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?