Confraternity of Catholic Saints
Encyclopedia
The Confraternity
of Catholic saints (CCS) is a Catholic
organization of young people consecrated to the Trinity
through the Blessed Virgin Mary and dedicated in proclaiming the gospel
and promoting that the catholic view of holiness is very possible.
, created in 2003 mainly to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to promote holiness to Catholics and that it is very possible to the world, especially to the youth. It uses the lives and the works of the catholic saints to fulfill their mission and to inspire many to be holy. It pledges loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings, to the Pope, and to the Diocesan Bishop. The Confraternity of Catholic Saints focuses its attention to the realization of the Catholic Church's universal call to holiness
through their ministries.
The charism
of the CCS is the promotion of devotion, lives and spirituality of the Catholic Saints.
On 13 July 2007 Rev. Fr. Angelo Ma. S. Legal, of the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict
(OSB) became the Spiritual Director of the CCS through his acceptance letter.
On 24 July 2007 the co-founder and Director of the Confraternity, Dave Caesar Dela Cruz, officially presented the letter and requirements requesting the Lord Bishop of Cubao, Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D. for the Diocesan Recognition of the Confraternity.
At present the CSS is the Official Promoter for the Cause of Canonization for Blessed Ivan Merz
of Croatia
in the Philippines
, the Official Group-Promoter of Blessed Alberto Marvelli
of Italy
in the Philippines, a recognized prayer group for the Cause of Beatification
and Canonization
of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, and Recognized Promoter of Saint Rita de Cascia (by the Mother Abbess), Monastery of Saint Rita de Cascia, Cascia, Italy.
On October 2007, the founding-Director, Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz, visited the tomb of Blessed Ivan Merz. By his pilgrimage to Croatia the Confraternity was recognized by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Cardinal Bozanic; the Archbishop of Sarajevo, Vinko Cardinal Puljik (Bosnian
, Croatian
: Vinko Puljić); and the Bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarika. The Director was interviewed in the Catholic radio in Croatia and the Director had the chance to have a talk to the Croatian youth. The Confraternity was also featured in some newspaper in Croatia. One of these is the magazine in Croatia, FOKUS.
On 19 March 2008, Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz was appointed as the Vice Postulator for the Philippines of the Cause for the Canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz of Croatia and was recognized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. Dela Cruz, being the co-founder and Director of the Confraternity, the CCS is the home office of the Vice Postulation.
Having been elected as the Vice Postulator for Blessed Ivan, on 10 May 2008 the Confraternity conducted the first feast celebration of Blessed Ivan Merz in the Philippines at the home Parish of the CCS, the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. Mass was celebrated along with the extension of the Blessed Ivan Merz Scholarship Program.
On 1 June 2008, the start of the canonical year for CCS, the CCS has launched its official manual, which was also presented to the Bishop of Cubao as part of the needed documents for the Diocesan Recognition. The CCS Official Manual contains the norms of the CCS, the Constitution and By-laws, and other important documents like decrees of the Director, prayers for the CCS, and letters of several Bishops.
On 5 October 2008, the fifth anniversary of the Confraternity, four pioneer fraters made their solemn consecration and perpetual profession On the occasion of its fifth anniversary, on 6 November 2008, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
sent a message for the Confraternity, marking a step of recognition from the Congregation.
The CCS is currently present in two dioceses in the Philippines, the Dioceses of Cubao and Kalookan, with Cooperators around the country. On 11 February 2009, the Confraternity had its new presence at the Holy Cross Parish, Diliman, Quezon City.
On May of the same year (2009), the Community welcomed another member, in the person of Lloyd Danielle Flores (James Michael Maria of the Transfiguration of the Lord). This was in-line with the First Anniversary of the Promulgation of the CCS Manual and the recognition of the CCS Scholars for the Year 2009-2010.
At the Start of the Year 2010, the Confraternity, through its director, declared the said year as the Year of Holiness. This is to reiterate the need of the CCS to fulfill its mission and motto to be Holy. With this, a Year dedicated to Mary is also declared, calling all members to call upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask her intercession as the Year of Holiness is observed.
In the official logo, the letters C, C, and S are formed like a heart which symbolizes the ministry and core values (Commitment, Charity, and Service) of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints (CCS) being embedded in the hearts of its members. The three flames above the heart at the left symbolize the three inspirations of the Confraternity: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Josemaria Escriva, and Saint Louis de Montfort while the larger flame at the right symbolizes Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, the secondary patroness of the Confraternity. The letter "M" inside the heart symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother and Queen of the CCS. The cross at the center of the logo symbolizes Jesus, the center and life of the Confraterity.
The Cooperators are further sub-divided into the Friends of Catholic Saints for men and the Daughters of Mary, Queen of All Saints for women. The Cooperators was established by the founding-Director last 15 October 2007 through his decree no. 1, series of 2007, given in Zagreb, Croatia. Furthermore, the Cooperators is also open to Priests and Religious who wanted to share with the mission of the Confraternity and proclaim holiness in whatever way possible, especially through spiritual direction and advise.
The first scholar awarded by this is Nixon Delos Santos, 15 years old, 3rd year High School in Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City
.
Last 10 May 2008, the Scholarship Program added new scholars. For the Year 2009-2010, the Scholars are: Emmanuel Uriel Solmirano, Emmanuel Gabriel Solmirano, Mark Vincent Flores,Jake Borcelango, Nixon delos Santos, André Miguel Barba, and Krizelle Laguerta.
Confraternity
A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy...
of Catholic saints (CCS) is a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
organization of young people consecrated to the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
through the Blessed Virgin Mary and dedicated in proclaiming the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
and promoting that the catholic view of holiness is very possible.
Overview
The Confraternity of Catholic Saints is an organization of young people in the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, created in 2003 mainly to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to promote holiness to Catholics and that it is very possible to the world, especially to the youth. It uses the lives and the works of the catholic saints to fulfill their mission and to inspire many to be holy. It pledges loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings, to the Pope, and to the Diocesan Bishop. The Confraternity of Catholic Saints focuses its attention to the realization of the Catholic Church's universal call to holiness
Universal call to holiness
Universal Call to Holiness and Apostolate is a teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that all people are called to be holy. This Church teaching states that all within the church should live holy lives....
through their ministries.
History
The Confraternity of Catholic Saint started last 1 October 2003 with the name Ministry for the Promotion of Holy Men and Women at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao dedicated to promote the new Saints of the Catholic Church. Its foundation was led by Dave Caesar Dela Cruz and Lloyd Paul Elauria, both from the said diocese. It was only in 6 August 2006 that it changed its name to Confraternity of Catholic Saints (CCS) in the presence of the pioneer fraters of the CCS, namely (with religious name) Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz (Francis Teresa Maria of the Immaculate Conception and of the Holy Cross), Lloyd Paul Elauria (Tarciso Bonaventura Maria a Croce), Weldann Lester Panganiban (John Ezekiel Maria of the Miraculous Medal and of the Cross), Matthew Taleon (Joseph Pio Maria of the Visitation of our Lady), John Felix Santos [John of Saint Mary, Mother of God], Adrian Millena (Paul Lawrence Maria of the Resurrection), Carlos Babiano (Josemaria of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), and Roel San Miguel (John Therese Maria of the Annunciation, who is now living in the United States).The charism
Charism
In Christian theology, a charism in general denotes any good gift that flows from God's love to man. The word can also mean any of the spiritual graces and qualifications granted to every Christian to perform his or her task in the Church...
of the CCS is the promotion of devotion, lives and spirituality of the Catholic Saints.
On 13 July 2007 Rev. Fr. Angelo Ma. S. Legal, of the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
(OSB) became the Spiritual Director of the CCS through his acceptance letter.
On 24 July 2007 the co-founder and Director of the Confraternity, Dave Caesar Dela Cruz, officially presented the letter and requirements requesting the Lord Bishop of Cubao, Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D. for the Diocesan Recognition of the Confraternity.
At present the CSS is the Official Promoter for the Cause of Canonization for Blessed Ivan Merz
Ivan Merz
Blessed Ivan Merz was a Bosnian-Croatian lay academic, beatified by Pope John Paul II on a visit at Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 23, 2003...
of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, the Official Group-Promoter of Blessed Alberto Marvelli
Alberto Marvelli
Alberto Marvelli was an Italian member of the Catholic Action.Born at Ferrara, he was given a Christian formation by his mother, who kept their home open to the poor...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in the Philippines, a recognized prayer group for the Cause of Beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
and Canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, and Recognized Promoter of Saint Rita de Cascia (by the Mother Abbess), Monastery of Saint Rita de Cascia, Cascia, Italy.
On October 2007, the founding-Director, Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz, visited the tomb of Blessed Ivan Merz. By his pilgrimage to Croatia the Confraternity was recognized by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Cardinal Bozanic; the Archbishop of Sarajevo, Vinko Cardinal Puljik (Bosnian
Bosnian language
Bosnian is a South Slavic language, spoken by Bosniaks. As a standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect, it is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, Croatian
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
: Vinko Puljić); and the Bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarika. The Director was interviewed in the Catholic radio in Croatia and the Director had the chance to have a talk to the Croatian youth. The Confraternity was also featured in some newspaper in Croatia. One of these is the magazine in Croatia, FOKUS.
On 19 March 2008, Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz was appointed as the Vice Postulator for the Philippines of the Cause for the Canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz of Croatia and was recognized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. Dela Cruz, being the co-founder and Director of the Confraternity, the CCS is the home office of the Vice Postulation.
Having been elected as the Vice Postulator for Blessed Ivan, on 10 May 2008 the Confraternity conducted the first feast celebration of Blessed Ivan Merz in the Philippines at the home Parish of the CCS, the Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. Mass was celebrated along with the extension of the Blessed Ivan Merz Scholarship Program.
On 1 June 2008, the start of the canonical year for CCS, the CCS has launched its official manual, which was also presented to the Bishop of Cubao as part of the needed documents for the Diocesan Recognition. The CCS Official Manual contains the norms of the CCS, the Constitution and By-laws, and other important documents like decrees of the Director, prayers for the CCS, and letters of several Bishops.
On 5 October 2008, the fifth anniversary of the Confraternity, four pioneer fraters made their solemn consecration and perpetual profession On the occasion of its fifth anniversary, on 6 November 2008, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
sent a message for the Confraternity, marking a step of recognition from the Congregation.
The CCS is currently present in two dioceses in the Philippines, the Dioceses of Cubao and Kalookan, with Cooperators around the country. On 11 February 2009, the Confraternity had its new presence at the Holy Cross Parish, Diliman, Quezon City.
On May of the same year (2009), the Community welcomed another member, in the person of Lloyd Danielle Flores (James Michael Maria of the Transfiguration of the Lord). This was in-line with the First Anniversary of the Promulgation of the CCS Manual and the recognition of the CCS Scholars for the Year 2009-2010.
At the Start of the Year 2010, the Confraternity, through its director, declared the said year as the Year of Holiness. This is to reiterate the need of the CCS to fulfill its mission and motto to be Holy. With this, a Year dedicated to Mary is also declared, calling all members to call upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask her intercession as the Year of Holiness is observed.
Logo and motto
The motto of the CCS is taken from the Holy Scripture in the book of the 1st epistle of Peter (1:16), "Sancti eritis, quia ego sanctus sum," translated as "Be holy for I am holy." The motto thoroughly describes the CCS's identity as an organization for the holiness of Christ's faithful.In the official logo, the letters C, C, and S are formed like a heart which symbolizes the ministry and core values (Commitment, Charity, and Service) of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints (CCS) being embedded in the hearts of its members. The three flames above the heart at the left symbolize the three inspirations of the Confraternity: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Josemaria Escriva, and Saint Louis de Montfort while the larger flame at the right symbolizes Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, the secondary patroness of the Confraternity. The letter "M" inside the heart symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother and Queen of the CCS. The cross at the center of the logo symbolizes Jesus, the center and life of the Confraterity.
Mission-Vision and Ministries
The mission-vision and ministries of the CCS are defined according to the Constitution and By-laws given last 1 June 2008.Mission Vision
"A confraternity dedicated to serve God and the Church, to tell people that holiness can be truly attained, and to proclaim the Gospel towards the growth of the People of God in faith, hope, and love."Ministry of the CCS
The Ministry of the Confraternity are:- To promote the devotion to and lives of the Holy Men and Women recognized by the Roman Catholic Church by Canonization, Beatification, and Recognition of Heroic Virtues, including those from the churches in communion with Rome.
- To help parishes, religious congregations and associations foster devotion to their own saints (their patrons, founders, and/or members).
- To take care of relics of the saints that the confraternity members and/or the Diocese owns.
- To host a public viewing and veneration of the relics of saints in parishes, communities, schools, hospitals, houses, and offices.
- To help the Catholic Church stop different kinds of abuses to relics of saints and report it to the competent ecclesiastical authorities (e.g. the Local OrdinaryOrdinaryIn those hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ecclesiastical law system, an ordinary is an officer of the church who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute the church's laws...
) and/or to the postulators. - To conduct spiritual activities according to the spirituality of a particular saint through seminars, recollections, retreats, pilgrimages, etc.
- To visit the sick and those who need spiritual assistance and pray for them through the intercessionIntercessionIntercession is the act of interceding between two parties. In both Christian and Islamic religious usage, it is a prayer to God on behalf of others....
of the saints.
Structure
The Confraternity of Catholic Saints is broken into two groups these are: the Fraters Group (men who are consecrated and living within the area of Metro Manila and serving full-time the CCS' needs) and the Cooperators Group (who wish to share in the mission of the CCS cooperating in or outside the Metro Manila area).The Cooperators are further sub-divided into the Friends of Catholic Saints for men and the Daughters of Mary, Queen of All Saints for women. The Cooperators was established by the founding-Director last 15 October 2007 through his decree no. 1, series of 2007, given in Zagreb, Croatia. Furthermore, the Cooperators is also open to Priests and Religious who wanted to share with the mission of the Confraternity and proclaim holiness in whatever way possible, especially through spiritual direction and advise.
Blessed Ivan Scholarship Fund
The Blessed Ivan Scholarship Fund is a project of the CCS in cooperation with the Official Postulation of Blessed Ivan Merz in Croatia. Started in June 2007, its purpose is to help the financially unstable but fitting youth to have a quality education and to get equipped for his/her future.The first scholar awarded by this is Nixon Delos Santos, 15 years old, 3rd year High School in Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
.
Last 10 May 2008, the Scholarship Program added new scholars. For the Year 2009-2010, the Scholars are: Emmanuel Uriel Solmirano, Emmanuel Gabriel Solmirano, Mark Vincent Flores,Jake Borcelango, Nixon delos Santos, André Miguel Barba, and Krizelle Laguerta.