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.