NINE DAYS OF PRAYER, ONE HEART FOR MISSION
In preparation for the Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Founder of the Claretian Missionaries, our IHMP community gathered for the nine-day novena during the 6:00 PM Holy Masses from October 15 to 23, 2026.
Through each day's celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we reflected on the life, faith, and missionary zeal of St. Anthony Mary Claret. The novena invited us to renew our commitment to Christ, embrace our calling to serve, and carry forward the Claretian charism in our parish, families, and communities.
We are grateful to the priests who presided at and concelebrated the Novena Masses, as well as to the ministries, organizations, and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) who sponsored each day's celebration.
DAY 1 | October 15, 2026
Theme: Chosen for Mission from the Beginning
Presider: Rev. Fr. Julius Boado, CMF
Claretian Connection: Reflecting on how St. Anthony Mary Claret responded to God's early call in his youth, recognizing that every Claretian institution is chosen by grace to raise up holy witnesses. We pray for the courage to speak and live God's truth boldly in our modern settings.
DAY 2 | October 16, 2026
Theme: Sealed with the Spirit to Overcome Obstacles
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Victor Sadaya, CMF
Rev. Fr. Jay Coching, CMF
Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Rasay, CMF
Claretian Connection: Father Claret faced deep hostilities, persecution, and intense physical illness, yet he trusted that he was claimed for God's work. We pray for all members of our institution facing spiritual or personal trials, asking the Holy Spirit to seal our hearts with perseverance.
DAY 3 | October 17, 2026
Theme: Proclaiming Christ without Fear
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jay Coching, CMF
Claretian Connection: Connects directly to Claret’s profound zeal as a preacher, missionary, and founder who openly declared Christ before all sectors of society. We pray that our institution's ministries, classrooms, or community works may speak with the wisdom and courage given by the Holy Spirit.
DAY 4 | October 18, 2026
Theme: The Servant Heart of the Claretian Missionary
Presider: Rev. Fr. Educ Apungan, CMF
Claretian Connection: Following Christ the Servant, St. Anthony spent his life pouring himself out for the spiritual and physical well-being of his flock. We pray for a spirit of humble service, empathy, and self-giving within our institution's community.
DAY 5 | October 19, 2026
Theme: Rich in God: Evangelical Detachment & Generosity
Presider: Rev. Fr. Louie Guades, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony Claret lived a life of radical poverty and detachment, using all resources solely for evangelization and helping the marginalized. We pray to guard our hearts against materialism and to dedicate our institution's talents and resources to God's work.
DAY 6 | October 20, 2026
Theme: Vigilant Hearts, Burning Lamps
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Anthony Le Duc Tho, CMF
Rev. Fr. Efren Decreto, CMF
Rev. Fr. Wigbert Papa, CMF
Rev. Fr. Christian James Castro, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony famously defined the Son of the Immaculate Heart as "a man on fire, who burns with charity and enkindles wherever he goes." The burning lamps of the Gospel match this apostolic fire. We pray that our institution remains alert, spiritually awake, and eager to set the world on fire with God's love.
DAY 7 | October 21, 2026
Theme: Faithful Stewards of the Claretian Charism
Presider: Rev. Fr. Ronnie Banaria, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony was a masterpiece of a steward—founding the Congregation, distributing spiritual food through the Catholic press, and bringing the Gospel to different nations. We pray for our administrators, leaders, and animators to be trustworthy stewards of the Claretian legacy.
DAY 8 | October 22, 2026
Theme: The Fire of Truth and Spiritual Fortitude
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Educ Apungan, CMF
Rev. Fr. Anthony or Fr. Nguyen Duy Luong, CMF
Claretian Connection: Father Claret's unyielding defense of faith and morals often caused division and even led to assassination attempts against him. We pray for our community to stand firm in truth and charity, even when the Gospel challenges modern cultural norms.
DAY 9 | October 23, 2026
Theme: Reading the Signs of the Times for Mission
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Desiderio Martin, CMF
Rev. Fr. Carlos de Rivas, CMF
Rev. Fr. Ronnie Banaria, CMF
Rev. Fr. Julius Boado, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony Claret constantly read the "signs of his times" to innovate new ways to save souls, use the media, and serve the Church. On this final day, we entrust the future of our Claretian institution, our vocations, and our personal final perseverance to the maternal care of Mary, our Mother and Formator.
FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET
As we celebrate the feast of our beloved founder, may his life continue to inspire us to remain rooted in Christ, burn with charity, and courageously proclaim the Gospel wherever the Lord sends us.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary continue to form us as faithful disciples and joyful missionaries, united in one heart and one mission.
St. Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!
We are grateful to the priests who presided at and concelebrated the Novena Masses, as well as to the ministries, organizations, and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) who sponsored each day's celebration.
DAY 1 | October 15, 2026
Theme: Chosen for Mission from the Beginning
Presider: Rev. Fr. Julius Boado, CMF
Claretian Connection: Reflecting on how St. Anthony Mary Claret responded to God's early call in his youth, recognizing that every Claretian institution is chosen by grace to raise up holy witnesses. We pray for the courage to speak and live God's truth boldly in our modern settings.
DAY 2 | October 16, 2026
Theme: Sealed with the Spirit to Overcome Obstacles
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Victor Sadaya, CMF
Rev. Fr. Jay Coching, CMF
Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Rasay, CMF
Claretian Connection: Father Claret faced deep hostilities, persecution, and intense physical illness, yet he trusted that he was claimed for God's work. We pray for all members of our institution facing spiritual or personal trials, asking the Holy Spirit to seal our hearts with perseverance.
DAY 3 | October 17, 2026
Theme: Proclaiming Christ without Fear
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jay Coching, CMF
Claretian Connection: Connects directly to Claret’s profound zeal as a preacher, missionary, and founder who openly declared Christ before all sectors of society. We pray that our institution's ministries, classrooms, or community works may speak with the wisdom and courage given by the Holy Spirit.
DAY 4 | October 18, 2026
Theme: The Servant Heart of the Claretian Missionary
Presider: Rev. Fr. Educ Apungan, CMF
Claretian Connection: Following Christ the Servant, St. Anthony spent his life pouring himself out for the spiritual and physical well-being of his flock. We pray for a spirit of humble service, empathy, and self-giving within our institution's community.
DAY 5 | October 19, 2026
Theme: Rich in God: Evangelical Detachment & Generosity
Presider: Rev. Fr. Louie Guades, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony Claret lived a life of radical poverty and detachment, using all resources solely for evangelization and helping the marginalized. We pray to guard our hearts against materialism and to dedicate our institution's talents and resources to God's work.
DAY 6 | October 20, 2026
Theme: Vigilant Hearts, Burning Lamps
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Anthony Le Duc Tho, CMF
Rev. Fr. Efren Decreto, CMF
Rev. Fr. Wigbert Papa, CMF
Rev. Fr. Christian James Castro, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony famously defined the Son of the Immaculate Heart as "a man on fire, who burns with charity and enkindles wherever he goes." The burning lamps of the Gospel match this apostolic fire. We pray that our institution remains alert, spiritually awake, and eager to set the world on fire with God's love.
DAY 7 | October 21, 2026
Theme: Faithful Stewards of the Claretian Charism
Presider: Rev. Fr. Ronnie Banaria, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony was a masterpiece of a steward—founding the Congregation, distributing spiritual food through the Catholic press, and bringing the Gospel to different nations. We pray for our administrators, leaders, and animators to be trustworthy stewards of the Claretian legacy.
DAY 8 | October 22, 2026
Theme: The Fire of Truth and Spiritual Fortitude
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Educ Apungan, CMF
Rev. Fr. Anthony or Fr. Nguyen Duy Luong, CMF
Claretian Connection: Father Claret's unyielding defense of faith and morals often caused division and even led to assassination attempts against him. We pray for our community to stand firm in truth and charity, even when the Gospel challenges modern cultural norms.
DAY 9 | October 23, 2026
Theme: Reading the Signs of the Times for Mission
Presiders/Concelebrants:
Rev. Fr. Desiderio Martin, CMF
Rev. Fr. Carlos de Rivas, CMF
Rev. Fr. Ronnie Banaria, CMF
Rev. Fr. Julius Boado, CMF
Claretian Connection: St. Anthony Claret constantly read the "signs of his times" to innovate new ways to save souls, use the media, and serve the Church. On this final day, we entrust the future of our Claretian institution, our vocations, and our personal final perseverance to the maternal care of Mary, our Mother and Formator.
FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET
As we celebrate the feast of our beloved founder, may his life continue to inspire us to remain rooted in Christ, burn with charity, and courageously proclaim the Gospel wherever the Lord sends us.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary continue to form us as faithful disciples and joyful missionaries, united in one heart and one mission.
St. Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!