The Birth Of A New Mission

                                                                 the mission cross

 “The Birth Of A New Mission:

Pastoral Formation in the UST Central Seminary”

            The UST Central Seminary has been look down or criticized by some because it seemingly lacks a Pastoral Formation. As a matter of fact, some dioceses stop sending seminarians to study here because of that reason. Yet, the previous formators defended this allegation asserting that the basic apostolate is to live in the community: it goes with the theme ‘brothers shepherding brothers’ and this is what is done in the Central Seminary. In addition, since the seminarians are studying in the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas, which is considered as one of the best in the country in providing ecclesiastical studies in preparation to the priesthood, it is an apostolate to study assiduously in order to prepare well one’s self  for his pastoral duties.  Moreover, as a form of apostolate, the seminarians take part in the university-wide activities especially with regards to spiritual activities. To name a few, recently during the celebration of the Quadricentennial and Neo-centennial anniversary of the university, the seminary has actively participated in the retreats, Liturgical Celebrations, the world record Largest Human Cross and Largest Living Rosary and many more. Truly, in the UST Central Seminary, there is a pastoral formation…there is an apostolate since then.

           

            Two years ago, there has been a plan to lay down a clear pastoral program in the seminary to facilitate a more efficient and more effective pastoral formation of the seminarians so that  they will be more prepared to perform their pastoral duties. This is also a respond to the demands of the updated program of seminary formation and to the present challenges of the church.

           

            In this formation year, the Pastoral Program finally takes effect. Personally, I was very happy and grateful upon knowing that a clear pastoral program will push through already. This is a very big opportunity for us to apply in our apostolate areas whatever we learned from the academe and to develop and to furnish our God-given talents so that we may serve Him better and His people. Our apostolate has moved out beyond the seminary premises and the vicinity of the university. This would entail living in a bigger community, interacting with a wider perspective and encountering more experiences. When I learned that the apostolate of our class is to take part in the BEC sharing, I was even more upbeat to start my apostolate. BEC is one of the answers thought by the Conference of Bishops to the present problems of the church and one of the keys for the new evangelization. In our parish, my parish priest is very dedicated and committed to hold BEC despite of the difficulties it would entail. This serves as my inspiration to do the same. In addition, this kind of apostolate is also an opportunity for me to overcome my difficulty in interacting with people and in sharing my thoughts and reflections with others. It is then but proper to acknowledge and to commend the previous formators for setting up the vision and the current formators for actualizing and entrusting us the mission.

            The Pastoral program commenced with a sending-off rite integrated during the closing mass of our monthly recollection for July. It is a sort of traditional and symbolic, just like how Jesus sent His disciples to go out to the ends of the earth. We were even given a mission cross which symbolizes our calling – to take up our cross and follow after Him. This also reminds us that this mission is not for ourselves but for the glory of God and this serves as our strength in doing our mission.  We, the Centralites, are then called to move out from our shells and to extend our community beyond our home, the University and the Central Seminary, as we share, spread and celebrate our faith.

           

            Living in the community…brothers shepherding brothers…living out faith through humble service…this is the apostolate in the UST Central Seminary…this is UST Central Seminary. We, the Centralites, are called to live a truly Christian existence/experience. As Pope Francis tweeted, “To be children of God, and brothers and sisters to one another: this is the heart of the Christian experience.”