The "Black Pope" visits the Philippine Province

Reverend Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, the current Superior General of the Society of Jesus (SJ) came to the Philippines last week. He celebrated The Eucharist in commemoration of the return of the Jesuits to the Philippines 150 years ago.

"The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's vestments, as contrasted to the white garb of the Pope." (Wikipedia, accessed 07/19/09)



"The Superior General’s visit to the Philippines will hopefully foster greater union among collaborators within the various Jesuit apostolate in the Philippines." The Father General, as he is commonly called, visited Xavier School and Ateneo de Manila University among others.



Above: Fr. Nicolas, SJ with the Mary the Queen Parish (MTQ) and Xavier Community Below: Fr. Nicolas, SJ with Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Rosales, and other bishops.



"Fr. Nicolas was Director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Quezon City from 1978 to 1984, and later served as rector of the theologate in Tokyo from 1991 to 1993, when he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuit Province of Japan. In 2004 he returned to the Philippines after he was named Moderator of the Jesuit Conference for Eastern Asia and Oceania. On January 19, 2008, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas was elected by General Congregation (GC 35) as the Order’s thirtieth Superior General and was promptly confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI."



In his stay in the Philippines, he also gave a keynote address in the Jesuit Basic Education Congress (JBEC) on the Challenges and Issues in Jesuit Education in the Irwin Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University.



"From July 11 to 14, the Philippine Province was blessed to receive among us Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, and 29th Successor of St. Ignatius. His presence at a variety of celebrations and encounters brought deep joy and inspiration to many." - Fr. Daniel Huang, former Phillipine Provincial now Assistant to Fr. General.

Special Thanks to:
Fr. Danny Huang, SJ and Anthony Coloma, SJ for the Photos
Monk's Hobbit Wordpress

Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ

Just last month, one of my high school CLE teachers/ first high school Jesuit teacher, Bro Robbie Sian, SJ (back then) was ordained (so he's Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ now) to be a priest. He was one of the first few Jesuit scholars (if not the first) that I looked up to. After he taught in Xavier, he went to Cambodia. Funny, before he left for Cambodia, I met him the last time when he was with his sister in SM Megamall. Call it chance, or God's plan, I met him a couple of times after he returned back to the Philippines, and got back in touch with recently.



Xavier School Director Fr. Johnny Go wrote in his Facebook:

Newly ordained priest, Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ, taught religion for two
years to high school students in Xavier School. Here he talks about
how he feels about being a new priest.

Father Robbie will be presiding at the annual Missioning Mass this
June 5th at 2 pm at the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center in Xavier
School for all our Faculty and Staff. His friends and former students
are all invited. After the Mass, he will give the traditional new
priest's blessing to the guests.

Congratulations on your ordination, Father Robbie! We are proud of you
and pray for you as you go to your new mission in Sta. Maria Parish,
Iloilo. Luceat Lux!

Back when Fr. Robbie was my CLE teacher, he touched our lives and taught us religion well. He was no boring teacher, but instead, he made the subject really interesting for his students with his stories and life experiences. He is a man of faith and someone who I think will do just great wherever he is sent. I'm praying for you Father! :)

Video Interview by Fr. Johnny Go.










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