Perpetual Vows: A Promise for Life

The Communio Class together with Fr. Raymund Festin, SVD (fourth from left), the Provincial Superior of the Philippine Central Province (Photo Credits: Juni Amora Alexander)

 

Congratulations to the Communio Class for their religious profession of Perpetual Vows in the Society of the Divine Word!!!
Frt. Jhun Joel Templa, SVD
Frt. Godofredo Guddie Abaya, SVD
Frt. Ronie Baleli, SVD
Frt. Dennis Ryan Varquez SVD
Frt. Marlon Atenido,SVD

 

“By religious profession members make a public vow to observe the three evangelical counsels. Through the ministry of the Church they are consecrated to God, and are incorporated into the institute, with the rights and duties defined by law.” (Code of Canon Law, par. 654)

As members of a religious institute, the Missionaries of the Divine Word embrace the evangelical counsels, taking the three traditional religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The SVD Missionaries who were also there for the event.

Poverty means that all possessions are held in common and that no member may accumulate wealth. Chastity means more than abstaining from sexual activity and its purpose is to make the religious totally available for service; it is also a sign that only God can completely fill the human heart. For a member of a religious congregation, obedience is not slavishly doing what one is told by the superior but being attentive to God’s will by prayerfully listening to the voice of the person in charge. Ultimately, these vows are lived out within a community and bolstered by a relationship with God.

 

Throwback: Seminary Family Feast 2006

Back in 2006, I was assigned as Regent in Christ the King Mission Seminary. It’s so amazing to look back at those wonderful year, especially during the month of September. You see, every SVD seminarian looks forward to September 8, the SVD Foundation anniversary. We call this Family Feast.

 

The Family Feast is a long-standing tradition in the SVD congregation as our way of celebrating our birthdays in common. In 2006, the theme of the Family Feast in Christ the King was “M:131.” That is, 131 years in the mission of spreading God’s word.

 

The third year class who served as COORDs preparing the venue

 

Steylers Team

 

Gigsters Team

 

Crusaders Team

 

Geistsucht Team

 

World Cup Vibe: Brother Jo cheers for his team

 

Milk Drinking Contest

 

Flour Blowing Contest

 

Grand Night

 

Fr. Christopher Ramirez, SVD with the Coordinators and the Regent

 

CHAMPION – GIGSTERS TEAM

 

The Champion Team with the Regent

That was exactly ten years ago. How time flies! Several other Family Feast celebrations year after year were also equally memorable. I thank God for the gift of perseverance in my chosen congregation. More power to the SVD! I hope to witness a hundred years more of Family Feasts!

 

 

10 Things You Must Know About Christ the King Mission Seminary (CKMS)

Christ the King Mission Seminary

 

 

1. Christ the King Mission Seminary (CKMS) is a Roman Catholic seminary in Quezon City run by the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), a German congregation founded by St. Arnold Janssen in Steyl, Holland. Today, the SVD is the biggest religious male congregation in the Philippines.

 

2. It was established on 1933, just 8 years after Pope Pius XI added to the liturgical calendar the Feast of Christ of King in 1925. This is the first seminary ever to be dedicated to Christ the King.

 

3. CKMS, being an academic institution that prepares seminarians to become priests and missionaries, offers an undergraduate course of AB Philosophy and a Postgraduate program on MA Philosophy. I graduated here last 2002.

SVD Missionaries

4. CKMS is located at 101 E. Rodriguez Sr. Blvd – this long stretch of E. Rodriguez is filled with Kings – from Burger King, Chow King, Goto King, Tapa King – and if you just continue walking – you will end up with Christ the King!

 

5. Inside the compound, you will find the Villa Cristo Rey (VCR). Ever wonder what happens to our old missionaries when they retire and become sick? They stay at the Villa Cristo Rey. Here at the VCR, they are taken good care by our health personnel. Interestingly, at the back of the VCR is our cemetery. Thus, it is safe to say that VCR is our pre-departure area. Lol.

 

6. Just at the other side of our Sementeryo ng Mga Relihiyoso, you will see the Grotto of the Lady of Annunciation. This area used to be a garbage dumpsite several decades ago but when the Lady was brought here, the people started visiting the area. See it for yourself.

Garden of the Divine Word (Photo Credit: Crearis.com.h

7. Despite being near the highway, you can actually enjoy the tranquility of Christ the King Mission Seminary. Within the compound, there are so many solemn and feel-good things to see. Religious articles, souvenirs, liturgical materials can also be found at the seminary store. Make sure to also see the brightly-colored koi fishes, century-old trees, well-designed landscape and the mini-amphitheater at the Garden of the Divine Word.

 

The Buttenbruch Building

 

8. The castle-designed building is called the Buttenbruch Building. It is named after Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch, SVD. The congregation remembered him as a “martyr for charity” for helping the Filipinos. In 1944, he was taken by the Japanese and was brought to Fort Santiago. He was never seen again. By the way, he also founded the Divine Word College of Bangued, Abra.

Divine Word Shrine

9. The seminary chapel, now called the Divine Word Shrine, is especially memorable for Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD – the Bishop of Bangued, Abra. In 2007, he was ordained a Bishop at the Divine Word Shrine – the same chapel where he used to serve as Sacristan Mayor before he entered the seminary.

 

10. For the schedule of Holy Masses, check out the info below:

 

DAYS	MORNING	AFTERNOON
MONDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	6:45pm (Holy Spirit Devotion)
	6:20am Mass	6:00pm Mass
TUESDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	6:00pm Mass (Padre Pio Devotion)
	6:20am Mass
WEDNESDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	5:30pm (Perpetual Help Novena)
	6:20am Mass	6:00pm Mass
THURSDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	6:00pm Mass
	6:20am Mass	St. Jude Devotion (After 6:00pm Mass)
FRIDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	5:30pm (Divine Mercy Devotion)
	6:20am Mass	6:00pm Healing Mass and Devotion to Jesus the Divine Word
SATURDAY	5:30am Mass (Crypt)	6:00pm Anticipated Sunday Mass
	6:20am Mass
Healing Mass: Every 1st Saturday of the Month (9:00am at the Grotto)
SUNDAY	6:00 am	4:00 pm
	7:00 am	5:00 pm
	8:00 am	6:00 pm
	9:00 am	7:30 pm
	10:00 am
	11:30 am
CONFESSIONS:
·        Sundays at every start of the Mass
·        Upon request thru text messaging: 09175620337 and 09213108400
·        Special Occasions (Separate schedule will be posted)

 

 

Kasadya Christmas Choral Concert

San Carlos Seminary College choir

San Carlos Seminary College presented the “Kasadya: Christmas Choral Concert” at the San Roque Parish in Valladolid, Carcar City, Archdiocese of Cebu. It featured the San Carlos Seminary College choir directed by Cebu’s literary giant and great musical genius Msgr. Rudy Villanueva and Fr. Avelito John Burgos. It was also in coordination with the San Roque Parish Pastoral Council WESTY Ministries and PERTUVAL chapels with Fr. Ver Pedrano, the parish priest.

San Carlos Seminary College choir

San Carlos Seminary College choir

Fr. Cha-cha Jayme, Guest Singer

San Carlos Seminary College choir

San Carlos Seminary College choir

Play of Lights

Fr. Ver Pedrano, Parish Priest

 

For more updates, please our station DYRF page: Here

 

Then check more photos here: Here

 

 

DWST Grand Alumni Homecoming Schedule

How Many SVDs Do You Know in the Picture?
(Photo Credit: PHN Website)

 

DAY 1: MARCH 11, 2014

8:00 am – Opening Mass

9:30 am – Theological Symposium: The State of Mission Today (Fr. Tony Pernia, SVD – Superior General  2000-2012.

12 noon – LUNCH

1:00 pm – Follow Up Discussion

2:00 pm – Organizational Meeting

3:00 pm – Free/Sports

6:00 pm – Vespers

7:00 pm – Dinner. Recognition and Awards Night

DAY 2: MARCH 12, 2014

8:00 am – Opening Mass (Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle)

9:30 am – Theological Symposium: The Catholic Church in the World Stage in the 21^st Century (John Allen Jr, Vatican Correspondent at CNN)

12 noon – LUNCH

1:00 pm – Follow Up Discussion

2:00 pm – Organization of DWST Alumni Association

3:00 pm – Free/Sports

6:00 pm – Vespers

7:00 pm – Dinner. Musical Preparation

For more details, like the page:

https://www.facebook.com/divinewordseminary50years

Divine Word Seminary Sponsors ABS-CBN TV Mass

Text and Photo Credit: Frt. Kargel, SVD

Divine Word Seminary-Tagaytay, on the occasion of its 50th year, will be sponsoring the Healing Eucharist on February 9, 2014, 6 a.m on ABS-CBN. Father Rector Wilfredo Saniel will be the main presider with Fr. Raul Caga, Vice Rector, the Saksi Class, the newly ordained SVD priests and other alumni priests as concelebrants.

 

 

FIRST VOWS

The Communio Class

Last June 1, 13 young men took their First Profession of Vows in the Society of the Divine Word at the Divine Word Shrine in Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City.

 

I had three important reasons why I was present:

1. Frt. Siano Gumadlas, SVD was our parishioner here in Olutanga Island.

2. Frt. Mark Paglicawan, SVD was my classmate in college.

3. Frt. Joel Templa, SVD was my kababayan.

 

Congratulations to the Communio Class! I’m one with you in prayers+

SILIP SA BUHAY-PARI (PART FIVE)

GOOD DAY CHILDREN OF GOD! CHOCO MILK AND BIBINGKA IN THE MORNING

My dear readers, the Lord be with you!

I am back!!! Group Hug!!!

For the past three months, di talaga ako nakapag-blog kasi aside from being busy, nasira ang aming internet connection dito sa convento. Medyo naayos but mabagal naman ang downloading. Minsan no connectivity pa. Kaya 3 months ko rin na kinulit ang hotline…and yahoo, back to blogosphere na ulit ako!

Group Hug ulit!!!

Kaya dahil matagal akong nawala, ito ang mga pasabog ko sa aking pagbabalik — ang silip sa buhay-pari. Come, read on!

39. Oh Honey. May mga honeybees sa old convento. Isang grupo ng mga parishioners ang nagvolunteer na kunin ang honey. Natuwa naman kaming mga pari sapagkat nagvolunteer sila. Unknown to us, yong nagvolunteer pala ay walang kaalam-alam kung paano manguha ng honey. Ang nangyari ganito — nabulabog ang parokya sapagkat pinagkakagat at pinaghahabol sila ng mga honeybees. So, ang kanilang nakuha ay isang basong honey lamang. Huhuhu.

40. Oh Honey, (Again). At hindi pa doon natapos ang kwento. Noong nasa aming mga pari na ang isang basong honey, we asked our kusinera na i-boil sandali ang honey para mamatay yong mga microbes. Habang nagpapakulo, kung saan-saan muna naglakad-lakad ang aming kusinera. Kaya ayun, nakalimutan niya ang kanyang pinapakuluan. Pagbalik niya, huhuhuhu, ang honey namin — lahat nag-evaporate na!

41. Buking. Kasal ang eksena. Ang groom ay magbibigay ng coins sa bride. Everything turned out fine, until I asked the bride to put the coins in the pocket of the groom. Aba, ang groom umayaw! Ayaw niya na ilagay ng bride ang coins sa pocket ng kanyang pantalong slacks.  “Basta!” — yan lang ang reason na naidahilan ng groom. Siyempre, medyo made-delay na, kaya napilitan na rin siya. Que horror! Ang coins nahulog sa sahig! Butas ang bulsa ng groom! He covered his face in shame. Lol.

42. Ghost. One dusk, I saw our kusinera standing beside our dining table. Suddenly, nalingat lang ako ng konti, bigla siyang nawala! Nagsitayuan ang mga balahibo ko! I looked outside, wala rin siya. Pagtingin ko ulit sa dining table, andoon na ulit siya nakatayo. Kinabahan ako ng todo. So, I asked her, “asan ka galing?” Sagot naman ng kusinera, “Sa ilalim po ng table, naglagay ng magic chalk.” Hahahaha, akala ko kung ano na!

43. Bowl o Bell? May isang pari kaming Taiwanese sa community sa Christ the King sa QC. One time, lumapit sa akin ang paring ito at sinabing “may I borrow a bowl?” Aba! Nagulat ako kung bakit sa akin pa manghihiram ang paring ito, hindi pa dumiretso sa kusina. Binigyan ko ng bowl. Sabi niya,”no,no,no.” Hindi daw yun ang hinihingi niya. Sabi niya “bell” daw pala. So, naghanap ako ng bell. Ngunit, pagbalik ko wala na siya. Bumaba ako ng dormitory sa kahahanap sa kanya. Pagdating ko sa basketball court, nakita ko siya. Ngumiti siya at ipinakita ang hawak niya: bola. Ball pala ang hanap niya! (Kasi naman ehhh)

44. Fire Alarm. After the Ozone Tragedy, a fire alarm device was installed in our seminary. Malaki ang tulong sa akin ng fire alarm. Being the liturgist of the seminary, it was a good rising bell for the seminarians. When I’m all dressed up and lahat tulog pa kahit malapit na ang prayer time, i-pu-push ko lang ang fire alarm. Presto, lahat magigising sa panic! Hahaha, akala may sunog! Pagdating ng morning prayers, perfect attendance lahat ng seminarians!

Sto. Niño

45. Baby Jesus Nahulog! Marami ang di nakakaalam na Sinulog dancer ako sa seminaryo. Three years din akong naging Sinulog dancer. Pero yong pangatlong taon ko ang pinakamemorable. Ako kasi ang taga-hawak ng baby Jesus. Kaso, medyo loose na ang pinagkapitang paa ng Sto. Niño sa base. Ung isa kong classmate si Richard, nagrequest na siya muna ang humawak during the street dancing. Pumayag naman ako ngunit nakalimutan ko siyang sabihan na hawakang maigi ang baby Jesus. Ohlala, the unexpected happened. Habang nagsasayaw siya ng Pit Senyor, tumilapon sa ere ang image ng Baby Jesus. Natanggal sa base. Kaya ayun, noong ako na ang nagsayaw, hawak-hawak ko na sa paa si baby Jesus.

I MISS EVERYONE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE!!!

KUMUSTA NA KAYONG LAHAT?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)

MGA TANONG KAY PARING FIEL (PART TWO)

(HABANG MAAGA AT MAY KURYENTE PA, POST KO NA ITO. BAKA BIGLANG MAGBROWNOUT PA)

Ito ang iba pang mga tanong noong seminarista pa ako: Brought to you by curious minds…

Seminaryo ka?

– hahahaha. Ang seminaryo ang building. Ang seminarista ang tao. Hehe, hindi po ako building.

Nagtetext din po kayo?

– noong college kami, bawal mag-cp. pero sa higher formation allowed na.

Umaakyat din po ba kayo sa pader  (read: umeeskapo po ba kayo sa seminaryo ng walang paalam)?

– haha, hindi. Malakas ang loob ko, sa gate ako dumadaan. May classmate akong nag-over da bakod, natusok, ayun, pinalabas ng tuluyan.

Nangudigo po ba kayo sa exams?

– once lang, sa aming Latin exam. Pero di ko na inulit. Ang hirap ng Latin kasi! Puro memorizations. Mautak ang old professor namin. Nagda-dark shades siya during exams para di namin mapansin kung saan siya nakatingin. Ung isa namang student, gumaya ng kodigo, kaso ung kodigo niya ninakaw pa ng isang classmate nya. Wahahaha.

Hindi nyo ba namimiss ang parents/family ninyo?

– Siyempre namimiss din. Pero pag nagbabakasyon ako, dapat two weeks lang. Uneasy na ako pag lumampas pa diyan. Iba talaga ang hatak sa loob ng seminaryo.

Kung masaya nga sa loob ng seminaryo, may mga lonely moments ba?

– Yes. Pag may nagdedecide na lumabas. Kakalungkot.

Bakit naka-civilian attire na ang mga pari ngayon? Dati ang mga pari laging naka-sotana…

– Pangkantong sagot: Noon yun. Ikaw, gusto mo bang magswimming na naka-sotana, magbasketball na naka-sotana, manood ng Avatar na naka-sotana?

Bakit ang galing-galing kumanta ng mga seminarista at pari?

– hindi po totoo yan pag i-aapply na sa lahat. May naalala akong pari dito. Noong pinalabas ang Miss Saigon sa London, tuwang-tuwa ang mga British sa mga Pinoy. During one party, pinilit nila ang isang Pinoy na pari na kumanta kasi sabi ng mga British “All Filipinos can sing.” Ayon, pinagbigyan sila ng paring Pinoy, and he sang his heart out. After the song, sabi ng emcee, “Now I know, not all Filipinos can sing.” Hahaha.

(kung kayo ay may mga kwelang tanong na gusto nyong itanong sa akin, isend nyo lang sa aking fb. walang limit. pag mapipili ko ang mga questions ninyo, ipopost ko ang mga yun)

MGA TANONG KAY PARING FIEL

PARANG BATA LANG OH!

One of the best things being a priest is the opportunity to brush elbows with people from all walks of life. Dahil dito, sari-saring tanong din ang laging naibabato sa akin. Ngunit, there are popular questions. Ito ang ilan sa mga iyon?

1. Bakit ka nagpari?

Ito ang actually mahirap i-explain. Priesthood kasi is a gift and a mystery. Pero usual na sagot ko ay: Nagpari ako dahil naramdaman kong tinawag ako ng Diyos and I also feel that I can best serve Him through this way of life. Marami kasi akong plans sa sarili ko noon pero noong nadiscover ko na tinawag niya ako, I left everything and followed Him. (Pangkantong sagot: Kanya-kanyang trip lang naman yan di ba? Walang pakialamanan tol!)

2. Paano mo nalaman na tinawag ka?

I joined a search-in noon para makakita lang how a seminary looks like. Kasi ang school namin ang “factory” of seminarians (read: maraming napo-produce na seminarians). Curious lang ako. Then, pagdating ko doon sa SVD-Davao, one activity struck me, yong adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, then pinatugtog ang “Do you know where you’re going to?”
Iba ang naging dating noon sa akin. Kumbaga sa love, “narinig ko ang music” touching me in a very different way.

So, there and then I made a decision to enter the seminary. I always look back on that particular experience kasi yon ang flame na nagpapatibay sa akin. This is important to me kasi sa totoo lang, walang pumasok sa seminaryo with 100% certainty na tutuluy-tuloy sila until the end of the journey. Walang guarantee (parang kasal din di ba). You just need a certain amount of faith and commitment to keep you going. Basta sa akin lang, Lord, bahala na po kayo sa akin, kayo ang tumawag sa akin, wag nyo po akong pababayaan. I believe that works.

3. Nagka-girlfriend ka rin ba?

Oo naman! Haleer! Di rin ako nabasted. (I am very reserved when it comes to questions like this. Some selected bloggers knew about my love story, though. I prefer to talk about it face to face.)

4. Did you also entertain the thought of having a family, career, etc.?

Oo naman! I spent 11 memorable years in the seminary. Ganyan ako katagal nagdiscern, but in the end, I chose the priestly, religious, missionary vocation pa rin.

5. Malungkot ba sa loob ng seminaryo Father?

Hindi! Subukan mong pumasok! Ang saya-saya sa loob.

6. Sinong nagbabayad sa mga expenses mo Father?

Noong seminarista ako, family ko (first four years). Pero simula noong ako ay nag-temporary vows na, lahat ng kailangan ko as well as travel expenses ko, shouldered ng community. Dahil sa SVD, nalibot ko ang Pinas from A(bra) to Z(amboanga).

7. Mayroon ka ring stalkers Father?

Dati. Paminsan-minsan meron talaga yan. But now, I know how to deal with them.

8. Father, naalala mo ako?

Tanong ito ng mga tanong may matinding treasured experience sa akin. Pero God knows, meron talagang mga tanong di ko maalala saan ko sila nakilala. Madali lang sagutin kong nakilala ko pa. Pag hindi, banatan agad ng sunud-sunud na tanong: “Oy, kumusta ka na? Saan ka na ngayon nakatira? Ahaha, bigtime ka na ah! Pa-burger ka naman!”

9. Anong gamit mong bath soap Father?

Hahaha, isa lang nakakaalam ng bath soap ko. Usually ang mga nagtatanong ng ganito ay either (a) magbibigay ng sabon,  or (2) gustong gayahin ang gamit ko. Ngiti lang sagot ko dito, at isang “bakit?”

10. Father, anong height mo?

Sagot ko lagi: “Di ko alam!” Hahaha.