Every one of us has its on calling story in our life. May it be inspiring to us but saddens the others or the other way around. But it is not about destiny for I believe it’s a matter of choice. Most often, people choose to have partners, to bear children under the sanctity of marriage. While for others, they walk in the life of single-blessedness. Yes, they are alone but I think it doesn’t necessarily follow that they are lonely. For many are happy in ‘singleness”. But my vocation differs for what is conventional nowadays. It may not be pleasing to my parents but it is the life that I want for in my future.

It seems like yesterday when I enter the seminary. I was eager, full of excitement to held my first step inside because it is my childhood dream ever to become a priest someday. Maybe because I had a great expectation of a priest and I manage to serve the altar for seven years beforehand. I’ve been accompanying priest saying mass in the barrios and I
learn to develop for I cannot deny to my inner being that I like priesthood-in-itself. I know there is something in priesthood that I can’t experience outside other educational fields. That is why, as I was accepted, I really feel great. I was thinking of myself as the best, a higher one, that is, better than any other people. I was self-centered, I accept because I am looking forward for a peaceful atmosphere, great camaraderie, and perfect home inside the seminary. As if, I’ll be going to become a saint.

But all my expectations surprised me a lot for I personally experienced and observed the indictment inside the seminary. Very embarrassing as I thought because seminary hopefully for seed box became the other way meaning around. The presence of “hide and seek”, pain-inflicting ‘jokes’, emotionally-induced illnesses during manualia activities, as if there is no love reigns and remains, make us somehow pathetic. Is this really the reality inside the seminary? Are we sincerely wanted to lead the faithful of the future.

I don’t know how to convince my fellow seminarians that the greatest struggle inside the seminary is not the resistance of the opposite sex nor academic matters but it’s about the battle of internal forum in the context of our own human formation. It is about how we mold ourselves and how we open everything for the sake of our vocation. We sometimes got a failing grade and that’s I think because we didn’t discipline ourselves to study. We didn’t give justice to our study time instead we just be there present but mentally absent.
It didn’t take long if we just sit upon there. There should be an explicit mark of love among us. Eventhough how isolated the seminary or nearly it is to heaven, if we are not committed and ready to be transformed then uselessness it may bring back. I know were not following different paths here, we are one in following the footsteps of Christ.

But for all the past years happen, I didn’t regret every second of my stay inside the seminary. For in this place, I began to mature, to appreciate things around and maybe in this place I first to recognize and felt the sweetness of love. Yes, I owe a lot of my adolescence stage in the name of the seminary. I had so many good things and great adventures as a teenager and as a seminarian. Thus, I can’t forget my life in the seminary because of the many first time I’d experienced. It’s been my first time to be drunk inside, my first time to smoke cigarette, my first time to jump the fence and my very first time to cheat greatly myself. And I want change for myself, change that could bring me back in my Galilean Hill where I first started before. So now, As I feel not on my place, I am thinking to reflect further wether to persist or wait until such time is settled. I know I have to discern well for I never pass this way again. I am very much hopeful for God to bestow me the best shot.

They’re right. It’s really difficult to become a priest. You have so many things to consider and only handful seminarians could persevere in this way of life.

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Seminarians of MMCS welcomed their apostulants in joining to celebrate the 4th Pastoral Day with the theme “Tudlu-i ug Atimana ang Akong mga Katawhan (1 Tim. 20)” last February 25 at the seminary compound. The said event was actively participated by the youth of the apostolic assignment of 4th and 5th year seminarians assign in the following chapel: Bad-asay, Poctoy, Songkoy, San Roque and Togbongon. It was also participated by the children of Togbongon where the first year seminarians were assigned for catechism.

The celebration started with a Holy Spirit Mass presided by Bishop Antonieto Cabajog D.D with the seminary fathers. This program immediately followed with some messages and nice presentations prepared of every chapel and seminarians. The said celebration served as the culmination of all the apostolic activities of the seminarians in the chapel, hospital, and catechism under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Renato Mantilla, the Spiritual Director. There was an active support done by the people to the seminary because of their attendance and participation.

The place was filled with enjoyment during the afternoon activity because of the games played by the sports senior Sem. Churchil Comon. There was an exhibition game in basketball played between the youth and seminarians. On the games of chess and table tennis, were also played by the youths from Poctoy, Togbongon, and San Roque.

The Children also enjoyed the parlor games organized by Sem. Leonard Antolin and Sem. Glenn Donoso. The celebration ended up with the awarding of prizes by our Spritual Director.