...too simple -- sometimes naive.

It's a nature for a man to be intelligent. Right? With the arrival of Internet, everything from geography to topic on the commentary of the Canon Law in Latin using the Catechism of the Council of Trent gave man an open door to learn and to see and broad view of the world. Sabi nga ni Lourd de Veyra sa kanyang graduation speech sa mga graduates ng UP College of Arts na: 


"Hindi ko na siguro kailangang sabihin kung gaano kayo kapalad na mapabilang sa henerasyon. Nabubuhay kayo sa mundo na wala ka nang karapatang maging tanga, maging mangmang. Dapat may maglabas ng ganyang slogan sa advertising, “BAWAL MAGING TANGA.” Nagtatampisaw tayo sa baha ng impormasyon."

We are now a generation of copy-pasting. Thanks to the Internet that we were able to research on various topics in a few seconds, unlike in the past that we need to go to the library to search on one specific topic. And in the Internet we Catholics are very blessed that we can gain access to Catholic websites and online materials regarding faith and the Church itself. I remember it was the time of Benedict XVI that Catholics have started to make and manage their own blogs in sharing ones' faith to others. I thanked Catholic Answers for helping me understand the Faith with their simple but sensible and enlightening Biblical explanation of Church doctrines. To be honest, I am an avid reader of the blog Rorate Caeli, although some of you may react negatively but I don't give a damn about it. 

I love to read. I love to read especially when it comes to books about History, especially Philippine History. In our have a complete set of Grolier Encyclopedia. When I am bored, I try to find books and some reading materials just to read to kill time. I also love to read comics. I am also collecting Kiko Machine comics. That is why people used to call me a "historian." When I open the Internet, I usually read news articles on today's world affairs and kill time by searching numerous topics on Wikipedia. I do not want to boast, but this gave me a sufficient amount of knowledge.

Stand-out. It is very necessary in class to recite and to show your talents and skills to get good grades and to hone more your skills so as to be used in the future. That is why being different gives you the opportunity to contribute something good by being unique in our styles and to boost your confidence and self-esteem as a person. 

But I have realized that standing-out too much is unhealthy in the eyes of my friends and of my colleagues especially as a seminarian. I experienced the feeling of being teased, fooled and rejected for I was very vain when I share some of my knowledge in front of the class. I realized that I would receive nothing in return. To be honest, I am sometimes ashamed in front of my high school batch mates and even my brother-seminarians because I am very conscious to their impressions on me, mostly negative. I cannot blame or denounce them because I am the one who is in control of myself, so I am responsible of my actions done which gave people a very negative impression on me. It really hurts, but I need to get real.

I sometimes really regretted to have this knowledge when I didn't really enjoy my high school life. The experience of having friends(although I have few friends, but not enough). I have realized it when I became a seminarian. Priesthood is a life for extroverts. You need to have many connections, friends especially it is a need for your pastoral ministry. The parish priest reflects the image of the parish itself. The experience of doing things teenagers in high school love to do.  Doing silly things. The experience of being in love. Sabi nga ni Sharon sa kanyang kanta na: 

"High school life, ba't ang high school life

Ay walang kasing saya?"

I spent all the time being in my comfort-zone and studying things that are reserved and discussed ONLY for priests, theologians, professionals and those who are fit to be in this field. 

I sometimes regretted the time I spent most on uselessly debating other people in the name of "Church" when in fact it is your ego that you are really defending. It is like Don Quixote fighting the "giants" when in fact he is destroying windmills. I sometimes regretted discussing with them on the Church especially on doctrine when in fact you are not in a position to do it. I don't have a doctorate on the liturgy or a licentiate in Canon Law yet I am correcting a priest(especially with a degree) or a layman with an ecclesiastical degree that their position and example was wrong. They need to do this, they need to that. 

Friends are there if you are having a problem and they give advice to give a clear look at your problem and solve it. Especially when it comes to love life. The thing is, you haven't engaged in any type of relationship. How awkward. 

Well it is very easy to give advice on numerous situations, just because you've learned it by what the books say. We think ourselves as "very very wise" and we always have a good feeling when someone approaches and asks us for a good advice. But the reality is we clearly don't have any experience on the situations they've experienced today. When it is our turn to experience what they've experienced, we go berserk. We share our thoughts very simply, but we say it too naively. 

Although I really regretted the past I have done and the reason why I sometimes withdraw from the crowd, I never blamed God nor anyone it is because I am in control of myself, therefore I am responsible of the actions I have done. I am proud to have this gift because in small ways, I have a broad view of the reality and able to deal with the positive and negative things coming to my life. I would like to share a thought coming from the book by Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, the brother of Benedict XVI, in his book My Brother, the Pope that struck me most. 

"Pope Pius XI, who beatified Brother Konrad in 1930 and canonized him in 1934, explained: "In him shine forth purity and humility, love for God and neighbor, fidelity to duty"--- duties that impressed young Joseph Ratzinger, also. So even later he often asked himself how it was that God shows himself mostly clearly in simple people. That also became for him an incentive never to forget his own roots and never to "stand out" intellectually."

As a seminarian, I must undergo a life of change. To be honest, I am still stuck in my own pedestal - a pedestal of my self-comfort but I am trying with my own strength and faith to God to open myself to Christ who is present to everyone and not to my own preference. It is very hard, but with faith in Him I can do everything in Christ Jesus. I must enjoy life according to my age, I must be myself always. I must share this gift to win friends and gain their trust and respect, and to be humble always even when I face numerous rebukes and difficulties in my life. 

Finding, Sharing and Living the Faith in the Digital Age

"Among the wonderful technological discoveries which men of talent, especially in the present era, have made with God's help, the Church welcomes and promotes with special interest those which have a most direct relation to men's minds and which have uncovered new avenues of communicating most readily news, views and teachings of every sort."

(Vatican II, Conciliar Decree Inter Mirifica, 1) 

The Church never ceases to give thanks to God for the gift of human technology and advancement, especially for those innovations that simplify and speed up the spread of the Word of God and of the teaching of the Church.

Indeed, gone must be the mentality that the Church is outdated and outmoded in its manner of spreading the Gospel... she seeks continually ways that the Gospel is understood by everyone in their current situation.

Today it is common for me to see Catholics better informed, better learned and proficient enough... not because of any formal theological study, but because of their frequent use of the Internet. I often see them speak like theologians, liturgists, exegetes, dogmatists, and others, with no diploma or courses entered.... only the Internet...

On the other side of the coin, the institutional Church recognizes the role of the Internet in the task of the New Evangelization, and earnestly asks everyone in the Church to be involved in the digital ministry... We now see the Pope (starting from Benedict XVI) having frequent Twitter posts, Bishops and Cardinals having personal FB and Twitter pages, priests and laity actively using the Internet as field for apostolate, and even as early as the late 90's, the Vatican having its own internet page.

“...for the Church the new world of cyberspace is a summons to the great adventure of using its potential to proclaim the Gospel message.”
(Saint John Paul II, Message on the 36th World Communications Day, 2002)

It is not anymore foreign to anyone to see someone posting about God, the Church, her teachings and her practices in social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc...

I am glad to see people like these, but what are the positive and negative implications of the proliferation, increase or cropping up of these "Digital Catholics"? 

(I am only to mention a few, because of the lack of space. We have to make this readable!)

POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS

1. They are the ones who will most probably apply most the New Evangelization according to the present situation using the freshest and most current means understandable to their fellow modern man. The modern media should "...offer new ways of confronting people with the message of the Gospel...” (Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Pastoral Instruction Communio et Progressio, 1971)

2.  Internet and other social media provides a good tool in continuing evangelization and re-evangelization of Catholics today. Not only does the Internet provide a venue for the “traditional missionary work ad gentes, catechesis and other kinds of education, news and information, apologetics, governance and administration,” (Pontifical Council for Social Communications, The Church and Internet, 5) but it also gives the Church a special venue for some “forms of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction.” 

3. The Internet also becomes a good bridge or starting point for interreligious/intercultural dialogue. “It also provides the Church with a means for communicating with particular groups—young people and young adults, the elderly and home-bound, persons living in remote areas, the members of other religious bodies—who otherwise may be difficult to reach.” “The Church can perform an important service to Catholics and non-Catholics alike by the selection and transmission of useful data in this medium.” (The Church and Internet, 5)

NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS

1. An "internet-level" faith only, a split-level Christianity... The faith is not anymore applied on the most important area, their lives, and instead it is only used in the digital arena, without practice... "Faith without works is dead" (Jm 2:17, 2:26). It is not anymore shocking to see Catholics who are overtly pious and holy in one side, yet perverse and rude in the other side.

2. A loss of contact with the real Christian world, and a focus only on the digital side of Christianity, by the Internet user. “Although the virtual reality of cyberspace cannot substitute for real interpersonal community, the incarnational reality of the sacraments and the liturgy, or the immediate and direct proclamation of the gospel, it can complement them, attract people to a fuller experience of the life of faith, and enrich the religious lives of users.” (The Church and Internet, 5).

3. The lack of continuity/obedience to the Church and her Magisterium, manifested by those who profess their sites to be “Catholic”. “But it is confusing, to say the least, not to distinguish eccentric doctrinal interpretations, idiosyncratic devotional practices, and ideological advocacy bearing a ‘Catholic' label from the authentic positions of the Church.” (The Church and Internet, 8). 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

After having known the positive and negative implications of Catholics using the Internet as a tool for evangelization and mission, let us now have some recommendations for fellow Catholics who post on the internet.

1. Education in the media- “As much as possible, pastoral planning for social communications should make provision for this training in the formation of seminarians, priests, religious, and lay pastoral personnel as well as teachers, parents, and students.” (The Church and Internet, 7)

2. A good theological formation- "A sound theological training will help you in this and, especially, a profound and joyful passion for God, fostered by continuous exchanges with the Lord. The particular Churches and religious institutes, for their part, should not hesitate to make the most of the formation.... with foresight, people and resources. The world of the media is fully part of pastoral planning." (Benedict XVI)

3. A spirit of prayer and union with the Church and a close affinity to the work of evangelization with Christ, who “fully reveals man to himself and brings to light his most high calling”. (Gaudium  et Spes, 22)

Internet communication, or indeed all communication, is a participation in the work of Christ, who opens up the Word and Truth to all of us. How blessed are we, who share in this work, in a very special way- in the modern communication of the Internet. Let us pray that our work in the Internet "may unite people to know, love, and worship the Giver and Source of these gifts of social communications." (Fr. Jose Vidamor Yu)

END

Resources: 

Benedict XVI, Address to Participants in a Congress on "Digital Witnesses. Faces and Languages in the Cross-Media Age" organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference, 2010

Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Ethics in Internet, 2002

Pontifical Council for Social Communications, The Church and Internet, 2002

Rev. Jose Vidamor Yu, The Role of the Internet in the New Evangelization, Congregation for the Clergy, 2006

Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Conciliar Decree Inter Mirifica, 1963

St. John Paul II, Message on the 36th World Communications Day, 2002

Exposition of relics of St. John Paul II: Part Two

As the whole Church rejoiced at the Canonization of two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II, we had a special way of joining the Church in its joy....

We had a cenacle (according to the Marian Movement of Priests), and afterwards had veneration of the relics of the new Saints and some Polish saints and blessed.

Thanks to the following persons who made this veneration possible:

- Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Community, who welcomed our request to have these relics venerated in their cenacles.

-Lawrence Vidanes, for the help and of course, for shouldering some of our fares...

-To all of those who prayed for the success of this day's activities....

Grazie a Dio!

My Story

I'd like to share a summary of my vocation history, the events that led me to become a seminarian of this institution, the diocesan seminary and the people who helped me.

I owed my vocation and my love for God to St. John Paul II. Because of him I was able to know the Faith more and more, until now.

My parents supported me in my plans to become a priest, and since childhood they taught me how to pray the basic prayers. My aunt also gave me some religious books to read and shared to me how she loves John Paul II so much. I remember that they would bring me to Church to pray. When they pray, I imitate them the way they prayer. I know that without them, my desire to go on in this journey would make both my soul and body weary and tired.

When I was very young I was a very religious boy, a very very good boy. You can ask to our neighbors especially a Kagawad and they would tell about me that "he's a very good boy" "kabalo mo-ampo ug rosaryo bisan bata pa"(he's very young and knows to pray the rosary), etc, etc. True, I was very religious in the past, but when I entered high school until now I seldom attend the weekly Kasaulogan meetings at our chapel every Saturday night. I didn't know most of our neighbors. I mostly stayed at home or going with my parents to help them in their business.

I entered the service as an altar server in our parish when I was in 2nd year high school and my service there helped me appreciate more the Mass and the sacraments by their heritage and majesty. I am also thankful to our former parish priest who is now our seminary's spiritual director who helped me to discern whether I am fit to become a seminarian or not. Right now I am still discerning on what road should I take.

When I graduated High School I asked whether I'll enter the diocesan seminary or to become a religious brother. I decided to enter the diocesan seminary. Well life here in the diocesan seminary was good, I was able to open myself by relating myself with people who are unique in their personality. It may be hard but it's good. At least I enjoyed my stay rather than to feel guilt when I get old that I didn't take that opportunity.

Well that sums up everything. As a history-lover, I say that my life is not yet well-recorded. I am still alive, I want to enjoy my life here on earth, I am not dead. So is my journey as a seminarian. I thank God that I am recommended to the second year. That means I can bully the lower ones. Joking aside. I hope that with my limited strength and unfailing trust to God may open the hearts of our formators to give me another time to show them that I am willing to become a priest.

Exposition of relics of Blessed John Paul II: Part One

Finished Part One of expositions and venerations this morning... The mass-goers were surprised by the relic present... and as I let them venerate the relic, I saw the happiness and the joy in their faces. I am so happy and blessed that I was able to give them this privilege.

A very big and heartfelt thanks goes to the following:

- to my home GKK (basic ecclesial community) for allowing us to have them, even when I asked them to have this veneration only a day in advance....

-to our GKK leaders, who support and continually pray for my vocation

-to Fr. David John de los Reyes, SJ, our Mass celebrant, for giving us a wonderful homily and a small catechesis about JPII and his relics.

and to everyone who venerated his relics with love and faith in their hearts, I offer my sincere thanks and I hope that this will not be the last veneration of his relics in our community.

Grazie a Dio!

Prayer Requests?

       

The relics of John Paul II and John XXIII that I have will be exposed on two different places tomorrow. One venue will have Mass celebrated for the exposition.

If you wish to relay any prayer intentions or requests, don't hesitate to use the comment box below or to PM me..

semncsator (or kiapokspika in the Admin roll)

Vatican issues official prayers to Saints John XXIII & John Paul II (CNS NEWS)

VATICAN CITY — The banners of Blesseds Pope John Paul II and John XXIII were hung on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica today and the official prayer cards of the two new saints have been printed.

Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the papal vicar for Vatican City, produced the cards, which will be distribution after the two popes’ canonizations on Sunday.

This is what they look like with the prayers on the back:

The cardinal’s office said there were no plans to provide official translations of the prayers. So, for the time being, we’d like to offer you our own translation here:

Prayer to St. John Paul II

Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.

May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.

Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.

Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.

Prayer to St. John XXIII

Dear Pope John,

Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the family gathered around the table to share bread and faith: pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.

Without outstretched hands you sowed hope, and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as he prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.

You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us be instruments of peace at home and in our communities.

With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: you moved the world and reminded us that hands have been given to us not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.

Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary. Amen.

(Carol Glatz- CNS)

Old Mass

My first encounter with the Latin Mass was when I debated with the some Catholics who don't accept changes after Vatican II and wanted the Old Mass be celebrated back in all churches in the world, I suddenly became interested with their customs they practice, especially in the Mass. 

I searched the internet about the Mass, and as I looked at the pictures I suddenly realized how beautiful the Mass was in the past before Vatican II. In the Old Mass there were no guitars, no lectors, commentators and a mass army of lay ministers gathering at the altar. Everything was different in the Old Mass and the present Order of the Mass. The beautiful decorations, the hair tingling words of Latin, the down-to-earth tune of the Gregorian chant and everything you could describe the Old Mass. I was impressed by its mystery and majesty. I really wanted to serve in the Old Mass.

Thank God here in Davao I met a group who were inclined to the spirituality and the order of the Mass in the old form. They used to celebrate in different seminaries here, and it is wonderful to meet and befriend new people(I am still in contact with them until now) who shared with me the same feelings and dreams for the group and for the Old Mass. I learned new experiences and lessons with them, and I really thanked them for helping me understand more the beauty and of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

One of the members of the group made me a black cassock and with it I was able to serve the Mass wearing the cassock. I dunno if it still fits for me, but if it isn't I might give it to someone or make it as a relic. We used to have Mass celebrated in a formation house run by a religious congregation a few meters away from our home. We used to celebrate High Masses and Sung Masses and sometimes Low Masses. 

One of the Low Masses celebrated in the Vocationist Formation House. 

It was a privilege for me to serve 3 consecutive Low Masses alone. I searched at the Internet the steps on serving a Low Mass and I was contented at the result. One awkward moment that I did was when I opened the cruets and I smelled the scent of each cruet at the Offertory. My explanation was that I simply followed everything at the video, which includes the server awkwardly doing what I did on that day. 

When I entered the Seminary I wasn't able to participate in their activities, probably because the venue of their activities was very far, and the negative reaction of some of the clergy and some people on the Mass. I also knew that there were internal conflicts in the group with regards of their plans. I was hurt on what was happening today but because of necessity to keep myself safe in my formation, I decided to leave the group for good. 

I really love and appreciate the Latin Mass. I love the mystery, the majesty of the rites and the dignity of the Mass that is well worthy in the presence of the King. But I do not want the Mass to be used as an instrument of nostalgia and rebellion towards the Church authorities. I do not want the Mass to be used as the reason for being isolated in the world because the Church moves as the Holy Spirit moves. As the Holy Spirit moves new opportunities and ideas are welcomed in the Church for us to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ: to preach the Gospel and save souls to all nations. I love the Old Mass because it leads me to appreciate the rich heritage of the Church particularly the liturgy. Most of the rites in the Mass today came from the rites of the Ancient Fathers. 

Today I am not attending their Masses anymore. I do not have contact with some of them in the group. But the love for the Old Mass still never dies. I hope that when the sea turns calm, I may offer myself to serve the Old Mass once again. 

of greetings....

Sa maayong pamatasan, maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan!

(Trans.: According to good nature, I greet all of you a pleasant day! (Ed.) )

I am Nico, a seminarian in the diocese of Davao and 2nd year in my college formation. The seminary of which I entered is just a few walking distance away from our home...

I used to be a contributor of different Catholic blogs here in the blogosphere, but because of my other important duties outside I had never checked them for long...

So as a new admin of this blog I hope that I can help others and I try my best to make you all readers enjoy our articles....

P.S Well you might wonder why my name in my blog is "non tollitur"? Well, non tollitur comes from the latin quote "vita mutatur, non tollitur". It means life changes, not taken away. In our life we must enjoy our pilgrimage and life as humans (as I am trying to do) as well as keeping our soul pure and clean when God takes us to Heaven.

April 27. 2014- Solemn Canonization of Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II, Supreme Pontiffs

                               

"When we consider the life of those who have faithfully followed Christ, we are inspired with a new reason to seek the City that is to come and we are most safely taught the path by which, amid the changing things of this world and in keeping with the state in life and condition proper to each of us, we can arrive at that perfect union with Christ, which is holiness. Surrounded as we are by such an array of witnesses, through whom God is present to us and speaks to us, we are powerfully drawn to reach His Kingdom in heaven."

Blessed John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister, 25 January 1983 

"We are not here to guard a museum, but to cultivate a flourishing garden of life."

          Blessed John XXIII

This coming Sunday, Pope Francis will canonize two Popes, Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II.

I thank God with the Universal Church for the gift of these two Saints.

And I thank God that these two Saints have given me the privilege of taking care of their relics.

Pardon me if I do not have the picture of the relic of Blessed John XXIII...

But I will have them venerated at several places in Davao on their Canonization this Sunday.

Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II, pray for us!

Entering the road less traveled: My Vocation History

“Fear not, I am with you, I have called you by name, you are mine!’

Unlike many others who have dramatic vocation histories, mine is a classic story of being called from childhood, surviving temptations in high school, and finally entering the seminary.

Dramatic or not, with effects or plainly simple, what’s important really is heeding the right call, being in the right place and ending up with the right vocation.

Here’s how I ended up becoming a seminarian…..

‘Fear not!”

Any encounter with God usually starts with fearful reverence. (But that isn’t so much “the” case for me…)

When I was a small child, maybe a couple of years old, I would usually scream and panic with all the shouting and crying whenever I saw large images of Saints, and especially the giant Crucifix which hung at the sanctuary of whatever church we happened to attend Mass in.

But this funny yet sorry state did not last long as I grew up. I soon began to admire small statues of saints and would often kiss them as much as I played with Power Rangers, huge teddy bears and licked spoons of melted sugar for banana-que…. All of my relatives have fond memories of me going to the altar of each home and asking if I could see a pious image or a small book… and try have them as well!

Time on, I learned how to pray from my parents and relatives, and before I realized it, I was already leading the Rosary when I was in Grade One. (That sure confused my relatives!) 

‘I am with you!”

As I studied in Assumption College of Davao for the rest of my elementary and high school years, I have felt the calm and gentle presence of the Lord guiding me to making the right decision.

From Kinder One to Fourth Year HS, my favorite subject was Religious Education (ReEd), and anyone, whether teacher or classmate, if asked about this, would answer that I was good in this subject. Why?

In this subject, I was tutored on how to pray deeper-and-deeper. Prayer gave me that feeling of calmness and comfort; I felt that God was the best Friend I knew, and that I should maintain frequent contact with him.  I also learned to be good and upright from the lessons I learned from ReEd.

This subject became an opener for me to other subjects. Church History introduced me to Social Studies. A sense of wonder in Creation led me to appreciate Science. The need for comprehension of books and materials naturally led me to learning English and Filipino. And others…

Finally, ReEd helped me discern my vocation…to which we will arrive later.

When I was in Grade Four, one of our teachers, Sir Fromencio Payac, approached me and asked me if I was willing to become an altar boy for our school. I immediately agreed and began practicing with the servers for the Mass. I learned how to serve the Mass in a matter of months, and I was given the cassock and surplice to wear as a server.

Serving has become a moment of grace for me, and I relish those moments when I studied and learned by heart the rubrics for Holy Mass. If I had not become a server, my discernment would have become pretty hard as well.

I served at school and at our local BEC (basic ecclesial community), which I preferred to the parish church because of its closeness to home.

Being an altar server usually meant that I must be a model of goodness to others and that I must spend time in prayer and study. These two I already practiced, but with the goodness of God, I added my effort to pray at the Chapel and to help others, especially in terms of faith and morals.

“I have called you by name…”

High School is a time of transition and change. Drooling and snotty people become guys and gals, pushy and funny playmates become campus hunks and crushes, and bookworms either die or go intensely nuts!

While others became busy with presenting themselves before their crushes, going out “en grande” to malls and other places of leisure, I became busy with studying the Faith and the rubrics of the Mass seriously. I spent times in places like the library, sacristy, the convent of the sisters and bookstores. I seriously pored over theological materials that would have sent others scurrying!

I also began to do a ministry which I am active until now: ministry in social media. From sharing the Gospel through statuses, posting pics of saints in Flickr and posting commentary in blogs… I tried to make the most of my gifts and of my free time in doing the work of God and of inspiring others to work for God.

But these never separated me from the reality I was in. I had some friends and enemies as well… helped others in their academic endeavors, and became engrossed in online media (maintaining a blog, a Flickr page and a FB account at the same time is no small feat!)…

But what differentiated me from others really was my openness towards a particular vocation in life: priesthood. They already knew about it and they felt that I was weird enough to take the position! (As if priests were species of a different genus that suddenly sprouted out from somewhere!)

I loved the thought of becoming a priest someday. Wearing the priestly vestments, presiding over the Mass and blessing people was a dream that made a mark on my mind and on every work I did.

I was inspired by several priest-relatives I met along the way and I admired the way how they celebrated the Mass and blessed people and objects… I would often say to myself: “Soon, I’ll be able to do this!”

A year in High School particularly struck me: Third Year. Here my resolves would be tested for the first time. Here, I gained a whole lot of friends, lessened enemies and be attracted to some women because of their inner and outer beauty (not to mind their active minds!)… Here, I started to wonder and ask whether I was also suited for other forms of Christian life, namely, single-blessedness and marriage…

But the Lord seemed to have other plans for me.

‘You are mine...”

A year later, in Fourth Year, when the second semester opened, many of my classmates already had a course in their minds. They already applied to whatever school they wished to study in. But I was clueless and confused at that time. I had no idea which course I should take… I asked myself and my parents: ‘Will this course be okay for me?” ‘Will I land a good job with this after graduation?”

My ReEd teacher was an ex-seminarian of XACOSE (St. Francis Xavier College Seminary), and he suggested to me that I should take the search-in with religious congregations. I took one at the Redemptorist Fathers, but I did not continue for some reason. He then suggested to me that I should have a search-in at XACOSE, but I postponed it until sometime later… But because of that, I began thinking seriously of entering the seminary.

Retreat Day. February 2011. When all of my classmates turned it into a bonding session, I used it strictly and used it for contemplation and prayer. I strictly did the Retreat and asked God if I should enter the seminary or not.

The answer came on the night when we had our Holy Hour. I felt that God was telling me to enter the seminary and to try living out the priestly life, and if I decided that it was not for me, then he would also accompany me out. I wished to cry, but I could not, since some were already laughing at the side when I was deep in prayer. But at least, the coast is clear, I should enter the seminary.

March. Graduation came and we all said farewell to the school that welcomed us for a time. We had to move on from where we were then. I remembered the advice of our teacher and decided to join a search-in. I joined a search-in on March 15 and passed. I then asked the blessing of my parents to enter the seminary. They had some qualms about it, but later they gave their blessing.

And that’s how I entered the seminary and became a seminarian. Part 2 will come after a week or so, which will tackle some of the important events in my life as a seminarian for two years.

Why I am not much into TLM anymore? (A repost)

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This is a repost from my friend Rafael Vicho's blog. I thank him for articulating into words what I felt since I was in Pre-College; a slight dislike of the Traditionalist Movement and its attitudes.

I like the TLM, but not the Traditionalists.

I wish to celebrate the TLM, but not with them.

I love Tradition, but not the Traditionalists.

Cheers,

semncsator

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Years ago, just before graduating college, I started to attend the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also commonly known as the Traditional Latin Mass/Traditional Latin Rite/Mass according to Blessed (and soon-to-be-saint, just few days from now!) Pope John XXIII/1962 Roman Rite. Nah! So many terms. But to make it simple, I'll just use the term "EF Mass" - short for Extraordinary Form, as what the Summorum Pontificum says, released by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI when he is still the highest authority of the Church before he was replaced by Cardinal Bergoglio renamed as Pope Francis. There was even a time that I served as an altar server in a now-dissolved (and reshuffled) group of EF Mass advocates.


I admit it, I love the mass. I love the sacred music which is inseparable from the liturgy. I love how the mass reflects my faith as a Catholic. In fact, such form of the Roman Rite strengthens my conviction that the Catholic Church is indeed the Scriptural Church. This is after realizing how the Holy Bible is very much expressed through the five senses - the majestic smell of the incense; hearing the orthodox preaching of priests and those beautiful chants of the sacred music coming from the choir; the beautiful arrangement of the altar and the captivating design of the sacred vestments; the taste of the sacred species during the Holy Communion; and the feeling of sitting, standing, kneeling and having your hands together while watching and witnessing the Calvary continued on the sacred altar.


Also because of the EF Mass, I got to know different kinds of people. Some of them I become my friends, others - sadly - become my enemies. But most of them were only in speaking terms - only when it comes to the Mass, Catholicism and other related stuffs. I've encountered various opinions coming from those people. Some has the revolutionary point of Catholicism from the -super-duper-ultra-mega-traditionalist perspective. Others....well....they just want to attend the Mass to fulfill their Sunday obligations - even if they don't really understand the Latin language at all (that's it!). There are some who has this ambitious dream for the TLM movement. These TLM dreams ranges from: having the more-than-complete TLM kit set to be carried anywhere; to more money and cash donations to buy more vestments and mass tools; to have many priests who are always available to celebrate the EF Mass if needed (or wanted, whichever it will be...); to the Pope will celebrate EF Mass at St.Peter's Basilica; up to the most radical one which is to dissolve the New Form of the Mass (or the Novus Ordo Mass) altogether and require all churches to celebrate only the EF Mass - no excuses! Well, there is nothing wrong in dreaming. I am just hoping that those dreams are in line with what the Catholic Church dreams of.


Also because of the EF Mass, I encountered the group of people that influences and changed my path of life - which is the Franciscans of the Immaculate - though sometimes I "somewhat rebel" against its Marian-Franciscan way of life. Maybe because I am a person who is sympathetic to conservative, moral principles but I hate inflexibility of implementing those principles in daily lives. They had celebrated the EF Mass - until the directive came by which shocked the bones and pride of the EF Mass fanatics. These folks attracted me so much - to the point that I want to be part of them. It is just that a religious life is not my calling. These peepz let me appreciate the Catholic faith more through their honest simplicity and humility. I indeed love the FI - up to now. :)))


I am really sympathetic with the FI - even to the point of bashing those who are misinterpreting the things surrounding the FI against the ecclesiastical rumormongers. I myself was bashed by a former colleague of mine in an apologetics circle because of that "FI-was-banned-to-celebrate-EF-Mass" issue - in which I consider myself not a member of such a group anymore. Up to now, we are not in good terms - which is not the expected fruits of the so called "Mass of the Ages".


Now my question is this: If the EF Mass had contributed to the sanctifications of many saints and blessed, then how come that in my experience of being with the EF Mass movement, it is the other way around? Sometimes, I have this gut feeling that those who are attending the liturgically-abused Novus Ordo is even holier than those who are attending the EF Mass. This is because those "commoner Catholics" attending the Novus Ordo Mass only knows that they are attending mass to give thanks and praise to God - in which that is what the essence of the liturgy is in the first place.


I've also witnessed how friendship was shattered in the EF Mass movement. I've also lost a close friend of mine in relation to the EF Mass movement in which that person used to be active with. I've witnessed a EF Mass goer who returned to its former sect/false religion because of the bad things happening in the EF Mass movement. I've seen calumnies throwing against each other by the EF Mass peepz themselves - just like a volleyball ball bouncing back and forth in the volleyball court during the actual game. I've encountered the most condescending and the most unforgiving person I've met ever in my life in the EF Mass. I've also encountered those "weirder-than-weirdest" folks who have "weirder-than-alien" ideologies: ranging from "Blessed-and-soon-to-be-Saint-John-Paul-II-is-still-alive-up-to-now" thing; then the"Maria-Divine-Mercy-bruhaha" visions; to the "aspiring-saints-cosplayers" wearing liturgical vestments and habits in which they are not even authorized to do so; and even up the "oust-Cardinal-Tagle" movement, "Pope-Francis-is-the-antipope-with-the-sign-of-the-mark-of-the-beast" idea, and - the weirdest of all - the "Mama-Mary-is-the-incarnate-of-the-Holy-Spirit" bruhaha!!! (paging Mariologists!!!).


Now I don't serve in the EF Mass anymore. I do attend sometimes, but rarely. Now I am considering myself not an avid part of the so-called "Tridentine Mass Movement" or "Societas" terms or whatever Latin names that they can come up with to identify their "Latinized ideology". I am not against the EF Mass. I just against on the people and their "extraordinary attitude" that I myself can't think of a single adjective to describe them.


Some may call me immature, but the question is, what is the essence of that piece of motu proprio that liberates the use of usus antiquior? Does that moto proprio means rebellion against the present state of liturgy, or the expression of what liturgy is all about, without suppressing someone? Does the Summorum Pontificum intend to divide the Catholic brethen between the "progressive-liberal-liturgical innovators" on the left and the "nostalgic-conservative-rubrically correct" rightist, or an attempt to unite all into the one Catholic faith and expressing that oneness through the liturgy?


I got an answer from the Franciscans of the Immaculate.


During those times that they are still celebrating the EF Mass, I found something in them that I didn't find in any other TLM Masses I've attended to. At FFI, I found one thing: SINCERITY. They celebrate the EF Mass not because of show or just to brag to the whole entire universe that they are following the Summorum Pontificum. They don't say: "Hey! We celebrate the EF Mass! See that!!! We are following the rubrics properly! We have the best choir in a bunch! We are now good!" No, I didn't see that in any FFI priests that I've encountered celebrating the EF Mass. They do the EF mass simply because they follow and obey the Pope. They do the EF mass out of sincerity, and not out of showy display.


I am not a liturgical expect. In fact, I am not considering myself as part of those "elitist Catholic apologist" who spends time in analysing Church issues online and ecclesiastical discourse, though I tried to be before. This is in fact my primary reason why I thought that apologetics id not for me at all. It is just that, that being an "elitist" is not me. I am not a hyper-intellectual scholastic graduate of a high caliber university. I am not a child of any prestigious Catholic movement. I am just an typical Catholic, going to mass every Sunday and trying to live a life despite of my sinfulness and imperfections that I always have. I am just a person who is trying to be myself as I can be.


I may not be part of the TLM movement, but the EF Mass will always be part of my life as a Catholic. I may not be the best or the most perfect or the holiest Catholic that I can be, but rest assured, that the EF Mass will always be have a part in my heart. I am not totally leaving the EF Mass movement, but I'd be rather on their back, watching them. I am looking forward that someday, I will serve again at the EF Mass - in God's time.