By Prenovice Romeo Santos

Canlubang, the Philippines -- The Don Bosco Pre-novitiate Formation House welcomed eight new aspirants last June 11, on the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, a day that fits the occasion.

The Junior Aspirants, as they are called, are Arman David and Mark Pablo – Don Bosco College, High School (Canlubang), Francis Galang – Camp Vicente Lim High School (Canlubang), Kermit De Jesus – Don Bosco Technical Institute (Tarlac), Angelo Caputolan – St. Dominic Savio Parish (Mandaluyong) and Ysrael Rosalito – San Ildefonso Parish (Makati). Two late-vocations are also included in this year’s lineup of new aspirants: Aaron Maguyon – Pila, Laguna and Joshua Giray– Don Bosco Tondo.

The new aspirants were received through a solemn “Spiritual Journey.” As the new aspirant entered the vicinity of Don Bosco Canlubang, they walked to Our Lady of Canlubang at the Rotunda, where they offered a candle to symbolize their reliance on a Salesian tradition – “It was Mary who brought you here. It is Mary who will stay with you here.” The journey continued with the new aspirant praying for the very first time as aspirants the prayer of entrustment to Mary Help of Christians inside the Diocesan Shrine; then, the parents’ entrustment of their son to Mary followed.

The final destination of the “Spiritual Journey” was done by the welcoming rites of the Prefect of Discipline - Fr. Jake Lopez at the main gate of the Formation House. After which, they then proceeded to talk with the Vice Rector of the house, Fr. Joe Fernandez.

The eight new aspirants complete this formation year’s number of formands, which is 34.

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