The Philippine OCD Province, comprising friars from Vietnam and the Philippines, was privileged to host the East Asia and Oceania Students and Formators Encounter, held from 28 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.
With the theme “Kapit (Hold On): Journeying as One in Hope,” the encounter gathered some of the major superiors, formators, and students from various circumscriptions of the Order in the region: Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore-Thailand-Malaysia and the Philippines.
Among the highlights of the encounter, aside from moments of communal prayer and celebration of the Holy Mass, were conferences delivered by various speakers, recreational and sports activities, audiences with communities of OCD nuns, fellowship dinners, and cultural nights that showcased the rich diversity of traditions within the region. During the week of the encounter, the brothers also welcomed the new year 2026 through the celebration of the Midnight Mass with the parish community and the traditional New Year’s Eve dinner.
The encounter was especially graced with the presence of the Definitor General of the Order, Fr. Christianus Surinono, OCD. Meanwhile, the Father General also expressed his closeness and encouragement through a video message.
