In a spirit of prayer and fraternity, the Capuchin Brothers gathered at the Capuchin Cemetery in Lipa City on November 3, 2025, to commemorate the lives of their departed confreres. The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Edgar S. Martinez, OFMCap., Provincial Minister.
Brothers coming from different fraternities of the province joined the celebration, united in gratitude for the gift of brotherhood that continues to bind the living and the departed. The occasion, marked by simplicity and warmth, reflected the deep affection and respect the friars hold for those who have gone ahead of them in faith and service.
Before the celebration of the Eucharist, the Necrology was read by Br. Ernesto Lagasca, OFMCap., the eldest among the friars present. With calm reverence, he read the names of the deceased brothers, allowing each name to echo gently through the quiet cemetery. It was a touching moment that brought to mind the faces, voices, and memories of those who once shared the same table, prayers, and mission.
During his homily, Fr. Edgar reminded the brothers that death is not an end, but a passage, a homecoming to God Our Father who calls each one by name. He invited everyone to see death through the eyes of faith, as the fulfillment of one’s vocation to love and serve. Our brothers who rest here remind us that the life we live today, must be lived with purpose and peace. Their memory challenges us to live our vocation with the same fidelity and simplicity that marked their lives.
In closing, the fraternity expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all who joined the commemoration. The day’s gathering became not only an act of remembrance but also a renewal of fraternal bonds, a gentle reminder that in the Capuchin way of life, love and brotherhood endure, even beyond the passing of time.
After the Mass, the brothers gathered at the refectory for a simple lunch. It was a moment of brotherly joy and communion, a continuation of the same spirit that had filled the celebration at the cemetery.
