Fr Kim Young In of the Columban International Leadership Team has provided an update on Columban vocations ahead of the ordination to the priesthood of Columban Deacon, Rev Larry Duerme.
At present, there are 40 inquirers across the Society who have expressed an interest in Columban mission. There are also 12 candidates in Phase I of the accompaniment programme throughout the various RMUs.
In addition, there are two candidates from Phase II of the accompaniment programme in the Myanmar Mission Unit (MMU) and one candidate from Phase II of the accompaniment programme in the Region of Korea were approved to continue their vocations journey through the Society’s International Formation Program in Manila.
These three new students will begin a year of English-language studies in Manila while living alongside fellow students and formation staff.
This will be their first significant cross-cultural experience, which is an essential element of our Columban charism and Columban identity. While this period will undoubtedly bring challenges and difficulties, their faith, commitment to God’s mission, and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit will continue to sustain them. We are also grateful for the prayers and support of the wider Society as they continue their vocation journey.
With the arrival of the three new students from Myanmar and Korea, the Initial Formation Programme in Manila will now have 16 students: seven from Myanmar, three from Korea, three from Oceania, and three from the Philippines.
Among these students, four have recently completed their First Missionary Assignment (FMA) and have returned to Manila.
One student from Korea and one from the Philippines completed their FMA in Chile, while one student from Myanmar and another from Korea completed theirs in Pakistan.
I extend my sincere congratulations to these four students. Their missionary experiences have provided invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and discernment as they continue their formation toward becoming Columban missionary priests. I would also like to express my gratitude to the FMA teams in Chile and Pakistan for their generous accompaniment, guidance, and support throughout the program.
The academic year at the Loyola School of Studies (LST) in Manila will start in late July 2026. The four students who have returned from Chile and Pakistan will continue their theological studies at LST. Three of them will enter their third year of theology, while the fourth, who previously completed some theological studies in Seoul, will begin the first of his two years of theological studies at LST.
Three other students who completed their Spiritual Year in 2025 successfully finished their first year of theology studies at LST recently. These students come from Kiribati, Fiji, and the Philippines. All three will begin their second year of theology studies in the next academic year.
Four students completed their theological studies at LST in May. During this next semester, they will devote themselves to a period of discernment in preparation for their Permanent Aggregation and Ordination to the Diaconate.
Meanwhile, another student is currently undertaking the FMA programme in Mindanao, which he is expected to complete in May 2027.
We also currently have one Columban deacon, Larry Duerme, who was ordained on 14th December 2025. Rev Larry is now serving in a parish as part of his diaconate ministry and is now in the discernment process that will lead toward ordination to the priesthood.
As the final stage of Columban initial formation, the diaconate ministry provides an opportunity for the deacon to exercise his ministry in his own country under supervision and guidance, helping prepare him for priestly ministry.
I humbly ask everyone to keep our Vocations Contact Persons and Formators in your prayers, together with our candidates in the Vocations Accompaniment Programme, students in formation, and our Columban deacon as they journey towards Columban missionary priesthood.
For more information on vocations and Columban Mission see: https://columbans.ie/join-us/