Sandor Community - Paranaque (Manila), The Philippines, 14 August 2021 -- During the pandemic in many parts of the Salesian world some 'extraordinary' or 'temporary' novitiates have been established due to the travel restrictions. Our EAO region is no exception. On 6 August 2021, the Rector of Sandor community, Fr Ronel Vilbar, was also installed as Novice Master. His two novices Kenji Lorenzo Hasegawa (GIA province) and Benjo Ian Mangila (FIN province) will spend their novitiate under the same roof with the Sandor community (specific formation for Brothers) in Paranaque - Metro Manila, Philippines.

Beside the official installation there is also one beautiful visible sign in this new Novitiate, since July 23: the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Fr Ronel shares: "We borrowed the Sacred Heart statue from Canlubang (which used to be in the lobby of the Mary Help of Christians chapel) to grace the Sacred Heart Novitiate at Paranaque with his loving and merciful presence. The novices not only find inspiration, wisdom, strength and perseverance in the Heart of Jesus, they can also enter into His heart to become His forever."