Asp. Raphy M. Gordon Rev. Fr. Jean Mary Robert de La Mennais
Mail:raphygordon@yahoo.com
CP#:09295694280 FOUNDER
I am, Raphy M. Gordon, from Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique, Philippines 20 years of age, graduated at the Barangbang National High school San Remigio, Antique, a La Mennais Aspirant since 2008-2010. I am a college student at the University of San Augustine, Iloilo City, Philippines. 2nd year college student and taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. Son of Mr. Claudio Gordon and Mrs.Gemma Gordon, Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique. I came from the poor family and my mother is already gone. I live with my father and my sister. My daughters name Myline Geane Gordon. She’s working, at the little store in antique,selling relief good and can goodsand many more. She did not finish her studies at high school. My mother died on August 14 2OO6, and I was 2nd year high school. My Father is a farmer and living now at Lagdo Sibalom, Antique.
Before I was here at the Congregation of La Mennais Brother, I am a Catechist of St. Vincent Ferrer San Remigio, Parish. Teaching Catechism to the children’s where I am assign to tech. I handle Grade one to six. After a year I decide to go out as a Catechist and I ask permission to the priest. The parish priest names Rev. Fr. Jose Tubianosa and he allow me to go out. I explain my plan why I am going out. After a day he told me to join at the La Mennais Brother but there is condition. I accept and I am willing to serve God, why? It is the way to find my happiness, to forget my problems, to talk with god asking his help and any which is bothered in my mind especially the death of my mother. Rev. Fr. Jose brought me at the La Mennais Central House, San Jose,
Antique. Bobot Fernandez is a vocation promoter of a La Mennais Brother and he accepts me and I am very happy and to say” Thanks be to God” in silent. Why? I am very lucky among more than thousands men. Gods calls me and I heard the voice of God. Founders though “Many are called but few are chosen”. I ask God if I have a vocation to become a La Mennais Brother, he can help me to find generous people to answer my need and supports. God answer immediately and I feel that god never forget me as I never to forget him to pray and give thanks for him as my true god, helper, and hope. Today I have benefactor to pay my part, my board and lodging. Thanks to the Father!
From the beginning of June 15 2OO9, everything is interesting. Today I am a 2nd year college student and continue the formation which the brothers offer.
Perhaps I am now at the La Mennais Brother’s formation House, Avanceña Street, Molo Iloilo city. The La Mennais Brothers have different kinds of formation.
The following stage of formation is:
1. Aspirancy
2. Postulancy
3. Novitiate
4. Temporary profess: Scolasticated
5. Perpetually profess
Well I can start for ASPIRANCY- To aspire to become a La Mennais Brother is the meaning of ASPIRANCY. It is a Stringboard to Initial Formation. It may start within the period of regular college studies. Of variable duration, Aspirancy gives the candidate for times prepare him for the first stage of formation: Called Postulancy.
It is the period of orientation to set the space before entering in the formation proper: Postulancy. For this to happen, a formal request must be made by the candidate and needs to be approved by the Vice provincial.
Postulancy- this is the first stage of formation. It has duration one year and requires having first completed undergraduate studies. It is a human and spiritual preparation to the following steps: Novitiate. After a careful assessment with his formator, the postulant may make a request to the congregation to become a Novice; which needs to be approved by the Provincial.
Novitiate- A novice considered a member of the congregation already although he did not make his Vows yet. During a full year of prayer and spiritual he experiences the life as a Brother.
Temporary profess; Scholasticate- if the Novitiate I s completed successfully the Novice can make his first profession on the three Vows: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. This is a period of Theological studies as well as exposure to the regular community and apostolic life
Perpetually profess- after a minimum of five years of Temporary profession, the Brother may pronounce his Final Vows, which bind him not only for life, but for eternity.
The Aspirancy Program Activities
1. Daily Prayer activities
2. Daily academic study Sessions
3. daily chores and responsibilities
4. weekly special classes(computer encoding, English, music art, etc,)
5. Group sports, activities and community life
6. Weekly Spiritual Formation sessions
7. Monthly Mentoring
8. Periodical Recollection and seminars
In our formation house I have our own schedules, individulas and group schedules. The La Mennais Aspirants follow the following schedules such as “Prayer”. Everyday we go too prayed at the Chapel, morning and evening. You know what time we wake up? We wake up at 4:15 AM for the Morning Prayer and followed by Mass. I attend the mass at the Dominican chapels near in our formation House, about 5O meters away from home. During our morning prayer I feel sleepy and I push my self to never sleep, the same to my co-aspirants. When we are in chapel, there is a time to share the meditations to express our thoughts, deed, and wants. I read the liturgy of the hours, the liturgy of the word, the gospel and the selected prayers. During the evening prayer I recite the rosary followed by the liturgy of the hours. Different meditations to be shared, different expressions, ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and expertise. Every Sunday except last Sunday of every month I attend the mass at the Mill Hill central House and during the last of every month I been there at Dominican Sister to take reading, the prayer of the faithful and etc.. Have time for study making my assignments, project and research, SRA, which to build our English vocabulary and use correct grammar. How to construct sentence in correct manner. For example: I read the story, and then answer the test questions and lastly you read and tell the story all about. Then Br. Eugene tackled about Etiquette. I have a schedule for Guitar lesson. Since I was here at the formation from the beginning I don’t know how to play guitar but from now on I learned Miss Tita Babes is my teacher in guitar lesson, a Mill Hill guitarist. Br. Eugene teaches us how to study. The student could be study in a right place, in a right time, have there own notebooks, pencils, ball pen, papers, books and etc. noise is not allowed when your study, chika-chika, telling some stories, txting, listening the music is not allowed. As a student you can study at table, setting in a chair which is comfortable. Some students study at there rooms, laying in bed and listening to the music. Most students likely to talk while they are studying, watching TV and telling the stories at there neighbors. Noise is cause of destruction. When we are studying be attentive, with focus what we study all about. I give thanks to Br. André for teaching me to learn how to use computer. Since I am new aspirants I don’t know how to open, what the different parts even how to format. Today I know how to use computer and sometimes I make movie maker and publish in my site. I make a PowerPoint presentation, and Make my own Website. I have my own Google account, friendster, and Yahoo mail, face book, twitter, multiply, scridb and more. All things I learned come from what I discovered especially me thank God for that gift which he given me for my benefit and for others. Everything comes from God no body owned except God. Well, I am talking about chores. Individuals has there chores such as, cleaning the chapel, stair case, CR, tables includes dining room. Some in charge for food, washing and wiping the plates that the every day chores. During Saturday the la Mennais Aspirants clean around the house, inside or outside. Sometimes I clean CR, and then on the next Saturday I clean robbers or mapping floors. Every last of the week we have time for play games such as basketball but I don’t like too. Some my co-aspirants play basketball even in school at the University of San Augustine. Adamje Abiera is one of my co-aspirants like to play basketball and he is a basketball player in our school. I like it to play UNO compared Basketball. Next I am talking about relationship towards my co-aspirants. Some like to joke but a joke which is hurt somebody. Some my co-aspirants lot of respect on compared to others, my best example Lito. Lito is a respectful person but sometimes he is joking but I don’t like him. Some are very helpful to me in my assignment, problems and my chores. As a student know first your abilities, capacity, you values, attitudes and personality. Thanks be to God for all that gifts. All what the Brothers teach is for our good and good of others. According to my teacher in Values Prof. Pinuela at the University of San Agustin
” There is no student better than the teacher, if that student become a better than the teacher, that teacher is a great teacher”
I don’t like attitude which is he looks his own good and for his being a self centered and he think that he is good than others. Form me look at your self first before you judge others. Are you clean? Are you perfect? No one is perfect except God! Practice constantly makes perfect. Don’t think for your own good but think the good of others. How you intelligent but lack of respect, your knowledge talents, expertise, is useless. Be a responsible and always alert at all times. As an Aspirant known how to take decisions; first……
Knowledge of his Vocation
Relations with Brothers and others Aspirants
Relationship with the other people
Capacity of Love
A man of Love
A life of prayer
Spiritual Reading Simplicity
Making Personal Commitment
Personal Commitment
Prizing the Religious Vocation
Apostolic Experience
Follow-Up
Closeness to the Brothers
End of Aspirancy
Study, Discover, research is the key to success!
You know my friends VOCATION is not always well understood, even by those closest to us. For a several years now we have been thinking about document on our special vocation, which would be of value not only to our selves but to the church in general. Society today is going through profound changes which are full of promise for humanity. Still, there are signs waiting for HOPE: For the UNITY and SOLIDARITY is felt everywhere in the world. In the face of these needs and according to our individual’s talents, God calling day and other people as well, just once called to our founders. We are convinced that our VOCATION is an answer to the need of our world, to which we present ourselves as BOTHERS, at the service of LOVE in the name of Jesus, with all that we are and all that we can do. We are witnesses to the possibility of brotherhood in divided world. The Brothers Prophetic dimension of life: Religious life develops in the kingdom which is “Already among us”, but is always motivated and animated by the ESCHATOLOGICAL, the kingdom which is “still to come”. It therefore belongs to the realm of prophecy, on of the Charism of the Holy Spirit.
1. He Called by God.
2. He is man of God, a bearer of the Spirit
3. He lives in Community
4 He is attentive to the signs of the times
5. He involved in human liberation
6. He shares in a certain type of wisdom
We want to be strength and faithful in our vocation. Hoping to God and be patience to wait our time to become a La Mennais Brother soon.
These are my Prayer.
Prayer:
O God I thank you for the life you have given me, for the faith and the hope and the love. Show me how to make due a return.I offer myself to you to be at your serviceThis is my desire. Show me the special way you want me to fulfill that promise. I know there is pain in answering your call. I accept the pain knowing that you are near at all times and that if I lose my life for your sake I will find it. Holy Mary, pray for me now and always. AMEN
La Mennais Aspirants Photo
The La Mennais Brother and La Mennais Aspirants
2009-2010
La Mennais Brothers:
Br. Eugène –Formator---------Uganda- Africa
Br. André – Assistant -Formator- Canada
La Mennais Aspirants:
Adamje Abiera-Dao, Antique….. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Carlo Sueta- Pandan, Antique……Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Erwin John Mariano- San Remigio, Antique …. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Edsil Sigue- Hamtic, Antique…. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Johnny Baleña- San Remigio, Antique…. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Rey Iniego- Patnongon , Antique…….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Raphy Gordon- San Remigio, Antique…… Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Jayrie Salmorin- Pandan, Antique….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Joemari Jamco- Patnongon, Antique….Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Lito Asinas- Hamtic, Antique… Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in History (Social Studies).
Be a La Mennais Brother?
Experience Christ Love?
Start Now! Search God and find him where he is today. Listen to God, Pray, give him thanks, adore with all your heart, mind and soul. God is alive and we have eternal life. Faith can save you into hell. Jesus helps me in my VOCATION. You’re Kingdome is near, you always welcome in my HEART!
La Mennais is a Religious Congregation where in the Philippines since 1987 until now.
More than 20 years in generous service to the Antiqueños. Founders thought “Many are called but few are chosen”.
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Written By: Raphy M. Gordon La Mennais Aspirants 2009-2010
Mail: raphygordon@yahoo.com 0r Txt
CP#:09295694280
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