After a five-year hiatus, the Pauline Juniors’ Annual Gathering resumed on December 27, 2023, at the Alberione Hall in Makati City. With a total of 36 participants, the event was attended by the juniors and formators from the Society of St. Paul (SSP), Daughters of St. Paul (FSP), Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM), and Sisters of the Good Shepherd (Pastorelle) that are in Luzon, Philippines.
“For most of you, if not all of you, this is your first Pauline Juniors’ Gathering,” remarked Fr. Khris Emmanuel Llacer, Formator of SSP Juniors, noting that those who attended the last Pauline Juniors’ gathering have already become perpetual professed members.
This year’s gathering featured a recollection talk, aside from fun games, team-building activities, and creative presentations. Sr. Nimfa Ebora, PDDM, was chosen as this year’s recollection speaker.
Reflecting on the theme, “Arise with the Beauty of Encounter of the Pauline Mission,” Sr. Ebora underscored how the Pauline Family began with insufficient resources and simplicity, likening it Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem that is marked by lack of grandeur. However, she reminded the juniors that from such humble beginnings, Jesus was still able to redeem humanity and the rest of creation. In a like manner, she exhorted the juniors not to be frustrated with their own insufficiencies and weaknesses, for like in Jesus’ example, they would still be able to be fruitful in their ministries and apostolate by God’s grace.
In their message to the juniors, the formators acknowledged the benefits of the Pauline Juniors’ Gathering.
“When we arrived, everyone was quiet. Only the SSPs were noisy, but they were talking amongst themselves. There was no fraternizing between the juniors of the different congregations. Because you did not know each other! But finally, after the group sharing and the activities, everyone started talking to one another,” commented Sr. Melba Lobaton, Formator of FSP juniors. The other formators also called on the juniors to keep the family spirit alive in the Pauline Family.
Hosted by the Society of St. Paul, this gathering was organized by Pauline Family Juniors Committee 2023, with Sr. Leini Margaret Billones, SJBP as Coordinator, Cl. Jay-Pee Peña, SSP as Asst. Coordinator, Sr. Aemy Esther Soo, FSP as Secretary, Sr. Laurin Kowal, FSP as Social Relation In-charge, and Sr. Dianne Therese V. Galapate, PDDM as Treasurer.
The Gathering concluded with a mass integrated with evening prayers in Mary Queen of Apostles oratory.
