Heavy rains did not dampen the spirit of the Paulines. Undeterred by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, priests, brothers, and cleric-juniors of the Society of St. Paul converged in Makati for the II Provincial Assembly of the Philippines-Australia Province, held August 17–19, 2026.
Under the theme “One in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28), the three-day Assembly drew members from Makati, Pasay, Silang, Cavite, San Fernando, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Australia for discernment, dialogue, planning, and fraternity.
The Assembly unfolded at OMNIA+ (One Mission Network for Integral Apostolate) Studios, Alberione Hall, and the Sanctuary of St. Paul the Apostle, serving as venues for communal deliberations, prayer and Masses, and moments of fellowship.
A Gift and a Task
In his Convocation Letter, Provincial Superior Fr. Mario S. Sobrejuanite, SSP, recalled Blessed James Alberione’s vision of the Pauline community as an association of religious whose efforts converge in wholehearted service to God and the Church:
“An organization… of religious, where endeavors merge, where dedication is total and doctrine clearer.” — Abundantes Divitiae Gratiae Suae, no. 24
The Assembly brought this vision into conversation with the concrete realities of the Province. To be one in Christ is both a gift and a task. Unity is received from Christ, but it must be made visible in the way members listen, discern, collaborate, and live together.
“What Do We Still Lack?”
The Assembly opened with a Votive Mass in honor of St. Paul the Apostle, presided over by Fr. Raymond C. Ferraris, SSP, Local Superior of Makati, with Rev. Haileth Gem Joseph J. Enarsao, SSP, as assisting deacon.
Reflecting on the Gospel of the rich young man (Mt 19:16–22), Fr. Ferraris focused on the question: “What do I still lack?”
It became a fitting question for the Assembly. Beyond asking What have we accomplished?, the members were invited to ask: What do we still lack? What needs to change? What might we need to let go of?
The reflection offered a timely caution: the greatest danger may not be doing nothing, but doing many things without stopping to discern whether they are still what the Lord asks of us.
Taking Stock of the Mission
The first day featured reports on the financial, apostolic, and formative dimensions of the Province.
Reports were presented by Fr. Ludovico E. Tacdoro, Jr., SSP, Provincial Bursar; Fr. Brian L. Tayag, SSP, Finance Director; Fr. John Klen M. Malificiar, SSP, Director General for Apostolate (DGA); Fr. Leopoldo V. Botavara III, SSP, Coordinator General for Formation (CGF); and Fr. Tacdoro, Team Leader of the St. Paul Seminary Foundation, Inc. (SPSFI).
Between sessions, ST PAULS Bookstore Managers also met to address concerns related to diffusion and apostolic activities.
The first day concluded with Vespers, bringing the day’s discussions back to prayer and communal discernment.
Listening to the Communities
The second day turned to parish ministry, the Pauline Cooperators and Aggregated Institutes, and the realities of the local communities.
Reports were presented by Fr. Cris Robert C. Cellan, SSP, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (OLSP) and President of the Our Lady of Sorrows Foundation, Inc. (OLSOFI); Fr. Feliciano P. Marquez, Jr., SSP, Administrator of St. Peregrine Chapel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro; and Fr. Ramil D. Tapang, SSP, Provincial Delegate for the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APC) and Aggregated Institutes, which includes the Institute of the Holy Family (IHF), Institute of St. Gabriel the Archangel (ISGA), Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation (IOLA), and Institute of Jesus the Priest (IJP).
Local Superiors then presented the accomplishments, current concerns and action plans, and future projects of their respective communities:
* Fr. Teotimo S. Melliza, SSP – Davao
* Fr. Rene S. Tañeza, SSP – Cagayan de Oro
* Fr. Pablo A. Yntig, SSP – Cebu, whose report was read by Rev. Mark Anthony S. Puyong, SSP
* Fr. Leonardo E. Ellezar, SSP – Iloilo
* Fr. Leopoldo V. Botavara III, SSP – Silang, Cavite
* Fr. Jerome J. Palma, SSP – San Fernando, Pampanga
* Fr. Raymond C. Ferraris, SSP – Makati
* Fr. Restie P. Dela Peña, SSP – Pasay
* Fr. Michael Goonan, SSP – Australia
The day concluded with a Votive Mass in honor of Mary, Queen of Apostles, presided over by Fr. Rene S. Tañeza, SSP, Local Superior of Cagayan de Oro, with Rev. Puyong as assisting deacon.
In his reflection, Rev. Puyong turned to the rhythm of the sun, sunrise, midday, and sunset, to speak of the different seasons of religious life. Sunrise speaks of beginnings and promise; midday, of strength, labor, and contribution; sunset, of wisdom, waiting, and surrender. The brightest work may happen at midday, but sometimes the best view comes at sunset. Every season, he reminded the Assembly, has something to offer, and every member has a place in the mission.
Looking Toward the Future
The third day focused on major projects and the future direction of the Province.
Mr. Jun Pasco of Superserve Corporation and his staff, together with Arch. Kristher Sanchez of Archkos Construction and Development Corporation, Hermie Sanchez, and Cristy Sanchez, members of the Institute of the Holy Family, provided updates on major Congregational projects.
Fr. Mario S. Sobrejuanite, SSP, meanwhile, presented the Province’s progress and continuing challenges in implementing the IX Provincial Chapter Programmatic Document (2023–2027).
More than a report on achievements and unfinished work, the presentation underscored a shared responsibility: the Province’s direction cannot rest on the Provincial Superior and Council alone. Every member has a part in carrying it forward.
The Person Behind the Mission
One of the Assembly’s significant reflections was offered by Fr. Philipp Neil A. Cruz, Director of the Galilee Center, Tagaytay.
He reflected on three basic human needs: lovability, capability, and security. When these needs remain unattended, they can lead to woundedness and a persistent sense of lack, affecting priestly, religious, apostolic, and community life.
The reflection invited members to recognize these human realities while remembering that their deepest fulfillment ultimately comes from God.
In this light, individual and communal prayer, ongoing formation, and openness to appropriate professional intervention become essential—not as signs of weakness, but as means of healing, growth, and renewed fidelity to vocation and mission.
A Community in Constant Magnificat and Miserere
The Assembly concluded with a Thanksgiving Votive Mass in honor of Jesus Master, Way, Truth, and Life, presided over by Provincial Superior Fr. Mario S. Sobrejuanite, SSP, and concelebrated by the members of the Provincial Council: Fr. Khris Emmanuel L. Llacer, SSP, Provincial Vicar and Provincial Councilor for Formation and Healthcare; Fr. Cris Robert C. Cellan, SSP, Provincial Councilor for Apostolate, Finance, and Human Resources Management and Development (HRMD); Fr. Nestor Z. Candado, SSP, Provincial Councilor based in Australia; and Fr. Angelo Paolo O. Asprer, SSP, Provincial Councilor and Provincial Secretary and Assembly Overall Coordinator.
The celebration also included the presentation of plaques of appreciation to benefactors Erwin and Darlene Zshornack and Willy + and Vicky Sy for their support of the Pauline mission.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Assembly was enriched by medical examinations, bowling, movie watching, live music, and shared meals and camaraderie, complemented by coffee prepared by Fr. Albert O. Garong, SSP, known as “Fr. Brews.”
The smooth coordination of the three-day gathering was supported by the Secretariat headed by Fr. Ronel B. Delos Reyes, SSP, and his team, with the assistance of Fr. Keiv Aires P. Dimatatac, SSP, ST PAULS Audiovisuals (SPAV) Manager and his team, and Cl. Edward Christian E. Enebrad, SSP, Provincial Services Office (PSO) Manager.
The Assembly ends. The journey continues.
One in Christ Jesus. One in mission. Still becoming one.
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