Today, on June 28, 2019, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, three (3) SCJ Novices from the Philippines, Agustin M. Indangan Jr., Aldrin R. Ayaton, and Carl Ryan N. Opeña, made their commitment to God in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By the profession of three vows: Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, they declared their readiness  and will to follow Jesus more closely. They were preparing for this moment for almost fourteen (14) months under the guidance of the Novice Master Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ and Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ, the “Socius.” Together, with eight (8) Vietnamese Novices, who made their First Profession of vows in Vietnam last May 31, 2019, they have had been learning about the Congregation, the Founder, vows and religious life.

The ceremony that was held on the 141 anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, took place at the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, and was attended by the SCJ confreres from the area of Pagadian, Cagayan de Oro, and Manila, family members and friends of the newly professed religious. The vows were accepted by the Regional Superior, Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ.

The newly professed will move to the Manila Community at the Dehon House, where they will study Theology and prepare themselves further for the ordination to the priesthood.

On the same day, in the afternoon, the SCJ area of Cagayan de Oro celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the patronal feast of the Congregation. The concelebrated Mass was presided by Fr. Ruel C. Paalisbo, SCJ, who offered this Holy Eucharist as a Thanksgiving Mass for the gift of his vocation and ordination. After the homily all SCJs renewed their act of oblation made 141 years ago by their founder Venerable Fr. Leo John Dehon.