In the mid-summer of 2011, two brothers from the Philippines arrived in Ramsey to embark on a new journey in their religious and priestly formation.
Br. Dominic Bryan San Jose, CRM and Br. Christopher Maige, CRM came on August 4th after making their simple profession of vows for the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers) a month ago.
The brothers started seminary training in their home country. Br. Dominic, 25, is third of nine siblings. He joined the Adorno Fathers after high school in 2004 and finished Bachelor of Arts (major in philosophy, minor in Religious Education) in 2008 at Holy Trinity College Seminary in Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines. A year later, he underwent a guided Regency Program (a year of rest from studies) while continuing to serve at his home parish. In 2010, after the program, he came back to the seminary to begin his Novitiate year.
Br. Christopher, 23, joined the Adornos a year after Br. Dominic. He is one of seven siblings. He finished Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, with a minor in Religious Education at the same seminary in 2009. A year later, he took a regency program under the guidance of Fr. Jun Abog, CRM, former rector of the seminary. After the regency, on the 3rd of July 2010, he was accepted into our Novitiate program with Br. Dominic under Fr. Jason Caganap, CRM as their Novice master.
Novitiate year is a time when candidates study the Constitutions and Rules of the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers) for one year while living Christian virtues to prepare themselves for their religious profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and humility at the conclusion of the program.
Most importantly, candidates devote themselves to prayer, learning and living the charism of the Order: to cultivate a life centered on the Paschal mystery of Christ drawn from the Eucharistic celebration and adoration. This prepares them for their pastoral service to the Church as members of the Order.
Their Novitiate ended on July 3, 2011 and they made their simple profession of vows before God and assemble people on July 9, 2011. The superior of the house in Vinzons received their vows, effective for three years. It will give them ample time to live faithfully the vows with the help of God and their brothers in the community before taking the vows ad vitam after all necessary formations.
Since their arrival, they have been busy preparing for their first year of theological studies. They are scheduled to start in September at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. “I had a strong conviction that God was calling me for this kind of life and I am starting to realize it right before my eyes. I have accepted it and I am willing to go on further in following the Lord,” according to Br. Dominic, who loves gardening and reading.
Our Order is growing and we add members to the family each year. When asked about being an Adorno Brother, Br. Christopher said, “I find myself part of a big religious family that strives to be holy by living the vows we professed. This is my life now! I am happy and content.” Br. Christopher likes reading as well as private meditation. He also likes to cook and manage the house.
The brothers reside at St. Michael’s House of Studies, Ramsey New Jersey together, with other religious brothers and priests. They both hope to become holy priests and faithful religious in the order of Clerics Regular Minor, whose lives are always for the greater glory of the risen Christ (AMRG).