On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened an extraordinary two-year global consultation process leading to the 2023 Synod on Synodality. His Holiness explicitly expressed that “we, as one People of God must journey together, in order to experience a Church that receives and lives this gift of unity and is open to the voice of the Spirit.” (Address of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Opening of the Synod, Saturday, 9 October 2021).

The Adorno Fathers and Brothers (CRM) respond enthusiastically to Pope Francis’ invitation on journeying together by bringing each one closer to Jesus. As a concrete response, the CRM-Vinzons community opens its door to all who want to experience the real and loving presence of God. This humble community provides different programs and activities namely: Holy Mass, Confession, Retreat, Recollection, Lectio Divina, Spiritual Conferences and Catechetical instruction for children and adults, which greatly contribute to the spiritual nourishment of God’s people.

Coinciding with this year of Synodality and the Twentieth (20th) Anniversary of the CRM Presence and Mission in the Philippines, it is noteworthy to witness the presence of the Lay Association of St. Francis Caracciolo (LASFC). This association started in Italy many years ago. It was established in order to carry out socially useful activities through the coordination and promotion of spiritual, ecclesiastical, social and charitable activities and also by initiating and organizing different programs to benefit the Adorno Fathers. In particular and without limitation, the intention of the Association is to spread the spirituality and work of the Adorno Fathers by following in the footsteps of St. Francis Caracciolo through his thoughts and works. The Association is always in tune with the Order of Clerics of Regular Minor founded by him. (Article 3, Lay Association of St. Francis Caracciolo By Laws St. Joseph Parish, 40 Spring St., Lodi, NJ USA 07644)

What a beautiful gift for this year’s celebration! Despite the diverse trials brought by this pandemic, the LASFC was providentially realized in Vinzons, Camarines Norte through the efforts of Br. Michael L. Inovero, CRM and Br. Michael George H. Mercado, CRM under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Madridejos Jr., CRM, Chaplain and Local Superior. It was formally launched during the Eucharistic celebration in the Sanctuary of Jesus, the Risen Lord this past December 5, 2021. This association is blessed with twenty (20) aspiring members. The CRM community believes that through this initiative; we will be able to enter a process of communal discernment, dialogue, and encounter with our Rising Christ.

The important objectives of LASFC are to support the Adorno Brothers and Fathers in their activities in the Church and to let the people in the community know about the activities, missions, and spirituality of the Adorno Fathers in the Philippines. It includes the promotion of devotion to our beloved founder St. Francis Caracciolo.

Br. Inovero, CRM and Br. Mercado, CRM worked hard in establishing the LASFC in the Philippines and in December 2021, the group has finally laid out the plans and has accomplished so many in a short span of time. These are as follows:

  1. Regular meetings that focus on spiritual formation and biweekly agenda every first and third Sundays of the month.
  2. Every fourth Sunday, the Mass at the seminary is animated by the LASFC and is called “The Lay Association of St. Francis Caracciolo Sunday Mass”. This means that the Lay Adornos are pledged to help the seminarians to prepare the seminary chapel for the fourth Sunday Mass each month.
  3. The Lay Adornos launched the Dalaw Patron. This is similar to the concept of the block rosary. The objective of this program is to promote the devotion to St. Francis Caracciolo and at the same time to promote the love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The families also pray for the intentions of Pope Francis, Father General, for an increase of vocations to the Adorno Fathers and for the sanctification and success of the Adorno Missions.
  4. An important and essential part of the program of the Dalaw Patron, is for the Lay Adorno coordinators to pray with the family where the relic and image of Saint Francis Caracciolo are being venerated. The coordinators join the family in praying the novena prayers and at the same time taking the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship with those who attend.

As the “Lay Association of St. Francis Caracciolo-Philippines” is still in its initial planning, more programs will be added in the coming months as the association brainstorms and thinks of the best ways to carry out their missions and give glory to the Rising Lord.

By: Fr. Michael Inovero, CRM and Sem. John Aldrin A. Ilao
-Vinzons, Philippines