The 100th Sacerdotal Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Joseph Kentenich celebrated at the MTA Chapel in Bancasi, Butuan City

PHILIPPINES, Cheryl. It was family who were gathered in the Mother Thrice Admirable Chapel in Bancasi Butuan City to celebrate the 100th Sacerdotal Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Joseph Kentenich. Members were busy doing their assigned tasks in order to have a successful celebration.

Others were setting up the sound system, some were preparing for the presentation of Fr. Joseph Kentenich’s life, there were those who were preparing the food, and Sister Charito Maria was taking care of the visitors who were coming and giving assignments for the readings while decorating items like a tarp and balloons.

Father Kentenich’s priesthood

Fr. Stephen Brongcano together with Fr. Dennis Prisco, Deacon Rodel Malasarte, Empoy of the SJM – Sodality of Jesus and Mary, name given to the first Schoenstatt group in the seminary- and the current theology student were present. Fr. Stephen was the main celebrant. Rev. Rodel was the one who gave the homily in which he spoke about priestly ordination and all about Fr. Joseph Kentenich.

Before the final blessing, Sr. Charito Maria gave her “thank you” for all the support from all the members in spite of the very short preparation time message. After Holy Mass, there was a short PowerPoint presentation on the life of Fr. Joseph Kentenich for the members to know more about their founder. Fr. Dennis Prisco also shared about the beginning of Schoenstatt in Butuan and the time before he became a priest.

He loved the Church

Then they had the traditional salo-salo a sharing of blessings. The foods were plenty: melon, biko, cake, spaghetti, juice, soft drinks, and many others. It was a very happy moment for each and everyone because the Schoenstatt families were again gathered as one. The families came from Bon-bon, Libertad, Bancasi, Bading, Schoenstatt Male Choir, SJM St. Peter seminary Babag, Buhangin also from St. Joseph Cathedral and the Schoenstatt family from Kinamlutan.

They also celebrated the name day of Sister Elizabeth, the Provincial Superior in Australia. There was picture taking, talking, and laughing as the celebration continued.

The Schoenstatt family is thankful to Fr. Joseph Kentenich because of His unending love for Schoenstatt, and because of his love, it became a strong. The theme for this celebration is “Dilexit Ecclesiam- He loved the Church.” These words were printed on a big tarp along with a picture of Fr. Joseph Kentenich giving Holy Communion as a sign of his priestly life.