Five Con Dio Novices Make First Profession as Salesians of Don Bosco
by: Bro. Nicolo Lorenzo Cervantes, SDB
July 24, 2025, Talisay City, Philippines. The Con Dio Novices of the Don Bosco Sacred Heart Novitiate in Cebu were formally received into the Society of St. Francis de Sales during a solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Shrine of St. John Bosco the Dreamer, Don Bosco Formation Center (DBFC), Lawaan. The Mass marked their first profession of vows, signifying their public commitment to live the Salesian way of life in obedience, poverty, and chastity.
The newly professed are Br. Eugene Caranguian (Philippines North, FIN), Cl. Nicolo Cervantes (FIN), Cl. Julieto Cosep, Jr. (Philippines South, FIS), Cl. Anjoe Dayday (FIS), and Cl. Nino Andirem Roxas (FIN).
Fr. Amelito Narciso Racelis, SDB, Provincial Superior of the Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians (FIS), presided over the Mass and received the novices’ vows. Fr. Jose Favie Faldas, SDB, and Br. James Gomez, SDB, witnessed the profession for the Philippine North Province (FIN). Novice Director Fr. Roneldo Vilbar, SDB, presented the five novices to the FIS Provincial.
In his homily, Fr. Racelis thanked the novices and their families for the generous offering of their lives to God in the spirit of St. John Bosco. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves, he likened the five novices to five loaves of bread—small in number but, “when put in the hands of Jesus, make present the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves to satisfy fully the deep hunger of today’s youth for Jesus.”
After the profession, the newly accepted clerics were solemnly vested in the Salesian cassock by their parents—a gesture of blessing and support as they embark on the next stage of their religious formation.
The joyful occasion concluded with a reception and fellowship at the DBFC Pilgrim Hall, celebrating the shared vocation journey of the novices, their families, and the Salesian community.
