Building Honesty and Integrity through Seminary Formation

               In the status quo, the society is now in the battle of sustaining and preserving human values against the influences of modernization or even post modernism. Social upheavals, spiritual trends and cultural differences are some of the many factors affecting our human perspective to the extent of forgetting essential values which make us human being, rational, existential. Thus, building honesty and integrity through seminary formation is eventually a prudent move to deter the impending effects of such predicament. But, what is honesty? Integrity? Is it really relevant to the seminary formation per se?

            Speaking of honesty, this abstraction of values somehow leads me to take a glimpse of my childhood. I have learned since then the basic importance of honesty. Play fairly. Do not get things which are not yours. Return the things where you first found them. Tell the truth to your parents. It sounds funny and basic yet are striking demeanor worthy to emulate. Out of my juvenile mind, I learned to accept it until now these universal values which I need to possess in confronting the world, in relating with others and in forming my own personhood. Consequently, being genuine and true to whatever we do and say is an act of justice. This will able us to grow as a person with integrity and of not hiding our own true self. According to the Book of Sirach, “If you try to be honest, you can be and it will improve your character ass handsome clothing improves your appearance (27:8)”. Indeed, being honest will truly help us to be responsible and be mature individual ever ready to conquer any vicissitudes in life may come.

            In the Social Teaching of the Church, Caritas Veritate, speaks to the society that “the primary capital to be safeguarded is man, a human person with his or her integrity”. This posits the emphasis on the nature of person that needs to be protected and respected wherein his or her integrity defines his being human. Thinking of integrity, it defines completeness. It marks by honesty and other essential values. It is incorruptible, sound. As a mundane individual, giving tremendous efforts to establish honesty, integrity is already at hand. Thus, the wholeness of being, of having, of doing and of living human values is the primary principle to attain and have that integrity.

            “Educating the youth in justice and peace”, was the words uttered by Pope Benedict XVI during the celebration of World Day of Peace last January 2012. The trust and hope he entrusted to the youth is somehow a challenge to the youths themselves, to the communities of the faithful, to different institutions and to the Church. Pope was talking about justice and peace, but if we are going to reflect on it, we may realize that all other values such as honesty and integrity are parts to its realization. The seminary formation as an institution is valuing the importance of educating the youth. Specifically, the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary aims to mold and cultivate the seed of religious vocation in the hearts of the youngsters. Guided by the formators and rule of life, the seminarians are being formed to become a man of prayer, a man of competence and a man of service. With the four aspects of formation such as intellectual, human spiritual and pastoral hone every seminarian to build their own philosophy in life rooted in human values for their future endeavor. In following the schedules faithfully is a deportment of being honest not only to others, to God but also even to oneself. Being a brother’s keeper, an honest friend, submitting oneself to the formation are good signs of well establish integrity. Thus, building of honesty and integrity through seminary formation is manifested.

            According to the Dalai Lama, “Responsibility does not only lie to the leaders of the community or to those we have been elected or selected to do a particular job. It lies to each one of us.” This aphorism or statement speaks that building this honesty and integrity is not the sole responsibility of the seminary formation. It is in the seminarians will to form themselves. Seminary formation is just an aid to achieve such goal. It is indeed my task, your task, our task in preparing ourselves for more challenging future ministry or any other walks of life we might be. It is a challenge to all of us. I can. Can you?

NDASeminarians Lifelong Journey towards Spiritual Development

 Nowadays, we are confronted with myriad of societal problems. The issues of drug addiction, rampant spreading of heinous crimes, life abuses, poverty, and many other concerns are clamors that strike on our minds. It seems to be annoying in our part because there were already several solutions and actions we took in order for these concerns to banish in our society. But we always failed to attain the desired goals that we have. We cannot refute to accept that we cannot change these horrific things to good just in a snap of our finger. We need superfluous efforts, infuse tremendous tasks and take risks in order to minimize little by little the concerns and issues that we are facing in the status quo.

            The role of forming and ameliorating ones spiritual aspect can be a strengthening factor to sustain and achieve our main goal of having spiritual developed individuals. Flourishing the spiritual needs of an individual will lead to positive and good outlook in life. It will develop and harmoniously cultivated the sense of knowledge, conduct and concentration towards common good. With these efforts, strong and formed spirituality will help the person to perform right action that conforms in the society. Hence, this is one way to respond the call of change to diminish societal problems towards nonviolent milieu.

In the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary, seminarians are formed to become responsible individuals. It enlivens to promote, nourish and develop holistic development among seminarians especially on their spiritual aspect. Furthermore, it upholds competent, well disciplined and service oriented seminarians developed through formation programs guided by their rule of life.

Looking, at the community of seminarians, they entered the seminary purposely to become priests. They submit themselves for the formation to devote themselves for the service of the Church. Considering this goal, the seminary formation program wants to make these seminarians become truly and genuinely persons in the likeness of Christ Jesus. Thus, the four aspects of human person’s life must be developed in the context of seminary formation.

A seminarian should exercise his faith and love of prayer constantly to become closer and intimate to God. Besides with that love for prayer, he must also develop and do extremely well intellectually to become good and active priest in the future. Moreover, he `should be formed also in social and pastoral works so that he would be open to others and be prepared for his future duties and responsibilities. Subsequently, all these preparations in the context of seminary formation are somehow complementary and are of help to the spiritual maturity of the seminarians.

For a seminarian to become a man of God and of prayer he must grow in his spiritual life and that he “”…may learn to live in intimate and unceasing union with God the Father through his son Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit” (Pope John Paul II, 1992, p.124). Gradually, he must learn the love and devotion to prayer in his early stage of priestly formation. According to Pope John Paul II as stated:

Prayer should lead candidates for the priesthood to get to know and have experience of genuine meaning of Christian prayer, …a dialogue that becomes a sharing in the filial conversation between Jesus and the Father (p. 130).

            Prayer is so essential in one’s life and it is understood as contact with God, communicating with Him. Moreover, it solicits a generous response through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thus, spiritual maturity of a seminarian is enhanced through devotion and love of prayer, Eucharistic celebration, reading the Scripture and other spiritual readings, group faith sharing, spiritual direction, retreat and recollections and spiritual conferences. These are also considered as the programs of the spiritual formation of the seminary.

            Moreover, there are instances that can be ready to lend a hand to fortify and increase the spirituality of seminarians. The formators themselves can be best example in instilling a strong faith in God in the hearts of seminarians. It is precisely because they are good teachers and witnesses of the faith to the seminarians. By their deeds, their actions, sharing and testimonies of their lives, confession, the formators can bequeath avenues to transmit and instill a strong and living faith to the hearts of seminarians. So, in some way or another, they should be agents of the spiritual progress of seminarians. It is significant, moreover, that these seminarians should manifest a profound love for prayer. They must be convinced that prayer is a vital element and constraint in their priestly life in the future. Furthermore, they must learn to pray, to use the moments of prayer in the best way, which give them the best result. For according to the Synod Fathers, “without spiritual formation pastoral formation would be left without foundation and that spiritual formation is an extremely important element of priest education” ” (Pope John Paul II, 1992, p.123-124).

According to the seminarians, it is very clear to them the existing policy and programs in regard to the spiritual formation inside the seminary and is of great help to them to be aware of such. Before entering the seminary, the aspirants are oriented and prepared for the seminary life. In fact, spiritual formation is the primary objective and given emphasis in the formation that the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary wants the seminarians to undergo. They uphold the idea and concept of spiritual development among aspirants in preparation for priestly vocation. Consequently, the knowledge or awareness of the seminarians in this kind of formation helps them to understand fully on what road they must take or travel with the aid of programs and activities present. Furthermore, the wisdom that the seminarians possessed in understanding the situation of seminary life brings them good and positive feedback towards keeping this kind of formation possible. Subsequently, it enlightens the minds of the aspirants to enliven good intention and desire in following and fulfilling the kind of spiritual formation. The good intention that the seminarians are thinking of is because of the right view of what kind of spiritual formation they experience inside the seminary.

Therefore, the wisdom that the seminarians grasp from the spiritual formation of  Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary helps them to formulate the right view and right intention in relation to the cognitive aspect of wisdom of eightfold path. They will encounter in their lives ad hear the invitation of this life in a new way and to adopt a new way of living. In its crucial moments however everything depends on how these seminarians respond. It requires and motivates the seminarians to pull out their desire to outside pleasure, to enable them to resist from the feelings of anger and aversion and meant them to think positively and morally not of cruelty, violently or aggressively. Hence, it develops their compassion towards their chosen vocation specifically on their spiritual aspect.

With all the understanding and wisdom of what kind of spiritual formation the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary has, it brings to the aspirants to respond accordingly without hesitation to the spiritual formation. They believe that the formation can help them to develop one’s spirituality. In this regard, they fully submit their whole self to the formation by following the rules of life religiously. In addition to that, by following the schedule and intended activities can elate their right intention of healthy spiritual life in the seminary. Hence, the predicament may lead to wealthy social environment to the seminarians which accord to their spirituality.

The day-to-day activities inside the seminary can cater a good practice which can secure the end view of their spiritual life. The inner life of the individual will become strengthened only when it energizes into the external world activity. Consequently, the right aspirations must find objective manifestation in right speech, right action and right living. “To abstain from falsehood, to abstain from backbiting, to abstain from harsh language and to abstain from frivolous talk is called right speech.” The words of one who inspires  to the higher life must be kind, open, truthful, unequivocal; encouraging to others and helpful in improving them; and free from vanity and bitterness of feeling. Hence, it is a good response to the principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness are steps of eightfold pat that belong to ethical conduct. 

The ethical dimension of the dramatic historicity is found in the choice of an entire way of life. Just as any religion challenges its adherents in a very basic way so Buddhism invites persons to enter into a total way of life that gives overall meaning of one’s human existence. Such an ethical choice is far more basic that the following of moral code or the performance of a correct right action (Moga,  2007).

            The present challenge is concretely present in the opportunity given to the seminarians to choose to live in the spiritual formation way in the seminary. The future, insofar as it is authentic, is     concretely there in terms of the living to which the formation gives themselves here and now: compassionate existence, desirelessness, acceptance of the rule of life, acceptance of the present experience, simplicity and holiness. This ethical life is not found in the concept that is understood or an abstract goal that seminarians think about and walk forward. However, there are practices very similar to the status quo of the spiritual formation of the seminary life consist in the observance of all oral precepts and guided by the rule of life; in feeling fear, shame and remorse at the smallest violation of any of them; in not giving room for blame or disgust; in practicing those deeds which lead to moderation and contentment and in endeavoring to  induce all human beings to abandon evil and practice virtue or fully submit oneself to the formation for spiritual development.

            Furthermore, complementary to the goal of spiritual formation is the goal of path of purity which is subjective purification affected by right effort, right thought and right tranquility of mind. In this way, the seminarians practice in heroically mastering the passions so as to prevent bad qualities from arising; in suppressing sinful thoughts so as to put away bad qualities that have arisen. Consequently, they are formed to exercise goodness not previously existing and in increasing the goodness which already exists by fixed attention and application. Hence, this aims to cultivate a highly developed will to spiritual maturity.

            It is indeed that the seven steps of eightfold path have been followed and guided the seminarians in their spiritual formation. Subsequently, the seminarians are focused and directed towards specific venues of their goals. Through meditation, deep reflection and prayer, it directs the seminarians to follow the path of monastic life similar to the eightfold path that intends to lead the spiritual aspect of every individual. The set order of time, strict obedience to the superiors and a control of their bodies and minds are manifestations of exercising the right path towards spiritual development.   In the end, it is still the seminarians who will find and mold their own formation with their Ultimate Formator – God.

Think : Are they aware of the existing spiritual formation of the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary? Do they consider that the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary’s spiritual formation help them in their spiritual life? How? Do they think this kind of formation will strengthen their vocation towards priesthood? How do they respond on this kind of formation?

K+12: A Challenge

teaching is the most touching experience...hope to see you all fulfilled!

           Education is not supposed to be a luxury. Neither, it is an ornament nor just a symbol of one’s status in life; education, rather, is a necessary facet for development. In the realm of Philippine Educational System, there is a challenge now among the teachers, learners and even different institutions to meet to the demands of the fast changing world. This involves the implementation of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program.  Basically, it includes the Universal Kindergarten, 6 years of elementary, 4 years of junior high school with an additional 2 years for senior high school.

            With the vision and fundamental goals and objectives of the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program, it signifies the change in curriculum. Since this program aims to decongest and enhance the basic education curriculum, it shows that we can expect better and quality education for all if properly implemented. Additionally, this gives the students more time to master competencies and skills as well as the time for more learning experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom, thus allowing them for more holistic development. The program tries to offer minus 2 instead of plus 2 years for those families who cannot afford a college education but still wish to have their children find a good paying job. In today’s competition in the world of work, you need to win the race with your college diploma, if none, you will be just the least priority. Most parents spend for at least 4 years of college to have a child who has the most possibility of employment. In this model of educational system, parents will not pay for 2 years of basic education that will give them an employable child. In effect, the program is saving parents 2 years of college expenses. The plan is not “Plus 2 years before graduation” but “Minus 2 years before work. These two years in the program will be utilized in the preparation of the individual tasks to be mastered upon for future advantage in the world of work.

            Consequently, a person who will undergo in this program will end up being more emotionally mature and thus, ready to face the world of work competently. This is also due to the enhanced curriculum that provides relevant context for the individual to learn and be attuned with the changing needs of times. Thus, basic education will ensure sufficient mastery of core subjects to its graduates such that graduates may plan or opt to pursue higher education if they choose to. 

            Moreover, the graduates can now compete in the world market because of the standardized and enhanced curriculum. The recognition of such can boost their sense of self as being recognized professionals in other countries. Hence, we can say that basic education is not just preparation for college life but preparation for working life, for job employment, for future career. In addition to that, a better educated society provides and brings a sound foundation for long-term socio-economic development and will experience accelerated growth in the long run.

            This program is proposed to start in the school year 2012-2013 for grade 1 and first year high school students. The full implementation of the program will be on the school year 2018-2019.

            With these promising visions and goals of the new program, does it really provide the solutions for the many problems that we need to address in the present? What kind of work will possibly be waiting for the K+12 graduates?  Could the government cater enough jobs for them? We know the very fact that a great number of college graduates even are still unemployed. How much more for the high school graduates? We might be overwhelmed with its idealism; however, we might forget what would be the other implications of this program aside from the impact to Higher Educational Institutions.

            To contextualize this issue, the seminary formation remains silent on this matter. However, the possible effect of this new program is never a vintage issue to hide on. Church leaders also take into consideration the threat it brings to our seminary formation and even to the church as a whole. Looking at the status quo, it caters us myriad of differences, social upheavals, changing norms and spiritual trends that are prevalent in our society. These may threaten our church and even our faith. The competition for survival is already at hand. Unfortunately, we are somehow entering into an era of no religion wherein material possession is given much emphasis for survival. These concerns lessen the number of the faithful to live the life of religious or for the priesthood. The church is craving for more priests. That is why, the seminary formators exert their best effort to invite young men to discern for their vocation by submitting their life to the formation. Now, here comes another challenge, the Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program. What would be its implication to the seminary formation? By the year 2016 and 2017, there will be no high school graduates, because at that time, the two years extension (senior high school) will be implemented. More or less, the decrease in population of the seminarians to undergo formation is expected and there will be no incoming freshmen. This would be a hard time to the formators and vocation promoters to sustain and nourish the seed of religious vocation for the next generation. Aside from that, six years of honing skills and competencies of the students in high school will be enough for good paying job. So, students may refuse to seize further study or even to go through in the formation for they are already secured of their employment. Furthermore, K+12 graduates may prefer employment rather than discernment for it may be that formation will be less attractive. If they will already enjoy their freedom and independence in the world of work, there will be refusal for discernment wherein structured life in the formation is somehow a wage to take. Moreover, the prevalence of materialistic outlook in life will dominate and prevail in the minds of K+12 graduates for they have given high regard on skills for job opportunities and competencies needed in the competition in the world of work. With this instance, the spiritual growth of the graduates might be disregarded and put aside under materialism. Indeed, the impending effects of the K+12 program on the seminarians’ formation, our future priests, on our church and collectively our faith is quite enormous that it needs to be considered before a decision will be imposed.

            As Christians, this might be a cause for alarm. This will serve as a substantial premonition for us to prepare for more challenges that we are going to encounter in our journey as a church, as people of God. This is a challenge to all of us now to stand firm in our faith despite the leaps and bounds and storms that will stumble us in our way towards Him. The virtue of hope and faith will be our helmet and shield to fight in this battle against materialism.

            Nevertheless, despite these negative implications to the seminary formation, it is also good to reflect, what kind of seminarians the seminary will be having by the year 2018? With the competencies they have learned, it connotes mastery of basic education and expertise of some vocational skills. It would be an advantage to the seminarians to have such and to the seminary as well not only to the formation but even to their future ministry. Most probably, with this predicament of the new educational system, as of now the seminary has no option but to follow the directives of the authority. Further, the seminary is also preparing for this call of change. This would be a challenge now to the formators and vocation promoters to have rigid promotion to attract more young men to enter seminary. Consequently, it is indispensable to the formators to adapt the new strategies and approaches to be used in the seminary paradigm in response to or aligned to the needs of the K+12 graduates. In constant prayer and vehement spirit, let us ask God to strengthen our faith in facing another chapter of adventure of the seminary that she continues to be in itinerant as we go hand in hand in living His Word.

SEMINARY FORMATION: What is it all about?

      

     For more than 50 years, the Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary has served the Archdiocese of Cotabato. She has produced many priests for the diocese of Cotabato, neighboring dioceses and even in abroad. Some of the alumni have renowned themselves in different walks of life, proving that the seminary formation helped them a lot in molding them as persons and honing their skills and potentials in facing life’s vicissitudes.

      But, what is the seminary formation all about? How long will it take to be in the formation? These are just some of the queries that many individuals I have encountered wanted to know. Let`s take a glimpse into the seminary formation.

How to enter in the college seminary?

There are three phases of admission that an aspirant is required to pass:

        Entrance examination, Interview during workshop and summer orientation.
      


What are the essential qualities needed for the admission?

1. Human and Moral qualities: sincere, emotionally mature, have good manners, friendly and responsible
2. Spiritual qualities: love of God and neighbors
3. Intellectual qualities: sense of comprehension and willingness to learn
Further, an aspirant must be in good health and have the right intention in seeking admission to the seminary.

Who will guide and accompany the seminarians in the seminary formation?

We refer to the ones who guide the seminarians in the formation as formators.
      Rector: Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ariel Torreto, DCC Vice Rector:
      Rev. Fr. Gerard Fornan, DCC Spiritual Director:
     Rev. Fr. Benjamin Laforteza Jr., DCC

          There are some individuals who in one hand or another contributed to the success and efficiency of the formation which includes the parents, benefactors, parishioners, workers, priests and bishops.

a time also to enjoy with the gift of nature...a bonding moment........

What are the different aspects of formation?

      The different aspects of formation are:

     a. Human Formation

     b. Spiritual Formation

     c. Psycho-emotional Formation

     d. Intellectual Formation

     e. Pastoral Formation


 Is it true that in the seminary, you allot most of your time in prayer?
 
        It’s true that we always pray in the seminary. We have our daily mass, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, night prayer and many other liturgical activities that strengthen our prayer life. Aside from that, we also have some other activities in the seminary. We have sports time, manualia, siesta, study period, recreation time, pastoral exposure, outing, parties not to mention all other timely programs and activities.

 How do you live and manage your time in the seminary?

Bahay Ni Maria: enjoying the moment in our pastoral days....

        How we manage our time as well as the other things we do inside the seminary is based by what we call as the Rule of Life. It is our guiding rule on how to live our life in accordance with seminary formation. It also contains our obligations, responsibilities, and limitations as seminarians.

        Furthermore, the daily schedule of activities is very significant in living a more disciplined and well-ordered seminary. Being faithful to the Rule of Life makes one manage his time effectively and efficiently. Thus, the willingness of the seminarians to submit themselves to the formation is a major factor needed in forming them holistically and in nurturing their vocation.

 How long will it take to get ordained to the priesthood?

         College formation takes four years. However, each year, there is a year-end evaluation conducted by the formators that will determine if the aspirant will be given the time to rest outside the formation or to continue. After four years in the college formation, the formators will once again evaluate if the seminarians are ready for further formation in Theology or they may have regency.

The seminarians who will continue to theological studies may send either in the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City or San Jose Theological Seminary in Manila for another 5 or 6 years. After which, the seminarian will have a Diaconal Ordination and after 6 months or more will be the Priestly Ordination.

This is dedicated to my classmates...keep on .with .Him...

           Most probably, it will take 9 to 10 years to get ordained to the priesthood.

           I would say that formation will take a lifetime. In our daily encounter in our life, we fall, we stand, we learn, we realize and we are being formed by our Loving Formator – God.