Alexian Brothers

Alexian Brothers in Service

Celebrating New Year's Eve has been a very anticipating event for each family. This event had been a symbol of hope for new beginnings to many of us. Unfortunately, not for our Dabawenyo brothers and sisters residing in Marang St., Brgy. Wilfredo Aquino, Agdao District, Davao City, as their supposedly happy new year celebration turned out to be their worst nightmare.

It was past 12’ o clock and everybody was busy in their celebration of New Year, when the hungry flames of fire broke out claiming the households of our fellow 127 families in the area. The merry sounds suddenly turned into sounds of wailing and weeping as they can’t help but watch the flames devouring their homes into ruins and ashes. They were left nothing but what they wore during the night of terror.

Aftermath of the fire incidents in Marang St., Barangay Wilfredo Aquino, Agdao District, Davao City

Fire victims line up for profiling, and for relief operation by the CSSDO and Team Acosta

Brothers residing in the Alexian Brothers Congregation Reformation House immediately opened their gates to the fire stricken families in their neighborhood, and provided shelter to the families at the very hour of the event. The victims found solace under the roof of the Alexian Brothers. They were provided with rooms to stay in and each section of the reformation house, including the chapel, prayer rooms, kitchen, dining area, library, and other areas of the facility, were turned into resting places for the affected families. Some facilities were offered to the victims for them to find peace. Psychological healing was what provided best to the families residing in their facility. The smiles in their faces were the proof that the brothers had been a great help to them, coupled with the blessings received from the government agencies and organizations.

Alexian Brothers Residence opened for evacuees to stay in.

Alexian Brothers Formation House lobby and rooms being occupied by the evacuees.

Reformation House Dining Area converted into a place the victims can stay in.

Furthermore, the Alexian Brothers is a catholic religious congregation with an advocacy centered on ministries of healing and service to the poor. The formation house that houses the fire victims was built on 1981, and had been a formation house for brothers learning the doctrine in the Alexian Brothers Congregation.

Kitchen area being utilized for evacuation center purposes.

A family enjoying the meal prepared by the evacuation volunteer cooks in the Reformation House prayer room

Hundred-year old Nanay Gasa Ortega being saved from fire residing in the Alexian Brothers Formation House

Children playing inside a room offered by the brothers

Fire victim families residing in the Alexian Brothers Chapel

The Alexian brothers began their ministry several centuries ago, serving the sick and the poor, and building hospitals to serve the community. The brothers remained committed to their ministry up to these present times, as they serve the victims of fire in their neighborhood, healing them spiritually and emotionally as they open their facility as shelter of comfort and peace. As the brothers may say, “The names and faces of the brothers may change, but the spirit of love and sacrifice remains. There is still much work to be done.”