26 March 2014- On March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, Filipino Elizier Salitamos joined four other seminarians as they were admitted to the Sacred Orders in Brasilia.

Mr. Salitamos, who hails from Batangas, has been living in Brazil since he entered the seminary four years ago.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Bishop Joseph Aparecido, Auxiliary Bishop of Brasilia. Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita witnessed the ceremony with her spouse, Mr. Mauricio Betita, Embassy translator Ms. Rosamari F. Candido, Brasilia-based Filipina nun Sr. Melanie Grace Illana, and Embassy staff Anjo Bea. 

Twenty percent of the Filipino population in Brazil, a predominantly Catholic country, are religious missionaries.  They are scattered in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Goias, and Paraiba.

The ceremony was followed by a reception, where family, friends and benefactors of the five seminarians celebrated the important milestone. END