My dear seminarians,
It’s been quite awhile since I had my formal dialogue with you. I consider the time I sent you home during Home visits and my reception every after your visit my time to give you the “rector’s talk”. But I felt the need now to give you some advice as the head of the house with regards to your formation as a seminarian.
I will not be talking about discipline nor about spirituality because they are tasks of the prefect of discipline and the spiritual director. Fr. Toter and Fr. Quini regularly talk regarding rules and your behavior while inside the seminary; and Fr. Richard, Fr. Bubut ,Fr. Jun-jun and Fr. Clarence our guest spiritual director, always avail themselves for your sanctification. Let us say that we, your formators, are here to help you mold yourself in order to become a worthy priest in the future.
Let me talk to you about the nature of our seminary. Please bear in mind that you are not in an ordinary school like La Salle or Canossa. We are far different from them. We have a separate identity. They are just an ordinary school for elementary and high school --- but with class. Ordinary. No different from any other basic educational institution.
Seminary is an apostolate of the church. Our church where we belong to wants to continue Christ’s mission to spread the Good news. She does not want to end Christ’s word, “I will be with you until the end of the world”. Thus, it is the duty of the Church to continue forming priests for the continuation of her & Christ’s mission on earth. You (seminarians) are now the hope of the Church.
If the Archdiocese of Lipa has not responded to this call of the church, to take care the priestly vocations, we will not all be here and there might not be a chance for us to meet. We are here first and foremost because of this mission --- to form and care the vocations to the priesthood. We could have enjoyed life in the parish serving thousands of men and women. But because the Church knows that it is important to form future priests, seven priests were assigned here just to take care your vocation. We are here for the Church’s mission and for you.
Thus, what I am now asking from you is, first, have a grateful heart. You might have felt already that you are a blessing to your family when you choose to enter the minor seminary. Many have change after you entered the seminary. Your parents saw your decision as a blessing to the family. And I tell you, the whole archdiocese is also happy and grateful for having 80 seminarians this year. Priests that I meet always asked me, “ilan na ba ang ating mga seminarista sa minor?” and I always responded, “80 na po”. And they always remarked, “ang galling! (Sabay ngiti at tapik sa balikat.)”. You really are a blessing to us.
Second, openness to the formation. There are things that you cannot understand and keeps you bothered by these especially when you are alone with yourself. Times that formation needs you to give up something that you most love--- like playing. Why you have to do this, why you have to feel this way. But one thing will I tell you now, when you become a priest, there are so many experiences, circumstances and opportunities that you will not hastily understand--- that will remain a mystery to you--- that your only tool is your faith and your love for the church. You may feel hurt because we always wanted you to do something that you do not like to do ---- but for us this will bring good to you as a seminarian.
Third, develop while here in minor seminary your love for prayer and devotions. When you become priest someday, one thing will always be put to compromise--- your prayer time. While here in minor seminary, you are not expected to be completely expert in prayer. What is demanded from you now is “to come to know and follow Jesus” (PDV). Knowing Jesus through scriptures, sacraments and your own personal faith experiences will drive you to love Jesus.
The effectiveness of any priestly formation is not based on the formation program alone. I believe that the bulk of formation is founded on the person of seminarian. Thus I encourage you to heed the call of our dear patron saint, St. Francis De Sales, to have a holy desire of a devout life (a life completely dedicated to God).
Fr. Joden Tenorio
5 October 2009
