On Monday, 4th November, Brother Don Brian Malnegro was ordained a priest in Mito (Iabaraki) at the Keisel Hotel, Japan. This was a great event not least because the previous ordination was 22 years ago.
Don was ordained by Bishop Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, osb, bishop of the diocese of Saitama. He was accompanied by brothers and sisters from the parishes in the Japan—Philippines Province. Japan: Mito, Tomobe, Tsuchiura, Tsukuba, Shimodate, Yamagata; some faithful came from Manila, as well as Pauline sisters and members of the Trinity congregation.
Don’s parents, who were unable to attend the ordination, were represented by two of his sisters and a brother. The wife of the mayor of his town of Cebu Visayas also came.
Monsignor Nolly Buco, auxiliary bishop of Antipolo (Manila) was present. It was he who ordained Don Brian as deacon.
Also joining in the celebrations were some priests from the diocese of Saitama, Tokyo and Niigata (where the Yamagata community is located)
In his homily, Monsignor Yamanouchi stressed the distinctive features of the spirituality of the Sacred Hearts as applied to priestly service: The wounded heart of Jesus full of compassion and the burning heart of Mary both understood as service.
Bishop Yamanouchi shared at the reception that his diocese has 13 million inhabitants, 120 thousand of whom are Catholics, many of them foreigners, especially Filipinos.
Don Brian, for his part, thanked those who initiated him into the faith, especially his parents and brothers who instilled in him an understanding of faith as service. His prayer is that the Lord, through the brothers and sisters, will help him flourish as the "Sakura" or the "cherry blossom." And in the winter times that we all have to go through, he will always trust the Lord who sustains and strengthens us.
The celebration of the Mass was followed by a lunch enlivened by Japanese, Filipino, Indonesian and Mexican songs and dances.
More photographs can be seen by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/2oJ2ZmP
11/04/2019