Perpetual Profession in the Philippines

How about celebrating a perpetual profession in a far-flung Sitio, Tonggo, Barangay Namut of the Municipality of Tudela, Misamis Occidental?   This was the desire of our Subanen sister, Delma Montac Barrientos RNDM.  It would be an opportunity for the Religious of Notre Dame of the Missions (RNDM) to meet her people, the Subanens, an indigenous group.   The people of Tonggo, with enthusiasm and immense generosity, welcomed the idea as well as the challenge of hosting such a big event.   With creativity and resourcefulness, all the needed preparations were done, including the renovation of the small chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe.   But there will always be an element of surprise!  On the day itself, rain poured heavily and there was a power cut to top it all.  However, the perpetual profession was  celebrated with fullness  of  meaning.    Fr.    Brendan Kelly, MSSC, the  homilist, also the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, was moved by the occasion and mused that the event marked a meeting of the Subanen culture and people and Christianity in a deep way.  The perpetual profession was presided over by Bishop Jose Cabantan, DD of the Diocese of Malaybalay and Vice-chairperson of the Catholic Bishops’