scs revised.cdr - San Carlos Seminary

L
iving up to one's name is a challenging task. For almost two decades, the
SCSInformation has been trying its best to give justice to the name given to it by the
seminarians and priests who started this news bulletin of San Carlos Seminary.
However, we are proud to say that yes, the SCSInfo has lived up to its name. It is the (if
not THE only) news bulletin whose aim is not only to inform but at the same time forming the
minds of its readers. And more significantly, as we, the staff of this news bulletin, strive to
inform the readers with our articles and features, we ourselves are also being formed by this
publication to become future ministers of God's Good News.
In preparation for the twentieth anniversary of the SCSInformation next year, we will be
including commemorative pages in the coming issues. The front cover of this issue features
the first ever SCSInfo published in 1992.
Vol. 19, No.1
March - June 2011
HOLY HOURS
Days of Prayer Offered for the Pope
I
n response to the suggestion of the Congregation for the
Clergy and the directive of His Eminence Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales, archbishop of Manila, the San Carlos
Pastoral Formation Complex held a 60-hour Eucharistic
Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and for the
Increase of Priestly Vocations. The Eucharistic Adoration
also coincides with the sixtieth presbyteral ordination
anniversary of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The said activity commenced with the Celebration of
the Holy Eucharist on the 29th of June 2011, Solemnity of Saints
Peter and Paul and the Pope's exact date of priestly ordination,
and concluded with thest Office of Readings, Solemn Vespers and
Benediction on the 1 of July 2011, Solemnity of the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus. The whole formation complex gathered
at the San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel for the religious
endeavor. (Holy Hours, page 11)
Cardinal Rosales Given
Tribute in PnP Anniversary
M
The San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex Community held a 60-Hour Adoration for the sanctification of priests, increase in
priestly vocations and for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The First In A Thousand Years
Benedict XVI Beatifies Predecessor
T
he beatification of John Paul II was the first in one thousand
years that a pope would beatify his immediate predecessor.
Pope Benedict XVI dispensed the prescribed norms for the cause
of beatification. In his homily Benedict XVI said: “Even then we
perceived the fragrance of his sanctity, and in a number of ways
God's People showed their veneration for him. For this reason,
with all due respect for the Church's canonical norms, I wanted his
cause to move forward with reasonable haste.” This provision of
the Holy Father was solicited by the great fame of sanctity which
Pope John Paul II enjoyed during his life. It is also to present John
Paul II as a model of personal holiness. According to the Holy
Father: “John Paul II is blessed because of his faith, a strong,
generous and apostolic faith. It is the beatitude of faith, which John
Paul II also received as a gift from God the Father for the building
up of Christ's Church.” John Paul II's life was a clear sign of the
depth of his faith and the holiness of his life. The late Pope's cause
was brought to beatification in less than five years, compared to
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. The Second Sunday of Easter, which
the late pontiff entitled Divine Mercy Sunday, was chosen as the
date of the celebration because John Paul II died on the vigil of this
feast in April 2, 2005.
The miracle which paved the way for the beatification
of John Paul II happened to a French religious nun, by the name
of Marie Simon Pierre Normand of the Little Sisters of Catholic
Motherhood. She was miraculously healed from Parkinson's
disease.
Benedict XVI presided at the beatification rites at St.
Peter's Square in the Vatican.
One and a half million people from all over the world
including cardinals; patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic
Churches; bishops and priests; official delegations;
ambassadors and civil authorities; consecratd men and women
and lay faithful came to Rome for the momentous occasion. At
least 60,000 Polish people came to witness the beatification of
their beloved countryman. The Mass was celebrated with
traditional solemnity and with the impressive contribution of the
Sistine Choir, members of the choir of the Diocese of Rome and
the orchestra and choir of St. Cecilia. Approximately ten
minutes of applause followed the proclamation of Beatification
requested by Cardinal Agostino Vallini. Sr. Marie Simon Pierre
Normand smiled widely at the (The First In, page 10)
anila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, with the
clergy and laity from other dioceses gathered in Cuneta
Astrodome, Pasay City last June 9 to celebrate the seventh year
anniversary of Pondo ng Pinoy (PnP). PnP was initiated in June
of 2004 and aims to concretize evangelization through habitual
giving of twenty five centavos to assist in livelihood, health,
housing and other means of poverty alleviation.
The afternoon event commenced with the celebration
of the Holy Eucharist presided by Cardinal Rosales followed by
a series of animation, launching and tribute. Students and
teachers of MAPSA(Manila Archdiocesan Parochial Schools
Association). Schools showcased the talents of their students to
heighten the celebration. Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa
graced the occasion to acknowledge the participants and to
(Cardinal Rosales, page 11)
4 News
SCS gifts the Church
2 new priests,
9 new deacons
S
an Carlos Seminary takes pride in her most recent
contributions to the Church 2 new priests and 9 new
deacons ordained in the first half of this year.
Rev. Fr. Joel Huerto was ordained priest for the
Diocese of Iba, Zambales last January 29, 2011 by Bishop
Florentino Lavarias. Fr. Joel spent ten straight years of his
seminary formation in San Carlos. He is assigned at St.
Joseph Parish, Olongapo City where he also serves as
school chaplain. He is currently taking up his doctorate in
Educational Leadership and Management in La Salle
Taft.
Rev. Fr. Ricardo Amiling, Jr. was ordained priest
for the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc Lagawe last
February 25 by Most Rev. Rodolfo Beltran. Fr. Ric
finished his College Seminary formation at St. Dominic
Seminary, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. He now serves as
assistant priest in Sta. Rita de Casia Cathedral, Bontoc.
Nine new deacons were ordained last March 19
at the San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel by Bishop
Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary bishop of Manila. Three of
them belong to the Archdiocese of Manila. They are: Rev.
Edric Bedural, currently assigned in Nuestra Señora de
Guia Parish, Ermita; Rev. Herbert Camacho serving in
San Felipe Neri Parish in Mandaluyong, and Rev.
Kristoffer Habal in Sacred Heart Parish, Sta. Mesa. Four
belong to the Diocese of Antipolo: Rev. Moises
Beginning With The Spirit
L
ast June 13, 2011, the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, the San Carlos Seminary together with Lorenzo Mission Institute
(LMI), Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (HASS), Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (OLPS), Society of the Blessed Sacrament
(SSS), and Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit with formators, professors, and
seminarians present. The day was also graced by the presence of the the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales, as he presided the Holy Eucharist and was assisted by Rev. Herbert Camacho and Rev. Kristoffer Habal. His Eminence, in
his homily, said “Every beginning must begin with the Spirit.” and that this invitation must lead us to reach out to others. This mission
will then promote “kaayusan,” peace and order. His instruction to his seminarians is “to receive the Holy Spirit…to love Jesus.”
After his homily the Cardinal, the priests, and the professors, professed, as one, their faith and allegiance to the Roman
Catholic Church and its teachings. They vowed to instruct these doctrines and truths to the seminarians. Before the final blessing was
given, the rectors of the said seminaries presented their seminarians to his Eminence. With this, the Cardinal formally announced the
opening of the Academic Year 2011-2012.¾ Paulo Nicdao
Villamayor, who is now assigned at Our Lady of the
Abandoned Parish, Marikina; Rev. Glenn William
Relucio, serving the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage
Cathedral Shrine; Rev. Ferdinand Delatado, now in San
Clemente Parish, Angono; and Rev. Mark Anthony
Naval, prefect of discipline at John Paul II Minor
Seminary, Antipolo.
With them were ordained Rev. Robert Dulnuan
for the Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe and Rev.
Mark Andrew Simbul for the Archdiocese of San
Fernando, Pampanga. Rev. Robert is currently the
administrator of Sto. Nino Mission Station in Tinoc,
Ifugao while Rev. Mark is assigned in St. James Parish,
Betis, Pampanga. On the same day, Rev. John Paul del
Rosario was ordained by Bishop Jesse Mercado for the
Diocese of Paranaque at St. Andrew's Cathedral. He is at
present the Diocese Human Resources Director of
Paranaque.¾ Angelo Parlan
SCS DEDICATES A PIANO
TO VAN DE STEEN
Community Welcomes New Karlistas A
T
he San Carlos Seminary community formally welcomed the
new batch of Karlistas this school year 2011 2012 that
included eleven (11) Formation Year seminarians, twenty-three
(23) philosophy seminarians, and fifteen (15) theology
seminarians. Every department director delivered short messages
for the new comers. Pedro Molina, a seminarian-formator for FY,
encouraged the FY seminarians “to be open to the formation and
consider seminary as their home”. Fr. Rey-An Yatco, the Director
of Philosophy Department, stressed the significance of the
community in nurturing one's vocation. Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo,
Theology Department Director, challenged the senior brothers in
the community “to live the present moment well…with
overwhelming passion”. Finally, Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel,
the Rector of San Carlos Seminary, urged the seminarians to be
“heroes for God” with the fire of the Holy Spirit. ¾ Jerome Bantog
new baby grand piano was dedicated to the late Rev. Fr.
John Peter Yvonne Van de Steen, CICM, a former formator
of San Carlos Seminary, on his 25th death anniversary, last June
16.
His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales solemnly
led the prayer of thanksgiving during breakfast at the San Carlos
Seminary Main Refectory. He blessed the piano and a new set of
electric drums. After the prayer of blessing and dedication, some
seminarians and priests showcased their talents in playing the
piano which was accompanied other musical instruments such
as flute, violin and drums. Sem. Jonathan Cadiz played the
classical piece Each Sigh, Each Look of Van de Steen. Rev. Frs.
Carlo Magno Marcelo and Yulito Ignacio, both Fr. Van de
Steen's former students, also rendered musical performances.
Rev. Fr. Van de Steen is one of the pioneer CICM
priests who took over the administration of San Carlos
Seminary in 1953. Being a Director Cantus and Professor of
Music, he established the Carlista Choir, now known as the
Optimi Choir. The Optimi is his living legacy in the seminary.
As part of honoring this great man on his 25th death anniversary,
the San Carlos Administration purchased a baby grand piano
and named it after him. The Van de Steen piano is placed at the
SCS Main Refectory.¾ Dean Casabuena
News 5
KASAMA hosts
First Diocesan Day
S
CS celebrated the First Diocesan Day for this year hosted by
the KASAMA (Kapatiran ng mga Seminarista ng
Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila) last 16 June with the theme, “Simpleng
Buhay Tungo sa Kaganapan ng Buhay”.
The event commenced with the Eucharistic celebration,
presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Bernardino Cortez D.D.,
Auxiliary Bishop of Manila. “Prayer is not a matter of thinking but
a matter of loving”, says the bishop in his homily stressing the
simplicity and humility of prayer for attaining one's fullness of
life.
It was a day of brotherhood for the seminarians of each
diocese and concluded with a simple dinner and program during
dinner. ¾ Jason Alde
THEOLOGY STUDENTS LEARN PRACTICAL ENGLISH
T
he Theology seminarians of San Carlos Seminary underwent an English proficiency program facilitated by Talkshop, a premiere
facility for English communication, personality development and corporate training last June 6-17. The said program, headed by
Ms. Shiela Viesca, highlighted the importance of practical English not only for academic purposes but also for the pastoral ministry of
the seminarians.
Ms. Viesca and Mrs. Cecile Grace Matulac, her associate, gave lessons on Grammar and Speech and personality
development. With these, the seminarians were able to refresh their English communication skills both in written and oral form.
Moreover, Ms. Viesca taught proper etiquette in formal dining, and the do's and don'ts in conducting oneself in public.
As part of the intellectual formation of the seminarians, Rev. Fr. Joel Jason, Dean of Studies of the San Carlos Seminary
Graduate School of Theology, gave an emphasis on the significance of English language in understanding the courses in Theology
more clearly.
In an interview, Sem. Jonathan Cadiz, the Council President of the Theology Department said that Talkshop made him
appreciate the English language all the more both in speech and writing. Indeed, the said program helped seminarians not only to learn
English well but more importantly to foster their self-confidence in expressing their ideas in English.
Ms. Viesca firmly believes in the unlimited potential inherent in any person especially those who have the desire to improve
themselves in terms of language and communication. Talkshop is not simply about teaching the students theories. More importantly, it
seeks to motivate them in applying their learning in their daily life.
Soon, the Philosophy Department and Formation Year will also undergo this English proficiency program in the coming
months. The Formation Year students will be taught intermediate English while the Philosophers will be taught advanced English..
¾Franz Aquino
Magkabuklod sa
BukluRUN
I
n order to prepare the collegians for the annual Marian
pilgrimage to Antipolo, the Sports Committee of the Philosophy
Department initiated an activity called BukluRUN.
BukluRUN came from two combined terms,
“Bukluran” from buklod, the Tagalog term for “to gather”, and
“RUN”. This program aims at developing individual physical
fitness and group camaraderie through jogging, running, brisk
walking and other vertical locomotion. In short, it is common
jogging with a twist. BukluRUN happened thrice last month, on
June 13, 17, and 20.
Common jogging is not new to the seminarians because
it is being done in the past years as a preparation for the Marian
Pilgrimage. It is usually done two weeks before the pilgrimage.
The Sports Committee of the collegians thought of making the
common jogging more attractive by reinventing it and giving it a
name in order to make it more fun to encourage the participation of
all collegians.
The BukluRUN started at exactly 4:15 in the afternoon.
It always begins with a prayer so that the seminarians will not
forget the meaning and the purpose of their sacrifice followed by
the warm-up exercises, which is necessary to condition the body
for the RUN. The seminarians should have made three laps in order
to finish the activity. After running, cooling down was observed.
The activity was concluded with a prayer.
On the first day of this activity, the Sports Committee let
the seminarians run, jog or walk individually. But, on the second
day the seminarians ran, walked and jogged by bukluran. Members
of the bukluran were connected to one another using a straw. There
was also a bukluran picture taking after finishing the first lap. On
the last day, it was done by class. The committee also assigned
members with water guns around the track and others to drop water
bombs from the building, which the seminarians enjoyed. ¾
Jomari Echano
Fire & Earth in San Carlos
A
Fire and Earthquake Drill was staged at the grounds of San
Carlos Seminary last June 12, 2011 in order to raise the
preparedness of the seminarians of San Carlos Seminary in
responding to natural calamities. The Morong Volunteer's
Emergency Response Team, Inc., under the leadership of its
President, Mr. Raul P. Lopez, instructed the seminarians from
the Formation Year, Philosophy, and Theology Departments of
San Carlos Seminary on the basic ins and outs of Disaster Risk
Management, specifically what to do during earthquakes and
fire outbreaks
The one-day seminar started at around 9am in the SCS
auditorium. Mr. Lopez and his members introduced themselves
and their volunteer group which they founded from the bottom
up. While this was happening, two groups of seminarians each
from the Formation Year and Philosophy Departments, were led
blindfolded to the outside grounds of the seminary. They were
tasked to find their way back to the auditorium relying only in
their knowledge of the seminary area, their teamwork, their
sense of touch, and the occasional help from some members of
the Morong group. With several strategically-placed obstacles
to block their paths, the two groups eventually found their way
back to the auditorium, each going different routes. After they
were settled, Mr. Lopez asked a representative from each group
to report what they had been through. As it were, the Philosophy
group was able to get back earlier than the Formation Year group
owing to their greater knowledge of the seminary grounds. The
activity was meant to simulate a fire outbreak the blindfolds
represented smoke blocking the vision and the obstacles
represented fallen debris.
After the simulation, the Morong group instructed the
Formation Year, Philosophy, and Theology Departments to
create a floor plan of their respective buildings with their
corresponding hazardous areas and escape routes. The
seminarians presented their plans to the community while the
Morong group, who had done their own mapping a few
moments prior, compared their findings with what the
seminarians presented. They lauded the chosen escape routes
but also lamented the many hazards in each building, some of
which include lack of fire extinguishers and fire exits, broken
glass windows near staircases, and padlocked gates crucial for
emergency escapes.
After lunch, the seminar resumed in the SCS
gymnasium. The Morong group acquainted the seminarians
with some bandaging and first aid techniques. The former also
demonstrated the proper use of a vertical stretcher and the
correct procedure of applying Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) with the use of a human dummy. Then they split the
seminarians into two groups. One group was taught how to
rappel and the other was taught how to prevent a flame from
getting bigger by using fire extinguishers and pails of water.
After letting the seminarians practice for a few minutes, the
Morong group assigned them into the pail brigade, fire
extinguisher brigade, first aid group, and rescue teams. The
seminarians returned to their own dormitories to await a fire and
earthquake simulation. Following a long ring of the bell,
signifying an earthquake, and three consecutive shorter bells,
signifying fire, the seminarians went into action, assembling
first at the FY basketball court before proceeding with their
respective tasks. The mission was a general success. The
seminar ended with a word of thanks with Sem. Jonathan Cadiz,
president of the Theology Council, extending his gratitude to the
Morong group in behalf of the seminary community.
¾Kevin Cosme
5
6OPINION
Opinion
Confessions of a
Confessions
of a
PRO-RH
Bill Seminarian
T
Pro-RH Bill
Seminarian
EDITORIAL
BEAUTIFUL DREAMS
he first time I learned of the Bill, I admit, I was into it. I mean,
what could be wrong with this kind of bill? Is it morally bad to
put into law the protection of women and their babies? What's
wrong with promoting family planning and child spacing? Seeing
the millions of children, undernourished and under cared in the
shanties, living in the most destitute of manner, how can one say
that we do not need the RH Bill?
How can we say that Responsible Parenthood should not
“May you see all your beautiful dreams come true.”
be put into law? By all means it should be, and it should have been
Thus did the late Cardinal Sin, then Archbishop of Manila, closed his message, that
done a long time ago! We are already lagging behind countries that
appeared in the first issue of the SCSInfo published in August of 1992, as a congratulatory letter to
have already implemented the same measures to promote
responsibility in siring and rearing children. Is it not a common
the new seminary news bulletin.
story for us Church people to hear how a family in a squatters' area
One year from now, the SCSInfo will be celebrating its twentieth year of presence. Five
is living under one dollar a day only? With only the unskilled father
years of its existence may already be considered an achievement; ten years, already a feat; but
working to feed his six or eight children, most of whom will end up
twenty years it is triumph.
also having the same family because they were not educated.
How could we oppose such a bill that could at least start
This news bulletin of the seminary was born out of the dreams of simple people, who would
the fight against poverty?
just
like
to make a modest paper that would communicate God's message through their vocation.
I thought that the goal this bill is pursuing is not at all that
The
first
issue contained only twelve pages in short bond paper size print. It was not at all
bad. To dream of a healthy and decent family cannot be that bad.
This belief I held, until I met Ate Marina.
pretentious to mimic a University newspaper. It was just a simple newsletter that dreamt of
Last school year, during our urban poor immersion in the
promoting vocations.
PSIY program, I was assigned in the housing project of the
Its staff had not boasted of any expert on journalism, majority of whom are even
Rogationist fathers in Pasay. As usual, each of us was assigned to a
family where we are to stay overnight. I stayed in this family of
inexperienced writers themselves. They have not mastered journalistic style and composition, but
eight. As we were talking over dinner, while watching a TV
they have made SCSInfo not merely thrive, but succeed in its efforts to “Inform” and “Form.”
Program that gives away lots of cash prizes which by the way was
Despite the seeming lack, SCSInfo lived on, not just for a couple of years, but for twenty fruitful
the only program being watched at that time by the whole tenement
years.
building suddenly, there came out from a room Ate Marina. She
was introduced to me as the sister of my foster mother there.
This is where the greatness of SCSInfo lies: that in the face of amateur writers,
I was surprised, a little bit shocked in fact, with the way
inexperienced
editors, unmet deadlines, unsophisticated computers; beyond all these challenges,
she looked. Her whole body was bulging. She had incredibly big
the SCSInfo pursued its simple dream of becoming an instrument of God's Good News.
hands and feet, her eyes were red and protruding, the whole face
seems swollen and her whole body was bloated that she cannot
It is more than a story of success and achievement. It is certainly a story of grace.
move normally anymore. She was silent and just smiled at me a
little. Then her sister told me her story.
Ate Marina was their youngest
sister. She married and had borne their
first child. But intending not to get
pregnant again at the moment, she used
contraceptive pills. She took it for around
two years, and stopped when they decided
it was time again for them to have a child.
But she never had menstruation again until now. For seven years her menstrual flow stopped, and
slowly her body parts swelled until her whole body became so big.
Ate Marina was crying while her sister stood there recounting to me her story. “Alam mo
brother, siya ang pinakamaganda sa amin na magkakapatid. Napakaganda niya noon, pero ngayon
mukha siyang kinulam.” (You know brother, she was the most beautiful among us daughters. She
used to be so pretty. But now she looked like she is bewitched).
Ate Marina came to Manila to have herself checked by good doctors. She told me how
miserable her life became when her appearance started to deteriorate. She was teased and despised
by people, and worse, she could not bear another child for her husband. She glanced at me once in a
while, wiping the tears that stream from her bulging eyes. “It hurts even to cry,” she said.
I remembered watching this debate on TV on the RH Bill, and one member of the pro-RH
camp, a respected doctor from a prestigious State University said something like, “All medicines
may bring about side effects to the body if not taken properly. We cannot say that contraceptive pills
should be banned because of its side effects for the main reason that even the most basic medicines
like Biogesic may produce side effects when not taken properly.”
Sure, Biogesic or Alaxan may produce side effects, but can you consider the stop of one
woman's menstrual cycle for seven years a mere side effect? Some side effects may just be
occasional headaches or muscle pains that usually would just die down after some time. But
certainly, Ate Marina's condition is not just mere side effect, it was a bad effect from the use of oral
contraceptives.
The Pro-RH camp would always say that the Church is fighting the Bill from an
ideological point of view; that it had not considered the Bill and its implications in reality; that they
oppose the RH Bill without really knowing the situation of the people, the need for contraceptives in
the slum areas, and the growing poverty among the people who cannot control their child bearing.
The Church they say should come down to the people and see the “real” RH Bill at work.
I myself have been too ideological about it. I believed in the RH Bill and its goals because
what they seem to propose are really good for the people. Conceptually, they aim to alleviate poverty
by providing efficient and good medical attention for women and the family. And yes, I have been
too ideological about it.
I came face to face with the real RH Bill. I was able to know the Bill, not just by reading it
and learning its propositions, but by meeting it in person. I have come down to the people and saw the
real RH Bill at work. I know now what to support. ¾
Opinion 7
B
INVESTITURE
y the time this article comes out of press, the investiture of the St. John Bosco class should have
already taken place. Traditionally, July is the month when the sophomores of the philosophy
department wear their cassock for the very first time in a simple liturgy. The event is usually
exclusive to seminarians' immediate family members, supposedly to downplay any suggestion that this
firms up one's fate of becoming a priest.
But just the same, the rite could be a moving experience for parents. The past years, in fact, saw
some of the parents shed a tear or two, upon seeing their sons come out of the sacristy in pallid white
soutanes. With the congregation's applause and the music accompanying the dramatic entry, one cannot
help but dream of seeing all these young men ordained priest some day. That would certainly be a long
shot. And I'm sure both the seminarians and their parents understand that it's still going to be a long
journey.
I remember the evening when the tailor delivered the cassocks of this year's batch. I
commented to one, “Naku, magpapari ka na talaga.” With hesitation and much diffidence, not knowing
whether to smile or not, he could only reply, “Napakatagal pa po nun!”
Come to think of it, while these seminarians put on the white garment, which is actually a
clerical attire, their becoming a cleric someday is anything but certain. Maraming pang puwedeng
mangyari. That probably explains why for some time in the distant past, there was no investiture at San
Carlos Seminary. My guess was that the seminary fathers at that time were afraid people might get the
wrong idea that these young men were already clerics. And so seminarians, as soon as they step into the
philosophy department , could just have their cassocks on. No ceremony, no fanfare. In other words, it
was no big deal for seminarians to be wearing the clerical garb.
But there was a downside to that practice or rather the non-practice of investiture. It was said
seminarians at that time took their “sotana” for granted, in that they had treated it just like any other
uniform. After the mass, you would see them take their cassocks off, placing them on their shoulders like
towels. (Surely, it could sometimes be very uncomfortable wearing it the whole time, especially in a
tropical country!)
And so the investiture was reintroduced, purportedly to make
seminarians more conscious of the significance of what they wear. The year
was 1984, and our class we were freshmen then had the distinction of being
the first batch of investees. Since then, the practice has been a yearly event.
Coincidentally, it's always my advisory class, the sophomores, who take the
center stage during the ceremony. And I can readily relate with the
experience.
I don't really know whether investiture is a common practice among seminaries in the world. After all the soutane is not a
liturgical garb. Besides, it's only in the Philippines and maybe in other tropical countries that its color isn't black but white something
which not only makes sense, given the kind of weather we have in this part of the world, but also adds a new dimension to what it
signifies.
White is certainly a color very much associated with liturgy. It's the color worn at various liturgical celebrations, including
baptism, confirmation, first communion, matrimony and ordination. Accordingly, when a seminarian puts on his soutane for the very
first time at the investiture, he ought to be reminded of the wealth of significance the white color bears.
I remember Pope Benedict XVI's reflection on the symbolism of priestly vestments. He writes, “Putting on priestly vestments
was once accompanied by the prayers that helped us understand better each single element of the priestly ministry […].The texts of the
prayer expressed by the alb and the stole … call to mind the festive robes which the father gave to the prodigal son who had come dirty, in
rags. When we approach the liturgy to act in the person of Christ, we all realize how distant we are from him; how much dirt there is in
our lives. He alone can give us festive robes, can make us worthy to preside at his table, to be at his service. Thus, the prayers also recall
the words of Revelation, which say that it was not due to their own merit that the robes of the 144,000 elect were worthy of God. The Book
of Revelation says that they had washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb and thus made them white and shining like light (cf. Rv 7:14)
[…]. By putting on the alb we must remind ourselves: he suffered for me, too. And it is only because his love is greater than all my sins
that I can represent him and witness to his light.”
Can we not say the same thing about the white soutane? Aren't we not all like the prodigal son, sinful and dirtied, unworthy of
love? And when we get into our cassocks for the very first time, shouldn't we feel the same way the prodigal son did? It was his father's
love that made it possible for him to take off his soiled garments and change into a festive robe.
And so, to my advisory class, the St. John Bosco Class, my only advice is to remember that the cassock they would be wearing
from now on isn't just a uniform which identifies them as seminarians. More than just an outfit, it should remind us of Christ's salvific
love that cleansed us from our sinfulness. ¾
Authentic Human Formation
S
eminary life is the formation of future priests. We seek
to cultivate a life of virtue and exemplary conduct
among them. Although we aim of Christian perfection,
we are all too aware that seminarians will never be angels.
They will always be human beings. Hence, we strive at an
authentic human formation. As Cardinal Rosales points out,
there are different levels in the conscience of a priest. These
are: human, Christian, priestly; and each builds on the other.
The Updated Philippine Program of Priestly
Formation points out that HUMAN FORMATION is one of
the objectives of formation for priestly life and ministry in
the Philippines. HUMAN FORMATION is described as:
“The seminary aims at forming men of virtue and excellence
and goodness of character founded on psycho-emotional
integration and modeled on Christ’s example of authentic
humanity.”
There is no need to highlight the importance of
continuous self-discovery as to his identity and mission in
life. Foremost, the seminarian has to relate with himself.
This means KNOWING,
ACCEPTING and
APPRECIATING his unique
humanity. “Know Thyself”
is a philosophical adage
which is still very much true.
Knowing oneself comes in
discernment with others
and prayer with God. Relating with oneself is not
dichotomized from relating with others and relating with
God. Accepting and appreciating go hand in hand as one
comes to grips with one's lights and shadows. This also
entails his joyful, sorrowful, luminous, and glorious
moments of his life history and his experiences with his
family. Healing of past hurts is vital so that the seminarian
would be pastorally effective in the future. If not, this
candidate for the priesthood would be hampered in
leading parishioners to the “fullness of life” promised by
Christ.
The Ratio Fundamentalis enumerates the
following as essential in one's relationship with others as a
seminarian: RESPECT, JUSTICE, UNDERSTANDING,
and COMPASSION. RESPECT is courtesy accorded to
every human being. No matter how difficult a
relationship with another may be, it should not be lost, it
should always be there no matter what. JUSTICE is a
virtue worth fighting for, for it demands fighting for
others, especially the miserable among the miserable. The
poverty in our nation depicts the defenseless and
voiceless. It falls upon the priest as a Shepherd with
UNDERSTANDING and COMPASSION to have a heart
for these persons close to the heart of Jesus. The
seminarian needs to cultivate this
broader outlook of societal realities.
The seminarian as a man of justice is a
person enflamed by TRUTH and is
motivated by how he can be an agent
of TRANSFORMATIVE change.
Human formation begins with the self
but definitely does not end there. This
endeavor for the poor authenticates
the person and humanizes the seminarian as a human
being aware of societal realities.
In the end, human formation is integrated with
the other dimensions: community, intellectual, pastoral,
and spiritual. Priestly formation is the formation of a man
who will love the flock in the celebration of the Eucharist
with the grace of God and the prayers of the Virgin
Mary.¾
8 Features
RicH Bill, Poor Juan:
Some economic implications of the RH Bill
If you are one of those who think that the world is still
having a problem with overpopulation, think again. In the
September 27, 2004 issue of Newsweek, an article entitled Birth
Dearth by Michael Meyer tackled the issue of demographic winter
that many developed countries in the world, like Italy, Spain, and
Japan, are experiencing. The author wrote in his introduction:
“Remember the population bomb? The new threat to the planet is
not too many people but too few.” And this he proved by citing the
inconvenient truth that global total fertility (TFR) rate, which
refers to the average number of children per woman, has steeply
declined from 6 in 1972 to 2.9 in 2004. In fact many of the countries
who have implemented population control methods since the 70's
are now retracting and asking their women to produce more babies.
This happened in Singapore, France and some other developed
countries.
This is the background where we have to situate the
proposed RH Bill in Congress. And interestingly enough, the
proponents of the Bill cite the problem of overpopulation in the
Philippines in advancing the Bill. Proponents of the RH Bill are
saying that the Bill is a long-term solution to poverty exacerbated
by overpopulation. But, is our population growth rapidly growing?
Are we overpopulated?
According to the Philippine National Statistical
Coordination Board the population growth rate for the year 2010 is
at the low level of 1.82% per annum, a significant drop compared
to the 2.36% in the year 2000. Moreover the total fertility rate
(TFR) of the Philippines, which refer to the average number of
children per woman declined from 3.41 in the year 2000 to 2.96 in
2010. This means that we are already nearing the replacement level
of 2, which implies, that on the average, every woman over her
lifetime of reproduction will produce only two children to replace
her husband and herself. Take note that those countries located in
the Eastern and Southern Europe who are suffering from a problem
of an ageing population reached a very low TFR of below 1.3,
according to the United Nations Population Division article
entitled World Population Prospects published in 2005. Experts
predict that left on its natural course, the Philippine population will
decline starting 2050. The shape of our population pyramid will
begin to be an inverted pyramid, the current shape of the population
pyramid of Japan, Spain and other countries with aging population.
Definitely, we are not far from reaching 1.3 if we imbibe the
contraceptive mentality espoused by the RH Bill.
So if our population is no longer rapidly growing why are
we still poor? Isn't there a direct link between poverty and a rapidly
growing population, as the proponents of the bill would claim?
Although there are some studies that suggest that a rapidly growing
population is not ideal and beneficial for a developing country,
economists are divided in the issue of whether population growth
impedes or promotes economic growth. In other words, there is no
direct and clear-cut relationship between population growth and
economic growth. This was the conclusion of the studies of Nobel
Prize laureate Simon Kuznets, which was supported and confirmed
by many later studies. Moreover, contrary to the claim of RH Bill
proponents that population growth impedes economic growth, there
is a study done by George Akerlof, a liberal Nobel Prize laureate in
behavioral economics, which concludes that “the wide use of
contraceptives leads to the destruction of families, and indirectly to
greater poverty”. At least now there is a study that says that the
contraceptive mentality aimed to reduce the population may be a
contributing factor to poverty.
If it's not population, what contributes to economic growth
then? The 2008 Commission on Growth and Development found five
factors for growth: governance, openness to knowledge, stable
finances, market allocation, investment and savings. These five
factors directly impact economic growth.
If we follow the conclusion of the study conducted by the
2008 Commission on Growth and Development, then we can
conclude that the Philippines is poor because it does not have those
five factors necessary for economic growth. Our government may not
be creating an environment conducive for economic growth. Maybe
it is not serious enough in ridding the problem of graft and corruption.
Maybe the Filipinos would have to learn to save more for investment
purposes. Maybe the government should spend more in
educating its human capital because an educated human capital
has a greater opportunity in contributing to economic growth
than an uneducated one. The Philippines is rich in human capital
and it is proven by our millions of overseas Filipino workers
scattered across the globe who are contributing a significant
percentage to our Gross National Product (GNP).
The RH Bill definitely is not a long-term solution to
poverty as what its proponents claim because in the long-run we
will be facing the same problems being faced by developed
countries now with aging population. By then, our social
pension fund would suffer much pressure as there would be
fewer working citizens to replenish the fund than those
receiving pension. Also, with fewer productive citizens than the
unproductive ones economic growth will be next to impossible.
So, instead of looking at the quantity of the population, which
left on its own will increase in a decreasing manner, we should
focus on its quality. What enhances the quality of the population
is education. Education is more likely to be a long-term solution
to poverty because it empowers the human capital of an
economy. Education makes the human capital of an economy
more productive and hence more capable of contributing for
economic growth. But of course, this will only happen with the
sound and right policies implemented by the government. I hope
a reproductive health program espousing contraceptive
mentality will not be on the list of the government's sound
policies because it is not economically sound.¾Armando Lerios
______
1
Raul Nidoy et al. Position Paper on the Reproductive Health Bills. Retrieved from
<http://primacyofreason.blogspot.com/2011/03/position-paper-on-reproductive-health.html>.
Retrieved on June 15, 2011.
2
Raul Nidoy et al.
The author is an MA Candidate in Economics from the University of Asia and
the Pacific before he entered San Carlos Seminary in 2009.
Kaluguran Kita
(Kaibigan Kita) Aeta Mission 2011
“Hindi naman mahalaga sa amin ang pera, ang mas mahalaga sa
amin ay yung pagiging mabuting tao.” Nanay Dori
Marso 21 nang umalis ang bukluran 4 at 7 papunta sa
aming “summer apostolate” sa Sitio Flora, Barangay Maruglo sa
Probinsya ng Tarlac. Wala kaming alam kung ano ang aming
madadatnan maliban sa mga kwento ng mga naunang seminarista
na nakapunta na sa lugar. Bago kami umakyat ng bundok, tumigil
muna kami sa parokya ng Pura kung saan nakilala namin si Padre
Art na siyang nakakaalam ng misyon sa mga Aeta. Halos isang
araw kaming naghanda ng mga dadalin sa bundok dahil ang sabi sa
amin ay masyadong mahirap ang buhay doon para kaming mga
seminarista ay pakainin at patuluyin sa bahay ng mga katutubo.
Dumating kami sa Flora ng magtatakip-silim, dumating kami sa
Flora na mga estranghero at puno ng pangamba kung ano ba talaga
ang aming kakaharapin. Akala ko pag sinabi mong Aeta o
katutubo, sila ay mabangis, nakakatakot at mapanganib, ngunit
parang suntok sa aking paniniwala ang aking naranasan ng ang
mga ngiti at galak ang sumalubong sa amin sa lugar na aming
tutuluyan. Ito ang una kong pagkagising sa katotohanan tungkol sa
mga Aeta.
Madilim, malamig at nakabibinging katahimikan ang
bumabalot sa gabi sa kadahilanang hindi pa nakaaabot ang
kuryente sa lugar. Kung sa Maynila ang ika-pito ng gabi ay simula
pa lamang nang pagsasaya, doon ang ika-pito ng gabi ay
hangganan na ng ingay at gawain. Ang gabi para sa kanila ay
mahalaga sa kadahilanang ito lamang ang natatangi nilang pahinga
sa loob ng isang buong araw para paghandaan ang panibagong
umaga na puno nang pagsasakripisyo at pagbububo ng pawis para
sa ikabubuhay ng kanilang mga pamilya. Sa mga gabing katulad
nito, natuto akong matulog sa kubo na karton lamang ang sapin,
natutunan ko ang kahalagahan ng katahimikan at natanto ko ang
kabuluhan ng pahinga para paghandaan ang bagong araw na puno
ng pagbabanat ng buto at paglimot sa sarili. Ito ang
ika-dalawa kong paggising sa katotohanan tungkol sa
mga Aeta.
Bago pa man sumikat ang araw, bago pa
man tumilaok ang mga manok mararamdaman na ang
pagkilos ng mga tao sa paligid. Sa halip na ipahinga
pa ang katawan, mas pinipili nilang simulan ang araw
sa pinakamaagang oras na kaya nila para lamang
magkaroon nang panlaman sikmura ang kanilang
pamilya. Umaga ang pinakamatrabahong bahagi ng
bawat araw na lumilipas, sa mga umagang ito
naranasan kong maghukay ng lahar para maabot ang
lupa at maibaon ang mga tubong magsisilbing
patubig sa aming tinutuluyan. Hindi pala biro ang
maghukay sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw habang umiihip
ang tuyo at mainit na hangin. Pagkasunog ng balat,
panunuyo ng labi at pananakit ng katawan ang aking
naranasan, ngunit wala pa ito sa sugat, kalyo, sakit at
paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga Aeta sa bukid, sa
batis at sa bundok para lang may maipakain sila sa
kanilang mga anak na naghihintay sa kanilang pag-uwi. Doon pag
hindi ka nagtrabaho sa umaga, asahan mong wala kang kakainin sa
buong araw. Doon pag hindi ka marunong sa maraming bagay,
malamig na bangkay ang iyong kahihinatnan. Sa mga umaga ring
iyon ko natutunang magtayo ng palikuran sa kadahilanang hindi
naman sila gumagamit noon, magkarpintero, trabahador,
kargador, maghukay ng buhangin, magsemento at higit sa lahat
ang mga umaga iyon ang naging oras para aming makausap ang
mga Aeta sa kanilang mga tahanan na kung tutuusin ay isang bagyo
lamang ang magdaan ay tiyak na masisira. Sa aming pagkausap sa
kanila isang bagay lang ang kanilang pare-parehong sinasabi, na
masaya sila at kami ay nakadalaw sa kanilang lugar at masaya sila
dahil meron pa palang mga taong nakakaalala sa kanilang
sitwasyon. Ito ang ikatlong kong paggising sa katotohanan
tungkol sa mga Aeta.
Dito sa Maynila madaming mga “fastfood” at
restaurant ang pwede mong kainan pag gusto mo ng ibang
pagkain. Dito sa Maynila basta may pera ka pwede ka nang
bumili ng lutong ulam at kanin para makain. Sa Flora, sa mga
Aeta, walang kahit anong “restaurant” o “fastfood,” walang
kahit anong lutong ulam na pwedeng mabili at higit sa lahat
walang pera na pwedeng ipambili sa magustuhan nilang
pagkain. Sa ganitong sitwasyon ko naranasang kumain ng
musang na sa guni-guni ko ay hindi ko naisip tikman at
nasubukan ko ring magbayo ng nilupak para kainin sa hapon
pagkatapos ng lahat ng gawain. (Susunod na pahina)
Features 9
KALUGURAN...
Ang pagkain sa bundok ay pinaghihirapan at kahit kailan ay hindi
sinasayang dahil ang bawat butil sa kanila ay parang buhay na. Ito ang
ika-apat kong paggising sa katotohanan tungkol sa mga Aeta.
Ang mga kabataan ay kalimitang makikitang pumapasok
sa paaralan o unibersidad. Sa Maynila kalimitan mong makikita ang
mga kabataan sa lansangan o sa iba pang lugar, nagpapakasaya at
nakikipagtawanan sa mga kaibigan. Sa Flora, sa dalawang linggo
kong paglagi doon, napansin ko na wala ang mga kabataang kasing
eded ko, ang nandoon lamang ay ang mga magulang, matatanda at
mga bata. Sa pagtatanong ko natuklasan kong ang mga ka-edad ko ay
nasa bayan, mga isa at kalahating oras ang layo pag lalakarin ng mga
katulad nila ngunit kung mga katulad ko ay pwedeng abutin ng
dalawa hanggang tatlong oras na paglalakad. Nalaman kong
karamihan sa kanila ay naghahanap-buhay na kaagad sa murang eded
para makatulong sa kanilang mga magulang. Wala namang magawa
ang mga magulang para pigilan ang ganitong pangyayari dahil sa
kahirapan ng buhay sa bundok. Tila bagang ang mga kabataan ay
nawawalan ng pagkakataong maramdaman na sila ay kabataang
tulad ko, mga kabataang may karapatang mag-aral at mga kabataang
may karapatang lumigaya sa buhay. Ito ang ika-lima kong paggising
sa katotohanan tungkolsa mga Aeta.
Pagkatapos ng isang araw na gawain, sasapit na naman ang
gabi, mababalot na naman ng dilim, lamig at katahimikan ang buong
paligid. Madami pang pagmulat sa katotohanan ang aking naranasan,
akala ko umakyat kami sa bundok para magturo ng aming mga
nalalaman sa mga Aeta, ngunit nagkamali ako, ako pa pala ang
naturuan ng mga taong ito, ako pa pala ang mangmang sa kung ano ba
ang buhay, ako pa pala ang bulag sa katotohanan. Umakyat kaming
walang alam sa kung ano ba ang mamuhay sa bundok; bumaba
kaming gulat at punung-puno ng pag-asa na sa paglisan namin sa
lugar kami ay magiging mga instrumento para maghatid ng tulong sa
kanila. Sa aking pagbaba isa lang ang aking naging baon at iyon ay
ang aking mga mata na nakakita sa kung ano ba ang buhay ng isang
Aeta, mga mata na nakasaksi sa katotohanan ng hirap ng buhay at
mga matang marunong nang tumingin sa mas malawak na pananaw.
Ikaw anong kaya mong gawin para sa mga katulad nila? ¾Francis
Madarang
I
A Nun’s Story
t is not a common occasion that one is given the chance to peer through someone's personal and private life. So I
consider it as a privilege and great opportunity that I was given the chance to have a little chat with one of the newest
members of the San Carlos Seminary Family- Sr. Ma. Irene Reyes, MCST. With barely two years as part of the
community, Sr. Irene has not only effected a very noticeable change in our day-to-day menu but has also affected our lives in
this institution both generally and personally. It is my joy then to present to you some of the tiny yet personal details of this
simple MCST nun.
Family, Early Childhood and Adolescent Years
I am the third of five children born to Salvador and Erlinda Reyes. My family was a very simple one. My father
runs this very small footwear shop when he was still alive in order to provide for the whole family. The place, too, where I
was born and where I grew up was a very typical barrio. It was a very simple one, devoid of so many luxuries that we now
have because of modern technology. I think it was also this fact that helped in living out some of the vows I took when I
entered the religious life.
Like most of the children in our barrio, I also studied at our local elementary school- the De La Paz Elementary
School. After finishing my primary education there, I continued my secondary education at the Jacobo Memorial School of
Arts and Trade which was also near our home. It was during these crucial years of my life that I started to feel the desire to
enter the religious life. However, I decided that it would be better if I studied at an ordinary college first before pursuing this
vocation. So I entered Biñan College in order to take up a Secretarial Course which ended up as a Clerical degree. It was also
during my stay at Biñan College that I decided to work at the Royalty Garment in order to help my parents in paying for my
studies. After two years in college, however, I couldn't seem anymore to control the desire to enter the religious life, and so I
decided to leave College and follow my heart even if my father was against it.
Her Vocation
After two years of studying outside, I decided to pursue what I really wanted in life. And so it was because of this
that at the age of 20, I entered the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Face. I think it was on June 9, 1981 when I entered the
congregation. I could still vividly remember my intention in entering that congregation- “to help ease the sufferings of the
poor souls in purgatory.” Yet after two and a half years in this congregation, after much prayer and discernment, I decided
that this was not the place where I should be.
After sometime I was able to meet the Sisters of the Missionaries of Faith, which was an Italian Congregation. I
heard about their works and apostolate and I was somewhat inspired by them. So on the year 1983 I entered the
Congregation of the Missionaries of Faith. The congregation then sent me to Italy to do my apostolate there. It was there that
I was able to do so many things. I was assigned at the asilo (kindergarten) to take care of little children. I was also assigned at
parishes, at the Home for the Aged and in some seminaries. It was during this brief five year stay in Italy that I was able to
learn the Italian language and the Italian cuisine.
On November of the year 1988 I returned to the Philippines as a lay. Yes, my stay at the second congregation was
longer than the first one, yet, I believe was still a very brief one. I returned the country telling myself that I would not
anymore pursue this vocation even though I know that inside, I was still yearning to be a nun.
It was during my brief stay in our parish at Biñan that I was introduced to the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese
through the person of Sr. Marciana Relevo, MCST. She was very instrumental in my vocation story about the MCST. It was
on the month of December of 1988, barely a month after returning from Italy, that I decided to enter the Missionary
Catechists of St. Therese. At the beginning, I was really struggling to adapt to the new environment but in the long run, I told
myself that this was the community I was looking for.
Her Works as an MCST Religious
After undergoing the necessary procedures and stages of formation, I was sent back to Rome in the year 1990 to
continue my apostolate and, at the same time, my formation there. I went there as a novice and so I was the first novice, in
MCST history, to be sent to Rome.
Again I was assigned in different places in Italy. In 1991 I was sent to Milan to make my Temporary Profession
then afterwards, was sent back to Rome for a one year apostolate at Sedes Sapientiae. In 1992, I was transferred to
Conversano, Bari, Italy where I was assigned as the personal cook of Bishop Domenico Padovano, the Local Ordinary of
Conversano-Monopoly. It was in Conversano where I had my most unforgettable apostolate of attending to the needs of the
aged and the dying. It was here where I felt most a religious, as someone who helps others come closer to God.
I went back to the Philippines to continue my formation as a Junior. My next assignment would be at the CBCP as
the house and kitchen manager. I was assigned there for three years. In the year 1998 I was accepted as a candidate for Final
Profession this was a step ahead of my Juniorate days. And on June 3, 1998, I was able to make my final profession to God in
the MCST.
Many new assignments followed after my final profession. In August of 1992 I was assigned for two years as the
personal cook of Arch. Osvaldo Padilla in the Nunciature at Nigeria. Then I was assigned as the Kitchen supervisor of the
Archbishop's Residence in Cebu for another four years. I hope you don't get me wrong, when I say kitchen supervisor it's
just another way of saying personal cook. So anyway, it was after my assignment in Cebu that I was once more assigned to a
seminary, this time at St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary. Again, I was assigned as the Kitchen Supervisor for four and a half
years.
After that stay at St. Alphonsus Reginal Seminary I was then told that I would be reassigned at the Archdiocesan
Seminary of Manila-San Carlos Major Seminary. I could still remember that it was on December 17, 2009 when I arrived
and first had my tour of this seminary and up to the present I am still assigned here as, I think you would know that already…
Message to Seminarians
I just have one message to the seminarians: love your vocation! God gave it to you, so you should love it and do everything
you can to take care of it and nurture it. God Bless!
10 News
San Carlos Theologians
Attend Theology of the Body Talk
T
he seminarians of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology
from the three seminaries - San Carlos Seminary, Lorenzo
Mission Institute, and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary participated
in the Church Integration Congress of Couples For Christ as part of
the organization's Pearl Anniversary Celebration last June 24 at the
PICC.
CFC chapters from all over the world graced the event.
The talk on John Paul II's Theology of Body was the highlight of
the day's proceedings. Christopher West, a renowned speaker and
an expert on the Theology of the Body, explained in-depth the late
Holy Father's, now Blessed John Paul II's, Theology of the Body.
He reiterated to the couples throughout his talk that “before you
become Couples for Christ, you should first become Couples of
Christ.”
At the start of the program, Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani
Jr., D.D., Bishop-Emeritus of Novaliches, and Rev. Fr. Joel Jason,
the Academic Dean of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology,
gave short exhortations on the Theology of the Body. Bishop
Bacani also expressed his joy for the success of the organization in
which he had an involvement during its early years as Ligaya ng
Diyos Foundation. Fr. Jason also delivered a short message as to
how the late Holy Father's theology affected his life as a
seminarian, and now as a priest and professor.
The CFC Church Integration Congress culminated with
the Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Most Rev. Quevedo,
Archbishop of Cotabato, together with the bishops and priests
from the participating countries. ¾ Francis Guzman
The First In...
(From page 3)
Announcement.
Sr. Tobiana Lucyna Sobótka, the Superior of the sisters
who cared for him in the papal apartments, could not contain her
tears. There was also an applause for the slow unveiling of the
image of the new Blessed, reproduced on a tapestry hung on the
Loggia of the Basilica. Six hundred priests distributed communion
in St. Peter's Square, with another 300 along the side streets near
the Basilica. After the Beatification Benedict XVI, followed by the
cardinals, knelt in silent veneration before the coffin. The faithful
then filed past in prayerful silence. The casket was taken to its final
resting place in the Chapel of St. Sebastian beneath the altar of the
Basilica.
A vial of John Paul II's blood was displayed for the
faithful to venerate during the Beatification. Sr. Marie Simon
Pierre Normand, who was healed of Parkinson's disease through
the intercession of John Paul II, and Sr. Tobiana Lucyna Sobótka,
carried the relic in a silver reliquary to the Holy Father to venerate
before setting it in front of the main altar. The blood was drawn at
the bambino Gesù Hospital during the last days of the Blessed's
sickness. Two vials were then given to Cardinal Stanislaw
Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow and formerly Private Secretary to
John Paul II. The other vials were given to the sisters in the hospital
of Rome. One will be put in display and will then be kept by the
Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
On October 22 each year, in the Diocese of Rome and
those in Poland, the Feast of Blessed John Paul II has been inserted
into the Liturgical Calendar. Local bishops in other dioceses will
be able to do the same, as decreed by the Congregation for Divine
Worship. ¾ Ralph Jacob R. Tagle
Tro p i c a l St o r m F a l c o n
suspends Antipolo Pilgrimage
W
ith a maximum sustained winds of 85 kph with heavy
rainfall, Typhoon Falcon suspended the San Carlos
seminarians' annual pilgrimage to Antipolo. The pilgrimage was
scheduled last June 25, which at that time, heavy rainfall was
already being experienced in Metro Manila for days.
The annual trek to Antipolo is a much awaited event for
the seminarians. It is usually done towards the end of June, which
is also the typical time for rains and monsoons. For the past years,
the Antipolo pilgrimage had experienced slight rain showers, but
this is the first time the said pilgrimage is cancelled because of
heavy rains. The pilgrimage is re-scheduled this July.¾Ian Jarlego
“Glimpse of Heaven
through his Holiness”
L
ife is full of strangers and these strangers are friends
waiting to be discovered. If you were given a chance to
meet someone far greater than a stranger, a person who
would leave a fingerprint on your heart, the very mark that
touched countless lives, wouldn't that be an overwhelming
experience?
John Paul II is a stranger perhaps among the few
individuals. It is undeniably true that he was one of the most
beloved popes in the history, among the Catholics and nonCatholics alike. He captured the world's attention and
admiration during his 26- year pontificate. A person who,
despite his illness and infirmity, tirelessly preached the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. A true defender of life in all its forms and a
prolific writer on the tremendous value of the Eucharist and the
Holy Rosary; the very Pope in whose final years though
impelled by sickness, touched and inspired thousands of people
by his indomitable spirit.
Who would make the Filipinos forget the experience
of the 1995 Papal Visit those blissful days which were recorded
as the largest papal crowd ever? In fact, the Philippines is the
first Asian country to host the World Youth Day. On one of the
accounts about the Papal Visit, a Filipino stated his experience
like this: “I agree with the people who said that Pope John Paul II
seems to have a light that shines to all the persons who encounter
him. This light that envelops the Pope brings spiritual joy and
gives a feeling of experiencing the very presence of the Lord.
His humility says it all. The highest position in the Catholic
Church that once was unreachable became open to the entire
humanity through his humbleness.”
Even though far from his country, Rev. Fr. Yulito
Ignacio was able to make a significant contribution on the
occasion of the Pope's visit. During the World Youth Day that
was held at Manila, he was in Rome studying at the Pontifical
Gregorian University. Fortunately he was one of the four priests
assigned to transcribe the additional words which were not
included in the original prepared speech. While the pope
delivers his speech, simultaneously he listens and records the
words of the pope. One of the famous words he transcribed was,
“Now, I understand the Filipino Phenomenon.” Fr. Yulito felt
really privileged; he said that during that time, wherever he goes
in Rome, people of different nationality clap their hands when
they see Filipinos. The presence and words of John Paul II in the
Philippines defied distance and boundaries that even though
many Filipino priests were in Rome they were edified by the fact
that the Pope was in their own homeland.
We sometimes encounter people, even perfect
strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow
suddenly, all at once, even before a word has been spoken. To be
in the presence or just even to hear the voice of a holy man, a man
who in his life had experienced how to be a worker, an actor,
scholar, priest, bishop and most especially a Pope, somehow
brings a feeling of experiencing heaven on this Earth. We can
always share this Glimpse of Heaven to everyone bringing
Christ and being Christ to others, just like what John Paul II did
up to the very last moment of his life. ¾Xavier Paul Y. Jacome
START THE YEAR WOP!
F
illed with much optimism at the beginningof the school
year, the community of Theology Department cries out its
theme for this year, “WOP!”which means WITH
OVERWHELMING PASSION.
As part of the theology community orientation last
June 4, Fr. Carlo, the Director of the Theology Department,
facilitated an activity for the second year and fourth year
theologians to recall the experience of the community last year.
The first year and third year theologians listened to them as they
identified the most helpful activities and the activities that need
improvement last year. After putting together their stories and
insights, these became the material both for the first year
theologians to formulate their dream for the community and for
the third year theologians to formulate the theme of the
community for this year. Hence, WOP was born.
For the previous years, WOP had a negative meaning
referring to a violation called With Out Permission.One can find
this in the log book of theology seminarians. To be a Wop-er in
this sense means, one violates house rules by going out of the
seminary premises withoutseeking permission from the
formators. But starting this year, WOPnow stands forWith
Overwhelming Passion.But what does it really mean? With
every member of the community participates and finds a way
from me to we;Overwhelming
every member of the
community goes beyond the minimum, strives for excellence
and goes for the extra mile;Passion every member of the
community pursues its dream and does everything with love. To
be a WOP-erin this sense means, one responds to seminary
formation with overwhelming passion.
This year, the community of Theology Department
seeks to color their activities with overwhelming passion: To
transform fats to muscles WOP! To transform cinco to
unoWOP! To transform fashion to passion! To pray WOP!To
study WOP!To clean WOP!To cooperate WOP!To pay our dues
WOP!To go to class WOP!To be punctual in every schedule
WOP! To go to our apostolate area WOP!To practice fraternal
correction WOP!
For the community of Theology Department, WOP is
the driving force that aims to seize many opportunities in
seminary formation. Can you do things WITH
OVERWHELMING PASSION? ¾Jonathan Cadiz
News 11
CARDINAL ROSALES...
(From page 3)
introduce the purpose of the event. De Villa commended the
Filipinos in supporting PnP which, she claims, is an effective
means in alleviating poverty. The Ambassador also states that this
rightfully calls for a tribute for Cardinal Rosales being the man
behind this charitable cause.
FESTSCHRIFT for the Cardinal
Msgr. Gerry Santos introduced the book entitled From
Vision to Pondo ng Pinoy: A Festschrift, a one hundred three page
compilation of articles that lauds the efforts of the Cardinal in
introducing and maintaining the PnP for seven years. The articles
were written by priests and scholars discussing the Vision
statement of the Archdiocese of Manila. Each element in the
Vision serves as the spring board for the “Philosophy of the Little”
and “Theology of the Crumbs” of PnP. Copies were given to the
contributors.
As of May 31, 2011, there are 22 participating
dioceses and apostolic vicariates of PnP. The collected funds
are used in micro-finance projects to support small family
business; micro-enterprise such as building wheelchairs in
Tahanang Walang Hagdan; education assistance for the Aeta
children in Iba, Zambales; paralegal assistance in Kalookan
City Jail; housing projects for the St. Hannibal Empowerment
Center; and health care through Hapag-asa feeding program
and Pan de Savio in Mandaluyong to cite some.
“Providing food, shelter and livelihood to poor
people is important. But more important is the culture of
giving and helping one another and the sense of
empowerment in being able to do good things that PnP creates
in both giver and receiver,” Cardinal Rosales said.
¾Jeff Reyes
SEVEN LAUNCHING
Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, whose diocese is a
participant of Pondo ng Pinoy launched seven new programs to
provide a deeper appreciation, understanding and participation of
PnP to concretize its theme for the celebration, “PnP@ 7: Way to
Go.” The programs include stories of beneficiaries of PnP; photo
exhibit; poster making contest; pastoral care for children;
community enhancement programs; nominations for best
practices of PnP in parishes and schools; and the launching of the
new website, www.pondongpinoy.org.ph.
16-19-31
In his homily, Cardinal Rosales stressed the numbers 1619-31; the Gospel verses that inspired the Theology of the
Crumbs. Lazarus, the poor man in the Gospel, neglected by the
rich man and feeding on the crumbs falling on the latter's table. “It
only takes a crumb, twenty five centavos to help someone in need;
the crumbs which the rich man never offered to Lazarus,” the
Cardinal remarked.
The main thrust of PnP is articulated in the maxim:
“Anumang magaling, kahit maliit, basta't malimit, patungong
langit.” It is an expression of doing good deeds, however little they
can be, as long as it is done regularly can bring forth habitual
charity and compassion towards the poor and the needy.
HOLY HOURS...
(From page 3)
A Church-wide Celebration
The Congregation for the Clergy, headed by Cardinal
Mauro Piacenza, proposed the 60-hour Eucharistic adoration as a
sign of gratitude to God and the faithful's unity with the Pope as he
celebrates his sixtieth year as a priest. According to the letter from
the said Congregation, the hours of adoration can be done
continuously within three days, or distributed throughout the
whole month of June, and is suggested to end on July 1, feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Day of Prayer for Priests.
Consequently, in a letter to all the clergy and religious
men and women of the Archdiocese of Manila, Cardinal Rosales
emphasized that “this presents an inspired occasion for us to
present a sincere manifestation of our spiritual union” with the
Holy Father. Moreover, he also noted that this was an opportunity
to “celebrate this milestone with hearts overflowing with
thanksgiving to God for the gift of His Holiness, Pope Benedict
XVI.” His Eminence mandated the said spiritual activity for the
Archdiocese of Manila. The Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission
of Manila also prepared a prayer booklet to be used during the said
adoration. Documentations photos and videos of the 60-hour
adoration with a one-page written summary of activities were also
requested by the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese. This in turn
will be sent to the Holy Father.
words that remained in him during that momentous occasion.
“Sixty years on from the day of my priestly ordination, I hear once
again deep within me these words of Jesus that were addressed to
us new priests at the end of the ordination ceremony by the
Archbishop, Cardinal Faulhaber, in his slightly frail yet firm voice.
According to the liturgical practice of that time, these words
conferred on the newly-ordained priests the authority to forgive
sins. “No longer servants, but friends”: at that moment I knew deep
down that these words were no mere formality, nor were they
simply a quotation from Scripture. I knew that, at that moment, the
Lord himself was speaking to me in a very personal way. In
baptism and confirmation he had already drawn us close to him, he
had already received us into God's family. But what was taking
place now was something greater still. He calls me his friend.”
Pope Benedict XVI was ordained after the tumultuous
years of the Second World War, and he was not spared by the
horrors of that period. In 1943, he was drafted into a German antiaircraft corps and was even sent to a Prisoner of War camp for some
months in 1945. After the war, he re-entered the seminary with his
brother Georg and studied philosophy and theology in the Higher
School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and at the
University of Munich. They were both ordained at the Cathedral of
St. Mary and St. Corbinian in Freising on 29 June 1951 by Cardinal
Michael von Faulhaber. In one of his writings he recalls: “ ...at the
moment the elderly Archbishop laid his hands on me, a little bird
perhaps a lark flew up from the altar in the high cathedral and
trilled a little joyful song.”
Pope: He calls me His friend
In his homily during the celebration of his sixtieth
anniversary in the priesthood on June 29, the Pope remembers the
SCPFC responds
The Eucharistic Adoration was participated in by the
three Archdiocesan Major Seminaries San Carlos Seminary,
Lorenzo Mission Institute and Holy Apostles Senior Seminary.
Priest-formators, seminarians and lay personnel committed at
least an hour of Eucharistic adoration. Religious and lay staff of
the Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese of Manila
(ICAM) and Lay Formation Center (LAYFORCE) also joined
in the vigil for the said intentions. All of these institutions are to
be found within the San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex in
Guadalupe, Makati.
Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector of San Carlos
Seminary, in his homily during the final Benediction, thanked
the seminarians and all the people within the complex for their
sincere and faithful participation during the days of prayer,
especially those who stayed up in the early hours of the morning
for the continuous vigil.
The seminary community also found the days of
prayer very opportune to pray for the sanctification of priests
and for the grace of new priestly vocations, which is a challenge
for the seminary currently because of the decreasing number of
candidates for the priesthood, particularly in Manila.
Fr. Yulito Ignacio, a Spiritual Director in the seminary
moreover observed that this prayer vigil has become very timely
for the Church, who is now facing a lot of issues both from
within and without. In fact the Pope himself is being attacked,
particularly with regard the recent sexual abuse scandals. These
days of intense prayer, Fr. Ignacio said, is what the Church needs
right now, and he is very happy that this has been the response of
the seminary community to the invitation of prayer offering for
the Pope and for priests.¾ Marion Noel Q. Bayaras and Kali
Pietre M. Llamado
12
BACKSPACE
MSGR. DING
IN ACTION!
“What is it not?...
Then what is it?...
But wait, there’s more...”
This cartoon
appeared in
the first
issue of the
SCSInfo
published in
1992.