Fr. Gerardo Martin appointed as the 12th Provincial of FIN Province
RMG, 5 June 2019 -- Following the week of consultation in the FIN province (March 2019) and the discernment process at Sacro Cuore (June 2019) for the new Provincial, the Rector Major with the consent of his Council has appointed Fr Gerardo MARTIN (55 years of age) as the 12th Provincial of Philippines North-Malaysia Province of St John Bosco, for the six year period 2019-2025.
Fr "Gerry" MARTIN was born in Makati (Manila) on October 3, 1964 and after a few years as a professional certified accountant, joined the Salesian Novitiate in 1994-1995 (Granada - Bacolod), made his first profession on May 24, 1995 and perpetual profession on March 24, 2001 in Parañaque - Manila. After his ordination in 2002 he spent two years in St John Bosco Parish (Makati - Manila), following five years (2005-2010) in SnDB formation house (Seminary ng Don Bosco - specific formation for priesthood), Parañaque - Manila and last 9 years in the large Prenovitiate-Aspirantate community of Canlubang (2010-2019).
His contribution to the Salesian charism is in the field of Administration & Finance (2005-2010 member of the Economic commission) and especially in the field of Formation - Counselling - Spiritual Direction (2013-2019 provincial delegate for Formation). Since 2013 was member of the FIN provincial council. Indeed during past year he accopmanied many young people in their vocation discernment and first steps of their formation journey in Canlubang.
The new Provincial speaks Tagalog and English. His intercultural experience in the formation house (Filipino and Chinese aspirants and prenovices) will help him accompany the 170 confreres who are involved in 25 local communities (one in Malaysia and 24 in Luzon island of the Philippines).
After the Rector Major's phone call the newly appointed Provincial shares: "I thank the Lord for this beautiful Salesian vocation he gave me. Since it is the Lord’s project in me, I take courage in Him where He leads me. I was very much challenged by the Strenna of Fr. Rector Major for 2019 especially when he quoted Benedict XVI: “We are not to be afraid to aim high toward the heights of God; we are not afraid that God will ask too much of us .” Now this challenge is very real for me. Thanks be to God."
The EAO Region congratulates the Province of Saint John Bosco (FIN) confreres on their 12th Provincial, promises our prayers and entrusts his ministry for the coming six year period to the protection and guidance of Mary Help of Christians.
The Profession of Faith of the new Provincial will take place on Saturday, 15 June, 2019, during the Eucharistic celebration in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Parañaque - Manila.
Fr Gerry is probably the last EAO Provincial appointed before the GC28. As with every new provincial, he is called to meet the Rector Major soon, next July in Rome, after his Silver Jubilee pilgrimage with his companions in Italy.
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