COMMUNITY VERSE
"I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that the Father told me. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last " - John 15:15-16
THE FDMC STORY
The Friends of the Divine Mercy is a Catholic Charismatic Community born in 1991. It is a community promoting a renewed life in the Spirit, at the same time propagating the devotion to the Divine Mercy.
The community traces its origins to the journey of its founder, Bro. Rene Tumang, who now serves as its adviser and director. In 1989, Bro. Rene attended his first Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar sponsored by the Oasis of Love Catholic Charismatic Community and, thereafter, became an active worker of this community.
In 1991, responding to a bigger call, Bro. Rene, together with a charismatic group based in Singalong, Manila founded the Divine Mercy Community. It took after his inspiration of evangelization with propagation, especially since he was himself a devotee of the Divine Mercy.
It had around 40 members who attended the regular prayer meetings, which had no definite venue at that time. It moved from St. Anthony Church in San Andres, Manila to St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Dian, Makati to Kababaihan ng Maynila office in San Andres, Manila in a span of six years.
In 1996, the community found a home in St. Camillus Centre at the Our Lady of La Paz Parish in Onyx St., Makati City. It stayed there until January 2006. From February 2006 to November 2006, the community held its prayer meetings at the House of David, State Condominium Building, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila
The community registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 1998, giving it a legal identity. With so many groups identified with the Divine Mercy, the elders of the community decided to rename the community as FRIENDS OF THE DIVINE MERCY COMMUNITY.
The community went about its regular activities - weekly prayer meetings, average of three live-in Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminars in Tagaytay yearly; and once a year, a medical-dental mission, and gift-giving to children.
Caloocan Chapter in Bagong Barrio Caloocan in December 2004; Pasig Chapter in Sta. Clara de Montefalco, Pasig City in January 2005, Pasay Chapter in Our Lady of the Airways Parish, Pasay City in June, 2005 and Manila City Jail Chapter in March 2006.
In July 2006, the community estabished its first provincial chapter - Bacolod Chapter in Bacolod City. In February 2007, the Mandaue Chapter in Mandaue City, Cebu followed suit.
Realizing that the Lord is prompting the community to go farther, it established in September 2002 its first chapter - the Malabon Chapter in San Bartolome Parish, Malabon City. Having Fr. Ric Torrefiel as FDMC Spiritual Director, who also happened to be the parish priest of San Bartolome, was a major consideration then as to where will be the first chapter of the community.
Thereafter, more FDMC chapters were born, namely: Villamor Chapter, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City in February 2003; Las Pinas Chapter in Good Shepherd Parish in Manuela, Las Pinas City in April 2004; Caloocan Chapter in Bagong Barrio Caloocan in December 2004; Pasig Chapter in Sta. Clara de Montefalco, Pasig City in January 2005, Pasay Chapter in Our Lady of the Airways Parish, Pasay City in June, 2005 and Manila City Jail Chapter in March 2006.
In July 2006, the community estabished its first provincial chapter - Bacolod Chapter in Bacolod City. In February 2007, the Mandaue Chapter in Mandaue City, Cebu followed suit.
In April 2007, a mission was started in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a Spiritual Enhancement Seminar conducted by Bro. Rene to a Filipino community there. Thus was born the community's first foray into the region.
On May 2007, the FRIENDS Divine Mercy Apostolate was conceptualized to establish framework that would prioritize propagation of the devotion to the Divine Mercy. Under the apostolate is the flagship activity for the propagation, the Divine Mercy on the Block -- an acitivity similar to the Block Rosary where the Divine Mercy image is enthroned in different household every week.
Outreach communities were established in Binangonan, Rizal, Talim Island and BF Las Piñas in July 2007 and January 2008, respectively.
In September 2010, the community added Single Friends as its newest chapter. It was called initially as Friends @ Work, to cater to young professionals or people from the workplace. It was renamed as Single Friends in January 2011, with a new focus on young professionals who are unmarried.
Currently, the community holds its weekly leadership formation, "Jacob's Well (where folllowers become leaders)" at 2/F Lay Formation Center, San Carlos Seminary Complex in Guadalupe, Makati City, Wednesdays, from 7:30-10 p.m. It is a venue for members who want to be trained as leaders through the development and enhancement of their charisms.
Every last Sunday of the month from 2-6 p.m., the community gathers at Layforce Chapel, San Carlos Seminary for "Treasures," where members from the different chapters come together for a Eucharistic celebration, praise and worship, spiritual teaching and healing, and fellowship.
The Friends of the Divine Mercy Community is a duly registered member of the Federation of Transparochial Charismatic Communities (FTCC) under the Archdiocese of Manila.
