oro City, was preceded by a meeting of all members of the Region. The meeting started with a short recollection, conducted by Fr. Delio Ruiz,SCJ, and adoration, followed by the proper agenda.
In the afternoon, during the Holy Eucharist presided by the outgoing regional superior Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the newly appointed superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, made his “Profession of Faith.” The new superior will be accompanied by four Councilors: Fr. Rico O. Lapinig,SCJ, Fr. Delio Ruiz, SCJ, Fr. Patrick L. Gutib, SCJ, and Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ.
From the left: Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, Fr. Rico O. Lapinig, Fr. Delio Ruiz, Fr. Patrick L. Gutib, and Fr. Janusz Burzawa
The celebration, as usual, was attended by the SCJs from all communities, members of the Dehonian Family, religious, and friends.
We wish all the best to the new administration and support it with prayers!
The celebration of the 174th Birth Anniversary of Fr. Leo John Dehon on March 14, 2017, in Cagayan de Oro Formation House was composed of two main parts: short recollection in the morning and Holy Eucharist in the afternoon.
The recollection was prepared and guided by Fr. Rico Lapinig, SCJ, the Master of Aspirants. In his reflection, Fr. Rico focused on the three temptations of Christ in the life of priests and religious today. The participants were asked to identify the different temptations in life, which on one hand can lead to a sin, but if rejected to a personal growth. They were also asked to share what are their inner strengths in rejecting the temptations and how do they try to preserve their priesthood and religious life and grow in holiness.
In the afternoon, members of the Dehonian Family, which also include the Dehonian Youth Missionaries and Lay Dehonians, employees and friends of the Priests of the Sacred Heart joined the concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass, presided by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ. Before the end of the Mass, members of the Dehonian Youth Missionaries made their renewal of commitment. As usual, the celebration was followed by a common meal.
On August 12, 2016, two formation communities in Manila and Cagayan de Oro joined the congregation-wide celebration of 91st Death Anniversary of the Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Venerable Fr. Leo John Dehon (1843 – 1925).
In Manila, the celebration of the Founder was at the same time a Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Sergio Matumoto, SCJ, who was ordained a priest last June 3, 2016, in Brazil and just returned to the Philippines. The community was joined by the members of the three nearby pastoral communities.
In Cagayan de Oro, Fr. Rico Lapinig, SCJ, who just returned from the World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, was the main celebrant. In his homily, Fr. Rico combined the life message of the Founder and of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The celebration was attended by SCJs from Aluba Parish and Dansolihon, Lay Dehonians, Dehonian Youth and friends.
SCJ Philippines Region 