iPaul no. 7 - Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

8/6/2019 iPaul no. 7 - Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

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Saint Paul Scholasticate NewsletterNo. 7 Sts. Peter & Pau ls Eve 2008

Q ui s nos s e pa r ab i t a c ar i t a t e Chr i s t i? An g l ad i u s ?

In the afternoon of June 3, 2003 the firstbatch of Barnabite students came to Tagay-tay to start a new experience: the Saint PaulScholasticate. We want to recall the names ofthose courageous pioneers: Joselito A. San-tos, Jimmy George C. Anastacio, Ferdinand S.

Dagcuta, Romulo S. Bahag, Aro H. Ocon, Or-land B. Quejada, Rey R. Ligtas, Roan Cipriano J. Aborque. Of those eight first scholastics,four are now priests, 50 per cent.

The foundation of the Saint Paul Scholas-ticate had been approved by the GeneralCouncil at its meeting of May 7, 2003. Untilthat moment the Barnabite Filipino pro-fessed had gone to Rome to attend to theirtheological studies. The first three FilipinoBarnabites (Jesus S. Allado, Richard B. Gene-tiano and Joselito R. Ortega) accomplishedtheir whole curriculum in Rome. But at a

certain point the Superiors of the Congrega-tion deemed it fitting to leave all candidatesin their countries for the theological forma-tion. Thus they decided to constitute severalnew scholasticates in Brazil, Chile, D. R. ofCongo and the Philippines. For this countrythe City of Tagaytay was chosen as the resi-dence of the new scholasticate. Why? Be-cause it was in a wonderful position, therewas a cool climate, the Congregation already

(Continued on page 2)

sps, 5 yearsby Giovanni Scalese, CRSP

June 28, 2008

PAULINE YEARJune 29, 2009


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possessed a piece of land here (which was not used,though, for the new foundation, since it was too farfrom the school) and because there was the School ofTheology of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD). It wasexactly in the SVD compound, precisely in William

Finnemann Hall, that the Saint Paul Scholasticate tookup residence in the first two years. Then, as soon as thenew building was ready, on March 31, 2005 we trans-ferred to Purok 163 (the former SMSK), remaining inthe beloved Barangay of San Jose. At the beginning theSaint Paul Scholasticate was just an affiliation of the thenonly Barnabite religious house in the Philippines, theMarikina Community (along with Saint Anthony Ma. Zac-caria Seminary, Saint Alexander Sauli Novitiate and Saint

Anthony Ma. Zaccaria Parish). But on June 21, 2004 theGeneral Council established the Saint Paul Scholasticateas an autonomous religious house under the name Col-

legium Sancti Pauli.After five years, a first assessment of the journeyso far covered can be convenient. As for structures, wecannot complain. We live in a nice house, situated onan even nicer property. All those who come find ourplace gorgeous. Those who had known it when it wasstill a coffee farm cannot believe their eyes. Its unrec-ognizable; its a paradise! they say.

From a numerical point of view, in these five years32 students passed through the Saint Paul Scholasticate,7 just to finish their studies (they had started in Rome)and the rest (25) beginning their theological formationhere. 9 of them are now priests, 14 are still in forma-

tion, and 9 left. Even in this case, we cannot complain.As for pastoral activities, even though for the time

being we do not have any specific apostolic work, wecan consider ourselves satisfied if, after just five years

of presence, all know the Barnabites, all call them forMasses, confessions, retreats, recollections and lec-tures. The scholastics themselves on weekends animatethe liturgy in three different chapels (San Jose, Buho,and Rodeo). On Sundays our chapel (dedicated to the

Sacred Heart) fills up with faithful (and on weekdaysthere are always Sisters with us). Three times a weekour Tahanang Mapag-aruga ni Padre Semeria is attendedby some twenty children for their school training. Eve-ryday, at 4 in the afternoon, our basketball court isswarming with boys. There remains the dream oftransforming our bodega (the big building once used asa coffee mill) into a church in honor of the Blessed Vir-gin Mary. We already have our Santuario de Fatima, thesmall outdoor shrine beside the Scholasticate. Therewe have already started promoting the devotion to OurLady: every Sunday afternoon we recite the Rosary;

every day during the month of May, at the end of theRosary, there was the offering of flowers by children(Flores de Mayo); from May to October, on the 13th of themonth, we commemorate the apparitions of Mary atFatima, starting and ending this practice with a proces-sion, attended by a considerable number of people. Letus hope that, as soon as possible, the dream of a bigshrine can become true.

Of course, this is just an external assessment. Wecannot measure the spiritual results of these past fiveyears. God alone knows them. On our part we cannotbut thank the Lord for His innumerable graces. TheSaint Paul Scholasticate, as we wrote in the first issue of

iPaul, is a handiwork of Divine Providence. Of course,we too have done and will continue to do our share.But it behooves Him to bring to fulfilment the work Hehas begun.

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Exactly one year ago, during the First Vespers ofSaints Peter and Paul in the Roman Basilica of SaintPaul Outside the Walls, Pope Benedict XVI announcedfor 2008-09 the celebration of a special Jubilee Year onthe occasion of the bimillennium of Saint Pauls birth,which the historians place between the years 7 and 10A.D.

If you remember, we welcomed that announcementwith joy, but even with a certain trepidation. In iPaul #3(SAMZs Day 2007) we wrote that this would be a bigresponsibility for the Barnabites (the Clerics Regularof

St. Paul) in general, and for us (belonging to the Ta- gaytay Scholasticate of Saint Paul) in particular.What shall we do during this year dedicated to our Apostle? It is too early to answer this question. ThePopes initiative has caught us off our guard. Anywaywe have a whole year in front of us to arrange a pro-gram of initiatives (of course unpretentious, suitable forour limited possibilities). This preparatory year seemedso long, and instead here we are!

We have prepared a program for this Pauline Year(you can see it on the last page of the newsletter), butwe feel still unprepared and inadequate for so an im-

portant appointment. Because we are children and dis-ciples of Paul, we really feel all the responsibility whichweighs on our shoulders . We cannot appear indifferenton this occasion, nor can we fail to measure up to theexpectations of those who think that the Barnabitesshould be experts of Saint Paul. Of course, to become aBarnabite it is not necessary to be a specialist inPauline Theology; but, at least it is to be hoped that aCleric Regular of Saint Paul has a certain knowledge ofthe Apostle and, above all, is filled with his spirit. I donot know if we have either of them. We just try to knowas best as possible our Patron and to imitate his exam-ples. To be sure, this Jubilee Year is a great grace for us,because it gives us the opportunity to deepen hisknowledge and to revive his spirit in us. Our Apostlewill accompany us day by day. We will try to follow himwherever he leads us.

For the time being we have prepared an issue ofiPaul mostly dedicated to him. We hope you appreciateit. If you do not find scientific studies about Paul, pleasedo not be disappointed. At leastyou can depend on itit has been written by heart.

No. 3 iPaul 3No. 7 iPaul 3

a year with saint paulby Giovanni Scalese, CRSP


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No. 3 iPaul 4

As I was thinking what to write for iPaul, Ithought of St. Paul as a teacher and guide. Maybethere are already lots of articles describing St. Paul asa teacher; but I would like to add something to them.I would like to write about him in relation to his fa-mous disciples/followers: such as Luke, Timothy andTitus. I believe that they would have something to sayabout Paul. They lived and worked with him, andknew him well, if not very well. Although they did notsay or write that much about him, I believe that thereis something to learn from them about their teacherand guide, St. Paul. They were surely influenced byhis teaching, thoughts, and ideas. As for Luke, he

must have been influenced by Paul in his writing asfar as its content is concerned; although, Lukes style

was different from that of Paul. Timothy and Titus, asfor their part, must have had a share of the thoughtsand ideas of Paul concerning their ministry as leadersof their communities. Paul for them was a guide, anadviser to whom they could consult in terms of com-munal/ecclesial affairs. However, I am not going to

write something exegetical in nature; but somethingthat points out St. Paul as a teacher and guide to hisdisciples/followers.

I personally believe that Paul was the best discipleof Jesus. As Jesus student, as St. Gregory would say,Paul was the one who had known Christ better thananyone else. No one has known Christ better thanPaul, nor surpassed him in the careful example hegave of what anyone should be who bears Christsname (St. Gregory). He was a great imitator of Christto the extent that he conceived that it was no longerhe who lived in him but Christ himself. As a result,Paul became a great teacher about Jesus. He becamethe doctor of the Gentiles, the fruit of his labors asteacher and guide. With his strong personality, Paulcould not have been a teacher without Jesus Christ

working in him.Luke testified to being a teacher of St. Paul. As he

was very much influenced by the theology of St. Paul

about the Gentile people, Luke perceived salvation asnot merely for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. Histheology of Incarnation reveals to his readers thatChrist came into the world not for a few but for all;not only for a certain country but for the whole world.This thought is very much Pauline. The mission ofPaul and his desire to announce the Good News alsoto the Gentile world manifested the Christ in him.Just as it was the wish of Jesus, Paul also wished toextend salvation to all human beings but without ne-glecting his own people, the Jews. Luke had this in

mind, as Pauls disciple, when he wrote the Gospeland the Acts of the Apostles. He could not disregardthe Pauline spirit in him since he knew well that it

was also Gods Spirit that led him to write so. For himPaul was a teacher worth imitating for he was the one

who learned so much from Jesus. Paul taught himeverything that Jesus had taught him. As a teacher,

what Paul could do was to transmit all the learning hegot from his Master. This is why there are suchPauline thoughts as within the content of Lukes writ-ings. Pauls thoughts seemed to have been absorbed

by Luke; so much so that the message of both wasaltogether similar: salvation for all peoples in Jesus

Christ.However, Timothy and Titus got a different ex-

perience with their father Paul. For them Paul wastheir guide in pastoral matters. Paul had a greatinfluence on them in their way in dealing with thecommunity. The letters addressed to them in thename of Paul were for them Paul himself guidingand advising them what to do in their ministry. It

was Paul who was at work in them, just as Christ was in Paul. For both Timothy and Titus, the pas-toral letters of Paul were guiding principles so thatthey could work effectively as seers of their respec-tive communities. Pauls words were like a father tohis sons. He was a guide that led them to the rightpath so that they in turn could also guide theirflock. As neophytes to the new organization of theChurch, Timothy and Titus needed someone to helpthem through the ups and downs of leading people,and it was St. Paul who came to their aid. As aguide, Paul wanted them to become Christ-like intheir service to the people of God. This they bothunderstood that they had to pattern their life afterthe great Shepherd, Christ Himself, the One wholived in Paul.

All in all, St. Paul can be considered as a teacherand guide after the Master, Jesus Christ. For us whochose Paul as our Patron and Guide, we are reminded

that we have to be imitators of him. If he was able tolet Jesus live in him, we too, as his followers/disciples, ought to follow suit. We have him as ourmodel; therefore, we are to live the life he lived, a lifemeant for Christ and his people. Our life should be aguiding force that teaches people to become likeChrist. Yet, for us weak and short-lived, to live a lifeaccording to that of St. Paul is not an easy task. It re-quires our dedication and conviction that Jesusshould live in us. If we do so, we can then say that St.Paul is truly our teacher and guide.

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SAINT Paul, teacher and guideby Jecker R. Luego, CRSP


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No. 3 iPaul 5

Most religious congregations have some patronsaint other than the founder associated with theircongregation. As for the founder of the Clerics Regu-lar of Saint Paul, the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul,and a third order of laity, Saint Anthony Mary Zac-caria chose for his followers Saint Paul as he had alsochosen the Apostle of the Gentiles as his personalpatron and model. On May 27, 1897 Pope Leo XIIIdeclared the young and fervent founder as a saint.In a speech by the Pope, he proclaimed that SaintPaul the Apostle was a master from whom Saint An-thony Mary Zaccaria developed his thought, his ac-tivity, and his life.

He enjoyed the letters of Saint Paul so much

that he took them as a model, both in doctrine

and behavior, and invoked him as and intercessor

to our Lord Jesus Christ. And Paul was there

Paul was always before Anthonys eyes; he had

Paul, his patron, stirring in his heart and always

prayed to Christ Crucified with Pauls name onhis lips.

In stating that Saint Paul was his master, and he aservant of Paul, we are stating that Saint AnthonyMary derived his identity from the Apostle Paul. Wecan say this on the premise that a servant, compared

with someone who simply performs services, identi-fies with the master, deriving a sense of personalidentity from him. However, it is not only that we saythat Saint Anthony Mary lives through Saint Paul,

but also that Saint Paul continues to live and func-tion through Saint Anthony Mary.

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria found in Saint Paula great deal of himself, as Saint Anthonys entire be-ing captured the strength and temperament of the

Apostle Paul. Paul was the one most suited in histemperament and ideals of reform, proclaiming theneed of a radical renewal. There were many aspectsof their characters that were similar. It was the Christ

-event of the Cross that stirred their souls to preach areform towards the love of neighbor and the glory ofGod. Both Saint Paul and Saint Anthony Mary had astrong and quivering soul, roused by the bloody real-ity of the Crucifix that enlightened and guided their

work. They both possessed a soul that is open to theHoly Spirit, letting it blow where it would. Saint Pauland Saint Anthony Mary listened to the movementof the Holy Spirit within their souls for they both hadthe same tenderness that links Paul and AnthonyMary together and allows the Holy Spirit toenlighten their souls.

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the paulinism of

st. Anthony m zaccariaby Rosauro A. Valmores, CRSP

Paul teaches Anthony Ma. the science of the Cross


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No. 3 iPaul 6

Another aspect that shares similarity betweenthese two saints is the fact that reading the works ofSaint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, we seem to be readingSaint Paul. When we meditate on the epistles of Saint

Paul we unknowingly find ourselves meditating onthe letters of Saint Anthony Mary. That whichmoved Saint Paul also moved Saint Anthony Mary.The two saints, who preached a metanoia for theirtimes, were of one heart and mind (Acts 4:32). Itcertainly can be said of Saint Anthony Mary that he

was the most faithful imitator of Paul. Thus the Zac-carian Paulinism can be summarized in the formulafamiliar to every Barnabite: Cor Antonii, CorPauli (the heart of Anthony is the heart of Paul).

Paul boasted of nothing other than the Cross ofJesus. It is in this same Cross of Jesus that Saint An-thony Mary found a source of grace in his work. BothSaint Paul and Saint Anthony Mary realized thattheir work could be measured as their own but onlyin their personal on-going conversion to allow theSpirit to work through every aspect of their charac-ter. Saint Anthony Mary found that the truth anddoctrine which Saint Paul rallied upon was that ofChrist Crucified. It became the same rallying call for

Saint Anthony Mary. Most of the writings of thisyoung and fervent priest are based upon the Christ-event of the Cross. It is to this that he constantly re-ferred in his sermons, speeches, advice, and letters

while referring to the Apostle Paul at the same time.Saint Anthony Mary indeed had become the execu-tor of the doctrine of the Apostle Paul. It is in thisdoctrine of Paul, the rallying call of Saint AnthonyMary, that we find the culmination of the teachingsof Truth itself.

It is in seeking out Paul as the Master andTeacher of Life that Saint Anthony Mary lookedupon Jesus as life. As Saint Anthony Mary saw thetruths of the faith of Jesus through Saint Paul as theMaster of Truth, so too with the doctrine of Paul,Saint Anthony Mary also followed the form of his(Pauls) life, for he made himself an illuminated like-ness of his life, for it says: Be imitators of me

brothers according to the model that you

see (Phil 3:17). The model that Saint AnthonyMary saw was not only Saint Paul but Jesus Himself,for the Apostle Paul tells us that it is not I who live

but Christ who lives in me (Gal 2:20). When Saint

Paul said be imitator of him that is exactly what Saint Anthony Mary did, even to the point of his style in writing. It can be said that the figure of Saint An-thony Mary emulated the Apostle Paul. In every as-pect of his life, Anthony Mary was illuminated by thedoctrines and life of Saint Paul.

Saint Anthony Mary grasped one of the principalthemes of Saint Paul and preached it with the vigorof Paul. He preached life with a potency of the figureof Saint Paul and his spirit, a life that arrived and

placed itself in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of SaintPaul, he preached Pauls metanoia from death to life.For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of

God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our

Lord (Rom 6:23).Lastly, in looking back at the Paulinism of Saint

Anthony Mary Zaccaria, we must conclude this arti-cle with a point central to both saints; namely, ChristCrucified and the Cross. One must willingly acceptthe Cross of Christ before one can enjoy the new life

of the Resurrection: However, one can surely taste itin the victory of the Cross. This is the doctrine asderived from Saint Paul which Saint Anthony Marypreached (Rom 6:1-8). We can find the concept andthe exact words of Christ Crucified on almost everypage of Saint Anthony Marys writings. The youngand fervent founder of the Clerics Regular of SaintPaul and the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul preachedChrist and Christ Crucified for no follower of the

Apostle Paul can boast anything other than Christ

and His Cross.If we wish to give a summation of Saint An-thony Mary, we could say that to love the Crossand to imitate the Cross was the work of Saint

Anthony Mary Zaccaria. This was the work givento Saint Anthony Mary by the Apostle Paulto

be an imitator of Christ Crucified. The persecu-tion that the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul hadexperienced in the year 1534, paved the way for

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Looking at Saint Pauls life and that of our Foun-der, we come to know that they are men of God.

They are soul mates. For this reason, we see that thespirit of Saint Paul is really working in the person ofour founder. In fact, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccariafounded two religious congregations: the Clerics

Regular of Saint Paul (Barnabites) and the AngelicSisters of Saint Paul and one society for married peo-ple by the name of Society of Saint Paul. Our Consti-

tutions are filled with a Pauline spirit. This Paulinespirit is present throughout the writings of Saint An-

thony, as evident by his Sermons and Letters. Then,who is Saint Paul for us?

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria called us the Sons

and Daughters of Saint Paul. In our Constitutions, we

find ourselves as Children of Paul. Therefore, Saint

Paul for us is our Father and Protector. From thevery beginning we are his; in fact, we are the firstPauline Congregation. Throughout our apostolate,

we become men of mission, just as Paul has done.This is due to our total consecration to God in theservice to others. We celebrate the Pauline feasts. We

have the privilege of asking his assistance everydayduring our night prayer. And in every Barnabitehouse an image of Paul can be seen.

As Pauls children what can we do? We must fol-low his footsteps. We must imitate him. We must runlike madmen towards God and our neighbors, as ourfounder, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, said. It

means that we are for others. We are on mission forthe needy. We are soldiers of Christ. We followChrist Crucified in crucifying our self-interests in or-

der to open our inner-eyes to see the needs of others.It is our Eucharist, because our actions speak louderthan words. This is the fulfillment of the saying ofSaint Paul that we are to be the imitators of Christ,

just as he was. In dying to self we then live for Christthrough being all to all.

Lastly, let us listen to the words of our Founder,

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, in which he wrote tous not with the pen but with the heart, I urge you,sons and stock of Paul, open wide yourselves Do

not make yourselves inferior to the vocation to whichyou have been called. If you want, from now on youcould be heirs and legitimate children of our HolyFather and of great Saints, and Christ Crucified will

extend his arms over you (Letter VII).


Pau l i ne -Zaccar i an Sp i r i t ua l i t y

BEING FOR OTHERSby Yohanes Besi Koten, CRSP

the materialization of one of the most soulquenching speeches of all time. His eloquentspeech on October 4, 1534 unanimously touchedthe inmost souls of his spiritual children. The

speech itself bears the Founders Christo-centricPaulinism. It underlined the crucifix by exhortingthe fourth chapter of Saint Pauls first letter tothe Corinthians, exhorting to give principally tothe imitation of Christ by embracing the evan-gelical counsels and the virtues together, which isgiven to us in the Cross. Thus it was in the Crossof Christ that we find the Christo-centric Paulin-ism of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria. It was theunderstanding of the Crucified Christ, derived

from Saint Paul, which he constantly set beforeus, his spiritual children.


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The following is a compilation of quotes from the letters of

Saint Paul taken from theNew American Bible. There is a

quote associated with each day of the month, including leap year.

Some of the quotes have been taken out of context; therefore, a few

grammatical changes were required. The purpose behind this work

is so that one may meditate on a Pauline passage each day of the

year. It can be used as part of a dailyLectio Divina whereby

one practices reverent passivity in allowing God to act within one

as God so wishes. ( Towards God by Fr. Michael Casey,

O.C.S.O.) In Vita Consecrata (1996) Pope John Paul II

affirmed the Word of God as the first source of all ChristianSpirituality andLectio Divina as the means that introduces the

consecrated person into a personal and living encounter with the

Living God. Hopefully the reader will find this profitable not only

for this Pauline Year but throughout his/her spiritual life.

July

1 For if by that one persons transgression the manydied, how much more did the grace of God and thegracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow

for the many. (Rom 5:15)2 Whether we are awake or asleep we may live togetherwith Him. (1 Thess 5:10)3 You are constrained by your own affections. (2 Cor6:12)4 Even when you were dead (in) transgressions and theuncircumcision of your flesh, He brought you to lifealong with Him, having forgiven us all our transgres-sions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legalclaims, which was opposed to us, He also removed itfrom our midst, nailing it to the cross. (Col 2:13-14)5 Be severe in virtue. (2 Cor 13:10)6 The grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with

the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Tm 1:14)7 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, per-secutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; forwhen I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)8 Exhort and correct with all authority. (Tit 2:15)9 The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,and the weakness of God is stronger than humanstrength. (1 Cor 1:25)10 I rather urge you out of love. (Philem 1:9)11 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)12 What you heard from me through many witnessesentrust to faithful people who will have the ability toteach others as well. (2 Tm 2:2)13 I will not dare to speak of anything except whatChrist has accomplished through me. (Rom 15:18)14 Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life,to which you were called when you made the nobleconfession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tm6:12)15 May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that

you may know what is the hope that belongs to His call.(Eph 1:18)16 Our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Cor4:16)17 By the standard by which you judge another youcondemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the verysame things. (Rom 2:1)18 What will separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom8:35)19 All this I do for the sake of the gospel. (1 Cor 9:23)20 I am not ashamed of the Gospel. (Rom 1:16)21 Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord

avoid evil. (2 Tm 2:19)22 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the greatlove He had for us, even when we were dead in ourtransgressions, brought us to life with Christ. (Eph 2:4-5)23 Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be coura-geous, be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)24 Strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holinessbefore our God and Father at the coming of our LordJesus with all His holy ones. (1 Thess 3:13)25 Living the truth in love, we should grow in everyway into Him who is the Head, Christ. (Eph 4:15)26 I urge you, be imitators of me. (1 Cor 4:16)27 He is the Head of the body, the Church. (Col 1:18)28 Love is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, itis not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, itdoes not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with thetruth. (1 Cor 13:5-6)29 Our citizenship is in heaven. (Phil 3:20)30 Hold faith as a shield. (Eph 6:16)31 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a partici-pation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break,is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Cor10:16)


walking daily with saint Paulby Michael F. Mancusi, CRSP


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August

1 Through Him we have received the grace of apostle-ship. (Rom 1:5)

2 All of you are children of the light and children of theday. (1 Thess 5:5)3 May (God) grant you in accord with the riches of Hisglory to be strengthened with power through His Spiritin the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in yourhearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded inlove, may have strength to comprehend with all theholy ones what is the breadth and length and height anddepth, and to know the love of Christ that surpassesknowledge, so that you may be filled with all the full-ness of God. (Eph 3:16-19)4 Since we have such hope, we act very boldly. (2 Cor3:12)5 Set an example for those who believe, in speech, con-duct, love, faith, and purity. (1 Tm 4:12)6 God destined us for adoption to Himself throughJesus Christ, in accord with the favor of His will. (Eph1:5)7 God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellow-ship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:9)8 Show yourself as a model of good deeds in every re-spect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and soundspeech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponentwill be put to shame without anything bad to say. (Tit2:7-8)

9 Do everything without grumbling or questioning.(Phil 2:14)10 We are ambassadors for Christ. (2 Cor 5:20)11 I hear of the love and the faith you have in the LordJesus. (Philem 1:5)12 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (Eph 5:10)13 Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil withgood. (Rom 12:21)14 Encourage your hearts and strengthen them in everygood deed and word. (2 Thess 2:17)15 A virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord. (1Cor 7:34)

16 Be peaceable and considerate, exercising all gracious-ness toward everyone. (Tit 3:2)17 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor9:15)18 Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with thestrength that comes from God. (2 Tm 1:8)19 He delivered us from the power of darkness andtransferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, inWhom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.(Col 1:13-14)20 Hoping against hope. (Rom 4:18)

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21 Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up. (1Cor 8:1)22 Be self-possessed in all circumstances. (2 Tm 4:5)23 As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him,rooted in Him and built upon Him and established inthe faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.(Col 2:6-7)24 As proof that you are children, God sent the Spiritof His Son into our hearts, crying out, Abba, Fa-ther! (Gal 4:6)25 Be free for prayer. (1 Cor 7:5)

26 Do you not know that you are the temple of God,and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16)27 If we deny Him He will deny us. (2 Tm 2:12)28 If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if onepart is honored, all the parts share its joy. (1 Cor 12:26)29 Put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. (Col3:14)30 Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. (1 Cor15:34)31 The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern ofthe spirit is life and peace. (Rom 8:6)


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No. 3 iPaul 10

September

1 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to whatis good. (Rom 12:9)

2 God may make you worthy of His calling and power-fully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and everyeffort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may beglorified in you, and you in Him. (2 Thess 1:11-12)3 In Him you also are being built together into a dwell-ing place of God in the Spirit. (Eph 2:22)4 The demands of the law are written in their hearts.(Rom 2:15)5 You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine.(Tit 2:1)6 God is able to make every grace abundant for you, sothat in all things, always having all you need, you may

have an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)7 Avoid profane and silly myths. (1 Tm 4:7)8 Live as children of light. (Eph 5:8)9 God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather ofpower and love and self-control. (2 Tm 1:7)10 Though He was in the form of God, (Christ) did notregard equality with God something to be grasped. (Phil2:6)11 Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph inChrist. (2 Cor 2:14)12 We are justified by His grace and have become heirsin hope of eternal life. (Tit 3:7)13 I have the strength for everything through Him whoempowers me. (Phil 4:13)14 Refrain from every kind of evil. (1 Thess 5:22)15 If we have died with Him we shall also live withHim. (2 Tm 2:11)16 It is He whom we proclaim, admonishing everyoneand teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we maypresent everyone perfect in Christ. (Col 1:28)17 So whoever is in Christ is a new creation. (2 Cor5:17)18 You are inflated with pride. (1 Cor 5:2)19 A person should examine himself. (1 Cor 11:28)20 The one who plants nor the one who waters is any-

thing, but only God, who causes the growth. (1 Cor 3:7)21 He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him.(Eph 1:4)22 So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and livein love, as Christ loved us and handed Himself over forus as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.(Eph 5:1-2)23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God iseternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

24 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful forteaching, for refutation, for correction, and for trainingin righteousness. (2 Tm 3:16)25 Through faith you are all children of God in Christ

Jesus. (Gal 3:26)26 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too willGod, through Jesus, bring with Him those who havefallen asleep. (1 Thess 4:14)27 But may I never boast except in the cross of ourLord Jesus Christ. (Gal 6:14)28 You have been purchased at a price. (1 Cor 6:20)29 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken offthe old self with its practices and have put on the newself. (Col 3:9-10)30 For since death came through a human being, theresurrection of the dead came also through a humanbeing. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shallall be brought to life. (1 Cor 15:21-22)

(continued in next issue)

No. 7 iPaul 10


11/30

No. 3 iPaul 11

The Saint Paul Scholasticates Community is

this year composed of 18 religious, 4 Fathers and

14 Scholastics. The Seniors are: the Rector Fr.

Giovanni Scalese, Fr. Michael Mancusi, Fr. Cirilo

Coniendo, and Fr. Jecker Luego. The Scholastics

are as follows. T3 students: Jose Nazareno Gabato,

Arvin Dagalea, Yohanes Besi Koten, and Pat

Golis. T2 students: Rosauro Valmores, Joseph

Bernales, and Jay Patulin. T1 students: Albino

Vecina, Henry Pabualan, and Isagani Gabisan.

There are also four students who this year inter-

rupt their studies in order to attend the period of

preparation for the solemn profession in Rome:

Clyd Autentico, Jonathan Ramoso, Thomas

Federick Tabada, and Isfridus Syukur.

No. 7 iPaul 11

sps 2008-09

THENEWCOMERSAlbinoT.Vecina

AlbinoVecinawasbornonFebruary5,

1979 in Barangay Hinagtican in the

townofTomasOppus in theprovince

ofSouthernLeyte.Heisthe5thchildof

Mr.SilvinoC.VecinaandMrs.Hermosa

T.Vecina.Hebelongs toapoor family

with8siblings,6boysand2girls.

Albino finished his Elementary and

HighSchoolstudieswithonlyhisownsupport.Sincegrade

5hehadbeen aworking student in the capital townof

SouthernLeyte,Maasin.

Duringhigh schoolheonlyattendednightclassesas

heworkedduringtheday.Thereforeittookhim5yearsto

earnhisdiploma.


12/30

No. 3 iPaul 12

anewchallengeamidgladnessandjoy,thesearethechal

lengesthatwillcometoourlifethatwillshakenourfaith

andvocation;but,thenagain,theseareonlytrials in life.

With this realityof life, rather thanconcentratingon the

trialsoflife,weshouldfixourattentiononitsblessings,as

Psalm68:19says,BlessedbetheLord,whodailyloadsus

with benefits. So amid the conflicts, whether great or

small,weshouldnotbediscouraged.Godisoverall.Bet

ter to countourmanyblessingsandourGuardianAngel

willattend,help,andcomfortgiveusuntilourjourneys

end.

Alltheserealizationsarewhatthenewcornersare

tellingus.

IsaganiB.GabisanOn the night ofMarch 10, 1980 a

baby boy (second of five siblings)

wasbornonthe islandofCataban,

TalibonBohol. HisfatherwasDios

dado Gabisan Sr. and his mother

was Esmeralda Gabisan who were

veryhappy for they receivedagift

from God. As the years passed he

studiedatLarayElementarySchool

inCebu City andwas graduated in

1995.Thefollowingyearhebeganhishighschoolstudies

atCBDCollege locatedatWhiteRoad, Inawayan,Pardo,

Cebu

City

and

was

graduated

in

2000.

After

his

colorful

yearsofhighschool,hisuncleRomuloBahag invitedhim

to enter into the seminary of the Clerics Regular of St.

Paul.Theinvitationofhisunclewasgratefullyacceptedby

theyoungman.TheyoungmanbegantostudyatSt.Ca

millus College Seminary together with the other sixteen

youngmenfromdifferentpartsofthecountry.

Hence,rightaftergraduationthisyoungmandecided

togooutfromtheseminary.Infact,hewentoutfortwo

years formore discernment. After those two years out

side,thisyoungmanheardfromhisheartthecalltogo

backtotheseminarywherehewasbefore.Withoutwast

ing any time, in the summer of2007he knocked at the

heartoftheBarnabiteFathersaskingonceagaintoaccept

himinthebosomofthesameseminary.

God is somerciful tohimasHeheard theprayerof

theyoungman,fortheFathersoftheBarnabitecommu

nityacceptedhimforhisnovitiate.OnMay31,2008,the

feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary the

youngmanprofessedhis firstsimpleprofessionofvows.

AndIamgladtointroducetoyouthisyoungmanwhohas

receivedsomanywonderfulgiftsfromourGod.HeisBro.

IsaganiMa.Gabisan,CRSP.

Albinofeltthedesiretobecomeapriestwhenhewas

averyyoungage.Hewas ingrade2whenhesaid tohis

family,WhenIgrowupIwanttobecomeapriest.Hedidnotknow that thedesirehehadwasalreadya signofa

vocation.Hehadnoideainregardtotheunderstandingof

vocation.

Aftersolongatimehefinallyappliedtostudytoward

priesthoodwiththeCongregationoftheClericsRegularof

Saint Paul (Barnabites). It was December 2829, 2001

whenhetooktheentranceexaminationfortheseminary.

Accordingly,Albinopassedtheentranceexaminationand

qualified tojoin the community of theBarnabites Semi

nariansinMarikinaCity. HeenteredtheseminaryonMay

21,2002.HavingstudiedphilosophyatSt.CamillusCollege

SeminaryinMarikina,AlbinowasgraduatedonMarch24,

2007.Hebegan hisNovitiate year in St.Alexander Sauli

Novitiate inMarikinaonMay31,2007andprofessedhis

vows

on

May

31,

2008.

He

now

is

residing

at

the

Saint

Paul

Scholasticate inTagaytayCityandstudiestheologyatthe

DivineWordSchoolofTheology.

HenryG.PabualanLifealwayscomesandgoes.Todaywe

greethelloandtomorrowwebidgood

bye.Asasongsays,Lifeisalwayscom

ingandgoing.Howwonderfultorecall

ourdays inthenovitiatewithFr.Aldo.

Those

days

nourished

our

faith

by

deep

prayerforthenextendeavorofourlife.

Andsoindeedwefinishedournovitiate

successfully as we grew emotionally,

spiritually, and physically. Every corner of the novitiate

witnessed how we grew and how we conquered being

lonelyanddepressed.Weareproudtosaythateverything

wasproductivebecauseofourdeepprayer,meditation,

and guidance by the people used by God as His instru

ments.

Anotherstageofourlivespassed,anotherhistorywe

made, another masterpiece of art we finished, and the

successwemade leadsus toa continuationofwhatwe

have started. This continuationwill bewitnessedby the

newcorners, thenewcorners in theScholasticate.We

are here not to start a new beginning but to continue

whatwehavestartedfromourformationinthenovitiate.

OurtransferfromMarikinawasfullofexcitementandjoy.

Wefeltanewenvironmentofcoldfreshair,andaboveall

thepeoplewhoareaccommodatingandlovinglyawaiting

us.Howwonderfulisthefeelingofbeingwelcomedfrom

thebosomoftheirhearts,onethatcouldfeelthespiritof

belongingness.Ontheotherside,thenewplacebringsus

No. 7 iPaul 12


13/30

In October 2007 I went to Italy to attend theyearly program of all the Barnabite scholasticswho are going to prepare themselves for the sol-emn profession. I went three months ahead ofthe said activity commenced since I needed tostudy the Italian language, the medium of in-struction to be used in communication. I stayedat San Carlo ai Catinari, a parish church admin-istered by the Barnabite Fathers (located at theheart of the old Rome). I was not a lone Filipinothere, since Fr. Michael Sandalo and Bro. Arvin

were there ahead of me. Beside, there was aFilipina working there. Fr. Filippo Lovison, oneof the priests there, was our Father Master. Dur-ing my stay there we had an Italian course givenby Signora Amalia Scafi. Whenever we did nothave a class we helped Fr. Mauro working in theGeneral Archives. I remained there for twomonths.

On the 11th of January, together with Arvinand Fr. Mike, we transferred to the Studentatothe locale of the formation program. During this

month we had an intense Italian course dailyconducted byprofessoressa Daniela.

Our International Family

We started the said program on the 11th ofFebruary, right after the meetings of the provin-cial superiors and formators. We were only 8 atthe beginning. Two came from the south prov-ince of Brazil: Francisco Carlos and Eduardo.Fratel Jos Roberto was a participant from thenorth province of Brazil. Two came from theChilean province, Mauricio and Juan Pablo. Tho-mas Kubista was the lone delegate from Poland.

Lastly, Arvin and I were the representativesfrom the Philippine delegation. Four brothersfrom the pro-province of Africa arrived almost amonth late due to visa problems. They were Em-manuel, Christian, David and Jean.

Fr. Francisco Silva, one of the Assistants Gen-eral, was our Father Master with Fr. MichaelSandalo and Fr. Orlando Manzo, who served ashis assistant formators.

Though we were of diverse race and color,yet we still lived in harmony. We enjoyed the

company of each other wherever we went. Werespected our differences, especially in matters


Italian experiences Iby Jose Nazareno S. Gabato, CRSP

The group of the candidates to the solemn profession at Cremona, in front of the Founders original house


14/30

of culture and custom. It is good since it wid-ened my horizons on how to deal with otherpeople. Moreover, I can attest that race, color,and language are not a hindrance to unity. De-

spite our difference of race and color, we livedlike a band of brothers united in one purpose.Each of us wanted to become a Barnabite, a sonof Paul in the lineage of St. Anthony Ma. Zac-caria.

Our Professors

Most of our professors lived at San Carlo.Everyday we had to travel a piedi from the Stu-

dentato to San Carlo since most of the coursesin the morning were held there. Fr. GuiseppeCagni was our professor for the writings ofthe founder. Fr. Mauro Ragazoni instructed usin the spirituality of the Order. Fr. FilippoLovison taught us the history of theBarnabites. Fr. Giuseppe Ciliberti taught lit-urgy and sacred music, while Fr. Franco Cic-cimarra taught religious life in a canonicalperspective.

We did not only have classes in the morn-

ing but also in the afternoon; however, theseclasses were held at the Studentato. Fr. Gio-vanni Rizzi lectured us on St. Paul and his let-ters. Fr. Francisco Silva guided us to under-stand the Constitutions. Fr. GiuseppeCagnetta, together with dottor Marco Cotognitaught economics. Fr. Luiz Antonio Nasci-mento, the Novice Master in Brazil, stayedwith us for one month teaching about thewritings and constitutions of the founder.

My Calvary

Being a Filipino, I was not accustomed tolive in a temperature below 17 degrees Cel-sius. That is why I suffered a lot during mystay there. Often times I just stayed in myroom because I could not bear the cold out-side. It was painful to the skin. It made my

skin dry and itchy. It made my lips crack andbleed. We started our classes by the month ofFebruary. It was the coldest month during mystay in Rome. I suffered much because of the

daily walk to San Carlo. The distance is a 30-minute walk. This heightened the problemswith my skin.

Aside from being cold, I consider Februaryas my Calvary because it was also the time Ineeded to adjust and get accustomed to theItalian language. Since I am a slow learner, myfirst three months there were not enough tolearn the Italian language. So when we startedour classes I was not able to fully comprehendwhat our professors taught us. My lack of lan-

guage skills easily led me to loose interest andI would have to struggle to stay awake.

My Tabor

My experience of being in Italy has beenvery significant. Aside from learning the cul-ture of the Italians, I also learned the culturesof my colleagues. Moreover, I have alsolearned the richness of the origin and history

of our Congregation. Travelling from the cen-tral part to the south, and from the southern tonorthern part, visiting from one community tothe other, I was able to visualize how our Or-der developed. This is first-hand knowledge.It is not anymore about what my confreres tellme regarding our Congregation in Italy. I wit-nessed it by myself. For this I am so glad tohave been there.

Lastly, I visited the famous places in Italysuch as Rome, Caserta, Pavia, Cremona, Mi-lan, Florence, Padua, etc. I am grateful becauseI believe that there are some Italians who havenot yet visited these places. I did! Most of all, Isaw and attended Masses at the Vatican, thecenter of the faith for Roman Catholics. Indeednot only seeing the Vatican or attending usualMasses, but Masses celebrated by the Popehimself not only once but many times. Viva ilPapa! Viva lItalia! Viva i Barnabiti!



15/30

Eight months have passed. I was in the EternalCity of Rome, staying there and preparing for my

final profession. It was a nice experience in which I

was able to see the disadvantages and advantages of

it to myself.

I should start to relate first the advantages which

for me are unforgettable and a tremendous experi-

ence. It is nice to be in the Eternal City of Rome in

which I personally met the Holy Father. What a

privilege for me, and also attending the holy Masses

he presided. To me this is a very unforgettable ex-

perience for my entire life.The marvelous structure of the churches led me

into amazement of thinking how great God is. He

created those artistic minds and hands, which build

them. What a privilege I had in going to this coun-

try!

Learning many and new things about the Con-

gregation is the best part of it, although there are

some diverse lessons and discoveries I encountered

during my studies and stay there.

How wonderful it was for me to visit the places

connected with our Founder. I felt so touched uponseeing his remains, and the places where he started

the Congregation.

How many places and relics I visited and saw in

Rome, like the Scala Santa, the pieces of holy Cross,

the thorns that formed the crown for Jesus head,

the nails that were used to crucify Jesus. Upon see-

ing those things I was speechless and could only

meditate upon Jesus who became man and gave His

life as a ransom for many.

Seeing the remains of so many Saints made me

think that they were ordinary people like me; butthey were able to reach perfection in doing Gods

will. How lucky those people who live in that coun-

try for they have the real replica of those Servants of

God who gave their best and lives for the sake of the

kingdom!

Now let me count the disadvantages of my stay

in the Eternal City of Rome. The diverse cultures,

traditions, mentalities, foods, and attitudes shocked

me as a Filipino. I felt so out of place with it all. See-ing the situation where my faith developed and peo-

ple regressed on their faith was not a good experi-

ence for me. I experienced a superior attitude to-

ward foreigners and toward other races with differ-

ent color, nose, smell and life style.

Based on what I experienced, I disliked when

they shouted at people as if they were treating them

like animals and not humans. I felt hurt when I

would hear them say that the English-speaking coun-

tries are using the language of the devil. I felt also a

regression of so many things in my life while beingthere, and at the same time a progression of other

things. The Eternal city of Rome is perfectly beauti-

ful and wonderful; but for me there is no place like

home.


Italian experiences IIby Arvin A. Dagalea, CRSP

Jose and Arvin in Assisi with Father General and Fr. Silva


16/30

In this issue we present to you as ourneighbors the FICC Sisters. This Congrega-tion is special to us because of their sincerity inliving their religious vocation by caring for thepoor, the sick, and the needy. The officialname of this Congregation is Figlie dellIm-macolata Concezione della Carit (FICC), butin the Philippines they are known as the

Daughters of the Immaculate Conception ofCharity (DICC).

Those who know the distance between Ta-gaytay and the house of the FICC Sisters inAmadeo, Cavite, could be surprised when wecall them our neighbors. Their house in Ba-nay-banay, Amadeo, Cavite is a 30-minutedrive by car from Tagaytay. However, despitethe distance, we consider them as ourneighbors. We are miles away from them, butin spirit we feel near to each other. When our

community has a special celebration, like afeast day, an ordination, or a solemn profes-sion, the FICC Sisters are constantly present.In like manner, on their special celebrationswe are always there with them. This good ca-maraderie with the Sisters grows deeper after

we worked together in having a medical mis-sion in Mindoro last June 2-7, 2008.

The Congregation of the Daughters of theImmaculate Conception of Charity (FICC) wasfounded by Mother Maria Sara Lona in Salta,Argentina on September 8, 1949 with thecharism of total service to the needy and theyouth of the local Church. Mother Maria Sara

Lona lived as an example of family spiritwhich manifested her simplicity of relation-ship within the community, her cordial friend-liness, and her humble service towards thepoor. Mother Maria Sara Lona, after a life ofwork and prayer, died in Buenos Aires on Oc-tober 2, 1981 in profound inner silence and to-tal abandonment into Gods hands.

Hoping to continue the family spirit ofthe foundress, in 1991 the FICC Sisters came tothe Philippines with the view of attracting

young Filipinas to embrace the mission andcharism of the Congregation. In order to real-ize this purpose, the FICC Sisters started a for-mation house in Paraaque, Metro Manila,naming it in honor to their foundress as theMother Maria Sara Lona Formation House.Several applicants, coming from the differentprovinces, embraced the life of the familyspirit of the Sisters manifested in their hum-ble service towards the poor.

In 2003, the Congregation extended the for-mation house to Amadeo, Cavite with a wishto render themselves sensitive to the needs ofsociety and to be available to the directives ofthe Church by working in those areas andplaces where the society is particularly de-prived.

Presently, after 17 years of their presence inthe Philippines, the Congregation has twocommunities of formation: one formation


O u r N e ig h b o r s

THE DAUGHTERs OF the immaculate

conception of charityby Cirilo B. Coniendo, CRSP


17/30

house in Paraaque City and the novitiatehouse in Amadeo, Cavite. There are already 25Filipina professed Sisters (of whom 10 are per-

petually professed), 5 novices and 1 aspirant.However, the numbers could not measure theenormous works the Sisters have done for thelocal Church where they stay. Most of the Sis-ters are still young and are studying; but, theywork hard in giving hope and inspiration tothe poor.

The community of Amadeo with the ex-ample of Sister Maritza, the Novice Mistressand Superior of the community, works hardin reaching out to the sick people, the young,

and the needy of the town of Amadeo. SisterMaritza said that this year is a providentialblessing for the community of Amadeo. It isprovidential because the community startstwo new apostolic activities. The first newactivity is the clinic, opened for check-upsand health consultation, especially for thepoor and the sick every Saturday and Sun-day. Through the clinic, the Sisters are able totake good care of the sufferings of the sick.This activity enables them to carry out their

hospital work in the complete sense with thecooperation of doctors, nurses and special-ized technicians from other countries. Thesecond new activity is the day care center.This activity is also very providential to theSisters. Although it is still at the beginning ofits operation (June 14, 2008), they have al-ready 85 children coming from differentbarangays in Amadeo. In this situation, thecommunity encounters difficulty in accom-

modating all the children for they have onlyone classroom which can accommodate forchildren. So, they divided the group into 4classes. This means an additional effort forthe novices who are responsible for the daycare center. They will work eight hours aday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.Despite this hardship, the Sisters are enthusi-astic and very energetic in teaching and en-tertaining the children.

These two new activities complement theprevious activity of the community which isthe orphanage. Presently, the orphanage has a

total of 25 children, mostly coming from thestreet in Metro Manila. The orphanage acceptsthe orphaned children from the age of 4-10.Some of the children are presently studying inthe public school nearby the convent. All theseactivities are significant for the Sisters.Through these activities the FICC Sisters mani-fest their dedication and humble service to theLord through the education of children andthe caring of the sick.

While asking Sister Maritza about her un-

ending concern towards the sick, the poor, andchildren, she answered mentioning the twopeople that influenced her untiring work to-wards the poor. The lives of Mother Teresa ofCalcutta and Pope John Paul II inspired her inthe apostolic work which she was trying tocommunicate to her novices and to the rest ofthe community. Sister Maritza teaches heryoung Sisters to trust in the providence of theLord in times of difficulty and hardship intheir apostolate, for the Lord will provide

them with everything they will need.For this service to the Lord, by caring for

the sick and the youth, you are precious to thelocal community of Amadeo. And, because ofyour charism, you are always the neighborof the poor, the sick, and the needy.


The FICC on Mission at Mindoro


18/30

No. 3 iPaul 18

Filipino historians say that the people living inBohol are descendants of the last group of inhabi-tants who settled in the Philippines called thePin-tados (the tattooed ones). The Boholanos areconsidered as the remnants of the Pintados wholived in the Philippines. Indeed, before the Span-iards arrived in Bohol, the people there had al-ready their own unique way of living. They hadtheir own culture which distinguished them fromother nearby provinces within Central Visayas.

They had also a sort of system of writing but mostof the materials they used were perishable likeleaves and bark. They had also their own dialectwhich is quite similar to that of the nearby islandswithin the vicinity of Bohol.

The name Bohol is derived from the nameof the barrio of Bo-ol, a barangay found in Tagbi-laran City which was among the first placestoured by the Magellan expedition. In fact, histo-rians believe that one of the ships of Magellan wasburned in Bohol after the great Lapu-lapu de-feated and Magellan was killed on the island of

Mactan in Cebu province. After the tragic death ofMagellan, in 1565 Miguel Lopez de Legazpi ar-rived at the town of Jagna, one of the eastern mu-nicipalities of Bohol. With the arrival of MiguelLopez de Legazpi in the island province of Bohol,he brought the Catholic religion to the island andhe made a remarkable blood compact with thefamous Chiefs Sikatuna and Sigala in a small vil-lage near the capital city of the province. Thisblood compact brings the meaning of being bloodbrothers and ended the hostility that had strickenthe province. This particular event is still cele-brated today every year in the month of June withthe name of the Sandugo Festival where the Bo-holanos and visitors flock to Tagbilaran City justto commemorate the blood compact event be-tween Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Sikatuna.

However, during the Spanish rule in Bohol,there were two revolts that mark the history of thebravery of the Boholanos. First, the Tamblot up-rising in 1621 led by a brave native priest or Ba-baylon. And in 1744 to 1829, the second uprising

emerged through the leadership of Francisco Da-gohoy, called the Dagohoy Rebellion. The rebel-lion of Francisco Dagohoy is considered as thelongest revolt recorded in the annals of Philippinehistory.

At present, the island province of Bohol is one

of the famous tourist destinations in the Philip-pines because of its historic, wonderful pano-rama, and good white beaches. Foreigners usuallyvisit the Blood Compact Site, Momo and AlohaBeach in Panglao, Bohol Beach Club, the Choco-late Hills in Carmen, and the Hinagdanan Cave inDauis. Other tourist attractions include the Mag-aso Falls, Badiang Spring, Balicasag Island, Pa-milacan Island, Punta Cruz and the river boatrides to Busay Falls. Bohol is well known by theunique animal called Tarsier. On the other hand,Bohol also is the home province of the fourthPresident of the Republic of the Philippines, Car-los P. Garcia (1957-1960), who was born in themunicipality of Talibon.

Lastly, the Island province of Bohol has itsown unique history that brings color to the life ofall Boholanos. Many people consider the provinceof Bohol as the paradise in Central Visayas whereyou can find the beauty of nature and the lovingfaces of the people who live there. Accordingly,the Boholanos are people with great hospitality.

No. 7 iPaul 18

O ur P laces o f O r i g i n

the island paradise province of boholby Jay L. Patulin, CRSP

The famous Chocolate Hills


19/30

HistoryoftheParishbyThomasFederickS.Tabada,CRSP

During Fr. Felix de Iguzquizas time as Superior

Regular of the Mission, the Capuchins were able to

buy a small piece of land in Tagaytay in October,

1938. On this lot a small wooden house was built

to serve as a rest house for the Capuchins who

needed a respite from their missionary labors. In

the month of June of 1939, the Capuchins, seeing

the needs of the people, asked the permission fromthe Archbishop of Manila to open a public oratory

so that the people of Tagaytay might take part in

the liturgical services that the friars were render

ing. The Archbishop not only granted the permis

sion to build the oratory but also suggested to es

tablish a parish in the newly created City of Tagay

tay. The creation of the City in Tagaytay was

signed by the late President Manuel L. Quezon in

1939. It was the year when the Capuchins became

a Custody (probably an equivalent meaning to a

Province) in the Philippines. The superior is called

Custos or simply Guardian. The City of Tagaytaytook slices of the municipalities of Talisay and

Nasugbu in Batangas, of Cabuyao in Laguna, of Si

lang and Amadeo in Cavite. At present, there are

35 barangays that comprise the sole parish of Our

Lady of Lourdes in Tagaytay City.

It was in the year 1939 that the Capuchins ac

cepted the offer of the Archbishop of Manila since

Tagaytay had no Catholic church or a chapel. Im

mediately they processed the necessary require

ments. Once completed, the decree of the erection

of the new parish was issued on June 27, 1940.

The parish was solemnly inaugurated on August 4,

1940 with the Spanish Fr. Rogelio de Bedoa as

first parish priest.

In 1941 the Japanese occupied the Philippines.

It was during this time that Fr. Rogelio and his as

sistant were practically forced to leave the place

for a few months. However, the Japanese sent an

official letter to the Archbishop of Manila asking

him to remove a foreigner as a parish priest. After

studying the matter, the Archbishop together with

the Custos of the Capuchins decided to name a Fili

pino diocesan priest as parish priest. The parish

priest, however, soon left the parish because of

the discouragement of the miserable condition of

the place. Thus the parish was abandoned for

many months until the Capuchin Custos himself,

Fr. Florenzio de Lezaun, decided to take care of

the parish sometime in 1942 until May of 1943

when Fr. Roman de Vera was appointed as pastor

of the parish. But in September of the same year,

Fr. Vera was constrained due to illness. It was then

that a unique arrangement for the care of the par

ish was made between the Archbishop and the

Capuchins. Fr. Evanglista de Ochovi was named

parish priest by the Capuchins and the Archbishop

of Manila in turn also named other three priests as

assistant pastors, with all the necessary faculties,

who would take care on a rotation basis until such

time that the situation could be normalized. The

situation was stabilized during the American occu

pation.

A chronicle of those years gave a report of the

struggles and difficulties of the parish priest in the

ministry. These difficulties were caused by the

consequences brought by war, the lack of commu

nications with the other barangays and the lack of

the religious formation of the people. Thus, the

main work of the parish priest then was to teach

catechism to the people in the barangays, in public

schools, visiting families, and administering the

sacraments.


K n o w in g T a ga y t a y

our lady of Lourdes parish


20/30

In 2002, a new building was erected due to the

increasing number of parishioners of the parish

and had its dedication in February 2008 with

Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle D.D. as celebrant. The

new church building is relatively bigger than the

old. It can accommodate 2000 parishioners at each

mass. The parish has 6 masses on every Sunday

and 1 mass on weekdays. The old church serves

now as a chapel where (oftentimes) baptisms,

weddings, and funerals are held.

The life of the parish has developed smoothly

and is directed to answering the needs of the peo

ple through a constant periodic spiritual attention

to the barangays. The work is concretized in cate

chetical instruction given in all public schools of

the city with the help of the Capuchins seminari

ans, religious brothers and sisters, and lay catechists. Catechetical sessions are also conducted

every Saturday by Capuchin seminarians at desig

nated barangays and the Mass is celebrated in all

barangays at least once a month; but, some baran

gays have Mass every Sunday. The present parish

priest is Fr. Sergio Arenga, OFMCap. Thus, the Our

Lady of Lourdes Parish is continually giving its

wholehearted service to the parishioners and con

tinually affecting change in the lives of the people

through constant attention in addressing their

spiritual needs as well as their social aspect.

SOURCES: 50th Anniversary of the Capuchins

(1941 1991)and KapatirangKapuchino.

InterviewwiththeParishPriestbyIsfridusSyukur,CRSP

TheSaint Paul Scholasticate iswithintheterritoryofOurLadyofLourdesParish,Tagaytay.This

articleistheresultofourinterviewwiththeparish

priest.Whetheritwaswrongtimingornot,butthe

firstattemptofmyinterviewwithFr.Serge,thepar

ishpriestofOurLadyofLourdesParish,wasavery

funnyone.OnWednesday,June11,2008,around8

a.m.,Bro.Thomasand IsetoutforLourdesParish.

Before9a.m.wearrivedattheparish.Aswewere

waitingfor theparishpriest, therewere also cou

ples(thosewhoaregoingtoreceivethesacrament

ofMatrimony)whocamefortheirinterview.Every

bodywas curious ifBro.Thomasand Iwouldalso

getmarriedsinceourpurposewasalso tohavean

interviewwiththeparishpriest.AndsotheDeacon

jokinglysaid,Iamsorrybutwehavenotlegalized

same sex marriage in this parish. Everybody

laughed.Afterawhile theparishpriest showedup

but couldnot entertainusand sohemade anap

pointmentat4p.m.onthesameday.Thefollowing

istheinterviewwithFr.Serge.

Howlonghaveyoubeeninreligiouslife,Father?

Fr.Serge:I have been 32 years in religious life.I made my solemn profession in 1978; and I was

ordained to the priesthood on April 4, 1982. So I

am 26 years in priesthood.



21/30

Itsquiet long time thatyouhavebeen in reli

gious lifeandpriesthood.Areyouhappywithyour

vocation,Father?

Fr. Serge: Of course I am happy, otherwise Iwould not be here; I am very happy.

Afteryourordination,Father,wereyouassigned

immediately here in this parish or were you as

signedtoanotherplace?

Fr.Serge:I was not assigned immediately here.For one year I was in Caboya, Laguna. Afterwards,

19821985, for the first time I was assigned as the

parish priest of this parish. I actually had a lot of

assignments. I have been assigned to different min

istries and places. 19851988 I was sent to Papua

New Guinea as a missionary; 19881989 I was as

signed as an assistant novice master in Baguio;

19891990 I became the assistant parish priest ofSt. Anthony of Padua, and as a campus minister of

Lourdes school in Quezon City, etc. and now I am

here again in this parish. Sooner or later I will be

sent to the Middle East for my new assignment.

Father,youmentionedthatyouhadbecomethe

parishpriestof thisparish in19821985,sothis is

yoursecondtimetobetheparishpriesthere,when

didyourGuardianassignyoubackhere?

Fr.Serge:Oh two years ago, that was in 2006.Upon knowing that you were assigned back

here,whatwasyourinitialreaction,Father?

Fr. Serge: At first I was hesitant but I dealtwith different ministries and apostolates which ledme to appreciate the place. I like the place and it is

not difficult for me because I know the people and

the place. Besides, if you want to grow, then you

have to take the assignment wholeheartedly and

be accountable for it. In this parish every Sunday

or even everyday, you deal with different audi

ences and that helps you to interact and associate

with people. Moreover, within the territory of this

parish there are plenty of congregations (sisters

and seminaries), men and women. And the people

are very supportive and willing to learn. Now I amnot only celebrating Mass here but I also celebrate

Mass in Manila, every week I have Mass there. It is

not difficult for me, madali langpumuntaMaynila

(it is easy to go to Manila).

Itseemsthatyouareathomeandhappytobe

theparishpriesthere.Youhavebeen inthisparish

since2006. You have encountered a lot of experi

encesandproblems,Isuppose.Isthereanyproblem

thatseemstohappeneveryyear?

Fr. Serge: No, I do not find any problem because I am very easy to adjust. And I have this kind

of missionary spirit. This missionary spirit is a way

of adjusting myself to the people. Mind you, you

have to adjust with the people and not the people

adjust to you. Wherever I was and am and will be

assigned, being flexible is very important. It depends on how you open up yourself to the people. I

dont have problems with them, but I dont know if

they have problems with me

Thatsgreat,Father. AndIalsoagreewiththat.

As a parish priest, what do you wish this parish

shouldbe,Imeanyourvisionaboutthisparish?

Fr.Serge:We have a new formulated vision andmission for the parish. Our mission is as a commu

nity of believers through the guidance of the Blessed

Virgin Mary; and then lay empowerment; that is, the

people should not be dependent on priests because

the parish priest keeps on changing. Sometimes thepriest serves only a year or two years. Our vision is

based on the vision of the diocese of Imus. Actually,

both the mission and vision of the parish are an

chored on the visionmission of the diocese. This is

important so that both the parish and the diocese

walk towards the same goal. In fact, the programs of

the diocese are implemented in all parishes, of

course with some adaptations according to the

situations and needs of certain parish.


F r . S e r g e a t S P S o n J u l y 2 3 , 2 0 0 6


22/30

How doyou achieve the visionmission of the

parish,Father?Doyouorganizesomeactivities?

Fr. Serge: Oh yes. We have a lot of activitiesand those activities are the developments of the

activities of the diocese. In other words, we developthe ministries and apostolates which they call the

apostolado of the diocese. We base our activities on

the apostolado of the diocese. We have activities in

the month of December, during Fiestas, during Holy

Week, FloresdeMayoin the month of May. So there

are a lot of activities going on. And there are also

seminars and catechesis going on. There is the pil

grim image of the Blessed Mother, that is the im

age of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be brought to a

certain place (barangay) and it stays there for three

days and nights. On the same occasion, the organiz

ers organize a seminar, catechism, or Bible sharing

and it depends upon them what topic they would

like to discuss or share. I think it is also a way of

evangelizing the people.

Inyourownevaluation,Father,arethoseactivi

tieshelpfultoattainyourgoal?

Fr.Serge:I think that they are helpful but it isstill initial and we have still a lot to do. We have to

work hard and keep busy for souls.

Youmeantosay,Father,thatyouarenotlimit

ingyourselfonlytothoseactivitiesbutyouareopen

toanyactivitiesforthebettermentofthefaithful?

Fr.Serge:Absolutely yes; in fact, the programof the diocese regarding the Basic Ecclesial Com

munity (BEC) will soon be implemented in this

parish. And still there are other incoming activities

to be carried out in this parish. We have to be crea

tive so that our faith will be nourished by prayers

and activities.

Sinceyouaretheparishpriest,and Ithinkyou

spendmoretimeintheparishprogramsandactivi

ties,doesitaffectyourcommunitylife?

Fr.Serge: I dont think it affects my community life. It depends on how you look it. You are areligious first before you became a pastor. In fact,

religious life helps you to become a good pastor. Of

course people will demand you to go here and

there, to attend to their spiritual needs, but you

have to keep a balance. I dont find it hard to at

tend my community activities like community

prayers, local chapters, fraternity outings and oth

ers. Besides, we have schedules already for each

month, from day one up to day thirtieth of the

month. At the beginning of each month we sit

down and discuss our schedules and appoint

ments. This is the reason why we do not accept

weddings appointed a week or two weeks before.

It has to be a month before.Since you mention weddings, how many wed

dingsdoyouusuallyofficiateeachmonth?

Fr.Serge:It depends on what month, becauseeach month varies. The average is more than

twentyfive weddings each month. But the most

wedding celebrations take place in the month of

December. It reaches 70 to 90 weddings. Mostly

the couples are from outside Tagaytay; they are

from Manila, Baguio, Zamboanga, Ilocos, even from

abroad, especially when a couple whose fiance is

from abroad. We have already booked a wedding

for 2010.

Father,yousaidthatyournextassignmentisin

theMiddleEast,areyoureadyforthat?

Fr. Serge: Of course as a missionary I amready. Though it will be very difficult because you

have to travel miles and miles just to celebrate the

Mass but that would be a nice and great experi

ence. I will be there not to convert the Muslims but

to be with the Catholic communities. We have to

be ready wherever and whenever God wants us to

go. So I will be there to make sure that those

Catholics will always remain steadfast in their

faith and will not be influenced by whatever relig

ion or movements that will destroy their faith.

Father,thisismylastquestion,Iamfromamis

sionary congregation.SomedayImaybeamission

ary likeyou. Wouldyou mind leaving me with a

pieceofadvice?

Fr.Serge: Well, you should have a missionaryspirit; that is, you have to be ready to go wherever

you are sent. And you have to be with the people,

be inculturated to the place and culture in which

you are. Learn the local language because it is the

door to understanding your people. And above all,listen and be aware of the promptings of the Holy

Spirit within you. Remember, the Spirit blows

wherever it wills. Be flexible and be open to all

people and to any situations. Dont forget to pray.

Thankyou,Father,foryouradviceandforgiv

ingusyour time.Wewishyouall thebest inyour

newassignmentandGodbless.

Fr. Serge: Youre welcome and good luck inyour studies.



23/30

No. 7 iPaul 23

Lord,makemeaninstrumentofyourlove(St.FrancisofAssisi).

TheplanehadalmostlandedattheCagayanDomesticAirportwhen I sawdifferent sceneryunlikebefore.And I said tomyself that something isdifferenthere!Nevertheless,nothing isunusual whenever I take my vacation in ourprovince. But this annual routine andmindsetalters when opportunities, and most impor

tantly,

when

the

mighty

hands

of

the

Holy

Spirit

begintoenlivenonespersonalityandpersonasatruesoldierofChrist.

I arrivedhome for avacationonMarch 24,2008andafewdayslaterIwasaskedforafavorby some teachers of the Kinoguitan NationalHighSchoolTESDA(actuallymyAlmaMater)togive a recollection to around 80parents of thegraduating college students.Actually, itwas atwodayspiritualactivity,March2728.

At the first offer of the formal invitation Iwashesitant to accept for the reason that I am

unworthy,likeJeremiahorMoseswithanequalalibiasintheBibleaccount.ButintheendIaccepted itwithallhumility, full trust,andvigorto give something to theparents of the graduates.Nervousness,andmixedfeelingsofunworthiness andmistakesdidnotpushme towardstheedgeofbeingspeechlessbutIevenwentbeyondthelimitofwhatwasexpected.Myexperiencewaslikeacocoonwhereinthereisstruggle,uncertainty, and even trepidation for the factthat I have countless shortcomings. However,

believing that theHolySpiritwillworkbyandinme,everythingvanishes.Hence, therecollection was all about family values and the roletheybring to theChurch.Therewerealso talksoversome interesting issuesofhuman lifesuchas: euthanasia,drugabuse,abortion,and artificial contraception that greatly break Filipinofamilyvalues.

Sanctuario de Padre Pio, a nonprofitable organizationlocatedinBalingoan,MisamisOrien

talofferedasuitable,serenearomafortheculminatingMass officiatedby the parish priest, together with the students who graduated andtheirparents.AdministratorsandteachersoftheKNHSTESDA schooljoined also in thewholeevent. Itwas a nice experience to share somethinginservicefortheLord.

Thisofferofservicedidnot endherewhenourparishpriestaskedmetogivearecollectionandworkshopstotheoldandnewaltarservers

in

our

parishHoly

Child

Parish.

I

said

to

my

self, This is another challenge. So I did nothesitatetoacceptthefavorableofferforitwouldbe a learning experienceonmypart.TheHolySpirit isjustusingme asGods instrument, anearthen vessel for the people.WithmewasmyfellowBarnabiteseminarianwho isanassociateintheCollegehelpingtofacilitateforthesuccessof theonedayrecollectionandworkshops.Therecollectionwas set forApril 19 frommorninguntillateintheafternoon.

Thewholedayactivitygavemean impres

sion thatnothingcouldeverbuyourhappinessexpressedinservicewithoutcountingthecost.Iwas able to impart my knowledge in simpletermsthattheywouldbeabletounderstandandit refreshed, and updated my stock of knowledge regarding the sacraments aswell.All indeedwas theresultoftheHolySpirits inspirationandgraceuponthoseforwhomShewishestobeaninstrument.

As Iarrivedat theManilaDomesticAirportonApril25 in theafternoon, Ihadsomanyre

flections and realizations.After this onemonthofvacation,Irealizedthattherearestilla lotofthings tobe done and amission tobe accomplished,anewexperience to rejoicewithandanewparadigmoflifetobeset.

Lastly,mustnotIforgetthatIamjustamerecreatureofGod.IamnothingcomparedtoHim.I,onmypart,havenothingtobeproudofortoacceptany earthlyhonorsandpraises, for I amjustanearthenvessel,aninstrumentofGodslove.

L e a r n i n g E x p e r i e n c e s d u r i n g V a c a t i o n

Earthen vesselsby Jonathan G. Ramoso, CRSP


24/30

Fr. Roans Thanksgiving Mass

Rev. Fr. Roan Ma. Aborque, a native of Cari-

gara Leyte, celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass last

March 25, 2008 in Holy Cross Parish. Rev. Fr. Gio-

vanni Ma. Scalese, CRSP, Superior of the Saint

Paul Scholasticate, Rev. Fr. Jecker Ma. Luego,

CRSP, Rev. Fr. Ferndinand Ma. Dagcuta, CRSP

(who was ordained with him), Rev. Fr. Jimmy

George Ma. Anastacio, CRSP, and some students

from the Saint Paul Scholasticate and the Saint

Anthony Ma. Zaccaria Seminary attended the

celebration. Some former Barnabite seminarians

were also present for that occasion.

The Saint Paul Scholasticate delegates arrived

in Carigara the day before the Thanksgiving

Mass. On that very day the Barnabite delegates

paid their courtesy visit to the parish priest, Rev.

Msgr. Wilfredo V. Alejan, HP. We made a little

tour around the old church of Holy Cross, which

is a Spanish inspired structure constructed dur-

ing the Spanish period. We visited and shareddinner with Fr. Roans family after we retired to

the house assigned to us.

On March 25, 2008, the Solemnity of the An-

nunciation of the Lord, the huge church of the

Holy Cross Parish was all packed with friends,

family and co-parishioners of Fr. Roan to cele-

brate with him the Thanksgiving Mass of his

priesthood. Several priests from the Archdiocese

of Palo especially those who came from that par-

ish, were present along with the Barnabite

priests.

The Thanksgiving Mass started at nine

oclock in the morning. It was enriched by the

Parish Choir and some Musician coming from

Imus Cavite. The Choir sung the Missa de Angelis

chants mixed with some modern liturgical songs.

The psalm was sung by a former Barnabite semi-

narian. The Homily was delivered by Fr. Jecker,

who knows the dialect (Waray-waray) of that

place. At the end of the Mass the long queue of

people made their way to receive the blessing

from Fr. Roan.

The reception followed in the Holy Cross Col-

lege covered court, just beside the parish church.

The reception catered native delicacies, sea

foods, and many more delicious menus. Aside

from the delicious food, the place was also pre-

pared beautifully; but, above all, what fascinatedthe visitors were the hospitality of the people

and their ready smiles. A short program fol-

lowed, where speeches from family and friends

were delivered.

The next few days were spent in visiting his-

torical and tourist sites in Leyte. The group vis-

ited the beautiful Palo Cathedral. Palo was cre-

ated a Diocese in 1937 and was created Archdio-

cese in 1982 with four suffragan dioceses: Cal-

bayog, Borongan, Catarman and Naval. Next

stop was the famous San Juanico Bridge a 2.16

kilometer bridge connecting Samar and Leyte.

The group proceeded to the Historical General

Douglas McArthur Park in Palo Leyte. This park is

a shrine that commemorates the landing of

American Gen. Douglas McArthur and was built

in Red Beach Palo, Leyte. The last stop was the

Santo Nio Shrine and Heritage Museum located

at Real Street in Tacloban City. This Museum

No. 3 iPaul 24

NEWS, EVENTS, AT IBA PA

No. 7 iPaul 24


25/30

houses the collections of Marcoses featuring the

image of the Holy Child by Fernando Amorsolo,

paintings of the 14 Stations of the Cross and the

Filipino legend ofMalakas at Maganda (Strong

and Beautiful), the two famous characters of thelegend of origin of humanity in the Philippines.

The visit to Carigara Leyte was a very enjoy-

able one. It was not all about the Thanksgiving

Mass but also about experiencing the life of the

people there, their religiosity and hospitality. The

Barnabites participated in the Eucharistic cele-

bration in that parish until the day they left and

bade farewell.

The Barnabite Community is very thankful to the

family of Fr. Roan for their hospitality and friendship.Above all the Barnabites joined them in thanking

God for the gift of vocation to religious life and to

the priesthood for one of them, Rev. Fr. Roan Ma.

Aborque, CRSP (Joseph M. Bernales, CRSP).

Fr. Ferdinands Thanksgiving Mass

Banners posted everywhere: Congratulations

Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Ma. Saligumba Dagcuta,

CRSP! On April 6, the people of Balingasag

joined together in the Thanksgiving Mass of Rev.

Fr. Ferdinand Ma. Dagcuta, CRSP held at St. Ritas

Parish at 9 a.m.

The Eucharistic celebration was officiated by

Fr. Ferdinand and concelebrated as well by his fel-

low Barnabite confreres: Rev. Fr. Giovanni Scalese,

CRSP, Philippine Delegate Superior, Rev. Fr. Cirilo

Coniendo, CRSP and Rev. Fr. Roan Cipriano

Aborque, CRSP, a newly ordained and companion

of Fr. Ferdinand in the years of formation. The

friends-priests of the celebrant from the Archdio-cese of Cagayan de Oro also concelebrated: Rev.

Fr. Nilo Aguiman, SSJV, the parish priest of St.

Ritas Parish, Rev. Fr. Precious Cabunoc, SSJV and

Rev. Fr. Demly Valmores, SSJV.

Rev. Celso Bagabaldo, SJBP, a religious dea-

con, assisted the celebrant while Fr. Demly Val-

mores gave a short and yet heartfelt-humorous

homily. He had an impression of Fr. Ferdinand

that there is always a transformation of ones life

either physically or spiritually that could attract

people. But, he pointed out, the precautions it

brings in which it can be a trap for one to fail in

the priestly ministry. Fr. Demly challenged him tobe always sincere, now and in his future ministry.

Hence, some of the Barnabite scholastics com-

ing from the different provinces had also taken

part of the celebration and some Angelic Sisters

of St. Paul and Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)

as well. The CFLA choir of the parish led the sing-

ing that resounded even outside the Church.

After the Mass, St. Ritas College Auditorium

was the main reception area for the lunch as well

as for a program. The simple and yet deliciousdelicacy of Balingasag and of the different foods

filled the hungry stomach and savored the kind-

ness and generosity of the Balingasagnon. The

High School batch of Fr. Ferdinand, batch 1994,

had prepared a short but meaningful program

with the help of SRC Principal, Sr. Adeliada Huiso,

RVM. So, while the people, guests, and family of

Fr. Ferdinand ate their lunch they enjoyed watch-

ing every detail of the presentation and smiling

faces were visible. The program ended in the

early afternoon and the people of Balingasag

were delighted and looked forward for another

celebration of such kind. Who will be the next?

Next time around! Congratulations Rev. Fr. Ferdi-

nand Ding Dagcuta, CRSP! Kumbatiand Ma-

buhay!!! (Jonathan G. Ramoso, CRSP)

No. 7 iPaul 25


26/30

No. 3 iPaul 26

13 de Mayo

May 13 was one of the busiest days this sum-

mer. In the morning the brothers renewed the

vows and in the evening the procession of theBlessed Virgin of Fatima took place. This day also

marks the opening of the Monthly Rosary every

thirteenth of the month from May through Octo-

ber, commemorating the six apparitions of the

Blessed Virgin Mary to the three little children of

Fatima, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and to their

cousin Lucia de Jesus dos Santos (Sr. Maria Lucia

of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart). Francisco

and Jacinta died a few years after the apparition

April 4, 1919 and February 20, 1920 respectivelyand they are honored by the Church as Blessed.

Lucia died on February 13, 2005. The cause of

her beatification was approved this year.

Prior to this celebration there were some pre-

liminaries that took over. We communicated to

the Barangay Authorities the upcoming event

that would take place on some roads of Barangay

San Jose (Calamba Road, Purok 162 and Purok

163). The Barangay Lady Captain, Hon. Cecelia

Bayas, promised to support the said activity.

Some scholars of the Tahanang Mapag-aruga niPadre Semeria got involved in the preparations

too. They made the colorful bamboo lanterns that

were used during the procession.

The procession was a

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iPaul no. 7 - Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

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