Totus Tuus Journey Launching in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines – With its aim to spread the Montfortian spirituality on the island of Mindanao, and to reciprocate the positive response of Archbishop Jose Cabantan, D.D., the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, to prepare the legionaries to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary, the Philippine Delegation of Montfort Missionaries through the Montfort Center of Spirituality, in collaboration with the Legion of Mary Senatus of Northern Philippines and Senatus of Mindanao, officially launched the Totus Tuus Journey last October 13, 2022, at Patrick Cronin Formation Center, St. Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro City at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Rev. Fr. Federick B. Yumang, SMM, Rev. Armel R. Collantes, SMM, and Sis. Liza Infante arrived at Laguindingan International Airport in Cagayan de Oro City on October 13, 2022. They are greeted warmly by Sisters Daisy Caingles, Vicenta Dagayday, and Margie Marabal, current officers of the Legion of Mary Senatus of Cagayan de Oro. Arriving at Patrick Cronin Formation Center, they are welcomed fondly by Fr. Allan Pulgo, SSJV, and Fr. Jonas Awayan, SSJV.
The launching commenced with Rev. Fr. Federick B. Yumang, SMM, presiding over the Holy Eucharist, with Rev. Armel R. Collantes, SMM, as the homilist. In his homily, Rev. Armel emphasized the importance and connection between the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and the Total Consecration to Jesus in Mary. More than 50 people participated, most of whom were officers and members of the Legion of Mary Senatus of Mindanao.
Following the Mass, Fr. Federick, SMM, gave an overview of the Totus Tuus Journey (TTJ). The participants were then given their processing, recollection, and consecration schedules. The 33-day process will culminate on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2022. Fr. Fed and Rev. Armel distributed the Totus Tuus Journey manual in Cebuano to all participants after the Orientation.
On the following day, they will begin the process individually and return to Patrick Cronin Formation Center at 2:00 p.m. on October 26, 2022, to process the First Stage: Knowledge of the World. After each stage, they will assemble for processing. The debut concluded with Catena Legionis praying in front of Our Lady.
The three major islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, make up the Philippines. Since 1984, the SMM has shared the Montfortian Spirituality of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort through the 33-day preparation for total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Itinerant Mission a la Montfort and Totus Tuus spread in the Visayas in the late 1990s.
In God's perfect time and through Mary's loving guidance, last July 16, 2022, during the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the national director of the Association of Mary, Queen of all Hearts, Rev Fr. Federick B. Yumang, SMM, gave a talk on true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Northern Philippines Senatus treasurer, Bro. Glenn Ricafrente joined Fr. Federick, SMM for the celebration.
The celebration allowed Fr. Federick, SMM to talk to the Senatus of Mindanao and Fr. Robert "Jhun" Balsamo Jr., SSJV, the Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, who initially agreed to have the Totus Tuus Journey for the legionaries this year. With God's grace, the Montfort Missionaries received permission from Most Rev. Bishop Jose A. Cabantan, DD, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, to prepare legionaries to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary.
This grace-filled moment of the first-ever TTJ launching in Mindanao manifested that the Blessed Virgin was guiding us through the prayers of the Legionaries. The Totus Tuus Journey of these more than 50 hopeful participants will be committed to the process that will allow them to be transformed by Mary as they allow themselves to be molded by Her, and trusting that this journey moves in them the pondering way of Mary and put it into action.
The spread of Montfortian Spirituality in Mindanao is one of the priorities set by the SMM Philippine Delegation through the Montfort Center of Spirituality. The Montfort Center of Spirituality is currently directed by Rev. Fr. Federick B. Yumang, SMM. Joining the team from Manila for the launching of the TTJ in Mindanao are Rev. Armel R. Collantes, SMM and Sis. Liza Infante. Sis. Liza Infante serves as an associate of the Montfort Missionaries in the Philippines and also the current President of the Legion of Mary – Senatus of Northern Luzon.
Glory to Jesus in Mary! Glory to Mary in Jesus! Glory to God Alone!
Rev. Armel Rodrigo-Collantes, SMM