S T F N E W S L E T T E RSTUDIUM THEOLOGIAE FOUNDATION, INC. (PHILIPPINES) • ISSUE TWENTY THREE

The image of the newly beatified Álvaro del Portillo was unveiled after H.E. Angelo Cardinal Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, solemnly declared the formula of beatification. (Photo from www.manilatimes.net)

BISHOP ÁLVARO BEATIFIED IN MADRIDTens of Thousands Celebrate Life of St. Josemaría Escrivá’s Successor

(from www.zenit.org)

The beatification of Álvaro del Portillo, the first successor of St. Josemaría as head of Opus Dei, took place on Saturday (September 27, 2014)

before a massive crowd, in a ceremony presided over by the delegate of Pope Francis, Cardinal Angelo Amato, who was accompanied by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, emeritus archbishop of Madrid and the bishop prelate of Opus Dei, Javier Echevarría.

The ceremony began with the Vicar General of Opus Dei, Fernando Ocáriz reading a message sent by Pope Francis. The Holy Father pointed out that “Blessed Álvaro del Portillo teaches us that simplicity and ordinary life are a sure path to holiness”, reminding everyone that Blessed Álvaro “went to many countries, fostering projects of evangelization without being inhibited by difficulties, moved only by his love for God and for his brothers and sisters. Whoever is very immersed in God knows how to be close to other people”.

This issue of the STF Newsletter is dedicated in memory of Bishop Álvaro del Portillo who has just been raised to the altar of the Blessed on September 27, 2014. The establishment of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (PUSC) in Rome, Italy and the International Seminaries of Sedes Sapientiae (Rome) and Bidasoa (Pamplona, Spain) is attributed to him who left no stones unturned to fulfill the desires of St. Josemaría Escrivá. The Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. and its project, the Theological Centrum, was subsequently formed to support priests and seminarians from the Philippines sent by their respective Ordinaries for studies in PUSC and the University of Navarre in Spain.

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

Immediately following the solemn act of beatification by Cardinal Amato at 12:24 h an image of the new blessed was revealed to the faithful. His feast day will be celebrated on May 12 every year in the diocese to be determined by the Holy See.

Another key moment was the transfer of the relics of Álvaro del Portillo to the altar, borne by the Ureta Wilson family, whose son José Ignacio was miraculously cured thanks to the intercession of the new blessed.

The universal nature of the new blessed was manifested by the presence of hundreds of thousands of faithful from more than 80 countries and especially the participation of 18 cardinals and more than 150 bishops from all over the world.

Among those on the front row at the ceremony were (continued on the next page)

(continued from previous page)

more than 200 people with some of form of disability or the other, as well as representatives of many social initiatives promoted by the new blessed, particularly in Africa and in Latin America. There were also many families and some Spanish and international civil authorities.

From very early in the morning, 1,600 big buses and a bus shuttle service took the more than 300,000 people from the Metro stations to the 185,000 square meters of Valdebebas. They were thus able to wait for the start of the ceremony watching some audio-visual programs on 26 giant screens.

They prepared themselves spiritually either by praying in the 13 chapels available or by receiving the sacrament of penance in one of the 80 confessionals spread throughout the area. (...)

The huge turnout of the faithful was marked by piety and the joy of singing that was accompanied by the 200-voice choir of the last World Youth Day. 1,200 priests distributed communion in Valdebebas.

At the end of the celebration, Monsignor Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei spoke some words of gratitude to God, to the Church and to Pope Francis, as well as to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, to Cardinal Amato and to the Archdiocese of Madrid, the choir, the volunteers and the media, all of who have made possible the ceremony that has been followed by many throughout the world.

The prelate continued: “the raising of Álvaro del Portillo to the altars reminds us anew of the universal call to holiness, proclaimed with great fervour by the Second Vatican Council”. He also made reference to the “joy that St. Josemaría Escrivá would undoubtedly feel in seeing this most faithful son of his proposed as an intercessor and model for all the faithful”.

Monsignor Echevarría asked those present to pray in a special way “for our brothers and sisters who suffer persecution for their faith, including martyrdom in different parts of the world”.

In his closing remarks Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco wished to point out the bond that exists between Álvaro del Portillo and the city of Madrid. “Not only for historical reasons but also because of the influence which his life and writings have had on the hearts of so many faithful of this Archdiocese. His footprints are also felt through the spiritual and social good done by the very many initiatives that owe their inspiration to him”. (...) n

“Faith keeps Yolanda survivors going” — priest

published on the CBCP News Website, November 3, 2014

Prayers, faith in God and community support is keeping Typhoon Yolanda survivors going, a Catholic priest said.

Almost a year after typhoon Yolanda devastated San Joaquin village of Palo, Leyte and claimed hundreds of lives, parish priest Fr. Kelvin Apurillo said many people are still reeling in pain especially those who lost family members and relatives.

“This is really very difficult. But because of their faith, they are trying to move on. Faith keeps these people going,” he said.

Right in front of the San Joaquin Parish Church is one of the biggest mass graves with 371 Yolanda victims.

The 37-year old priest said that many people would always visit the graves of their loved ones, say a prayer, offer flowers and light candles everyday.

After the onslaught of the typhoon, many people also took refuge in the parish church converted to a disaster relief center.

“Faith and this church was the first refuge of many people. For several weeks and months, all life was here,” Apurillo said.

The priest added that Masses also helped in the recovery and made a real difference in the lives of many survivors.

“Spiritually, I think a lot of people we’ve recovered already because of the Mass. That’s why many people did not leave the Church,” said Apurillo.

On Nov. 8, a procession and a Mass will highlight the commemoration of the one year anniversary of Yolanda in the parish.

Dubbed as “Panundom” (remembering), the activity will start as early as 4:00am until 4:00pm.

“The time is very symbolic for us because we started to feel the very strong wind at 4am and we finished to count dead bodies at 4pm,” Apurillo said.

“Panumdom is not just a commemoration of the awful things that happened but also a thanksgiving for another chance to experience life for all of us who survived,” he said. “It’s not just to remember our struggles but also the love of the people for the Church and our love for them.” n

Editor’s Note: Fr. Kelvin Apurillo is an alumnus of the University of Navarre, Spain (2003).

Theological Centrum, in collaboration with various diocesan seminaries in the Philippines held its annual Seminar for Seminarians. 29 seminarians from

different dioceses such as Tarlac, Palo, Cebu, Calbayog, Masbate and others attended. “The Seminarian in the Year of the Laity” served as this year’s theme.

On May 14, seminarians arrived and assembled at Theological Centrum in Mandaluyong City. From there, they rode a bus for Lipa City where they started to know and befriend each other as they shared their different experiences from their respective dioceses and seminaries. The bonding continued during the 3 day seminar.

The seminar schedule includes conferences, talks, get together, daily Mass, prayers, meditations, confessions, a pilgrimage and sports fest. The 3-day conference focused on the identity and role of the laity in the Church. The speakers, fully aware of their role and mission in the Church and in the world are lay people who are actively doing apostolate to their fellow lay. Dr. Jose Sandejas, one of the speakers, talked about the importance of “Husband and Wife Relationship and the Upbringing of the Children.” Atty. Gig Añover shared “the Role and Place of the Laity in the Church and in the World.” Mr. Arnold Morfe tackled his apostolate to young men in Dualtech, a technical vocational School. Dr. Antonio Torralba, a professor in the University of Asia and Pacific, talked about “Family and Family Life.”

During the conference, the speakers highlighted that the ‘lay

are tasked by God to work in the temporal order in order to spread the Kingdom of God.’ The role of the laity is to transform the world from within through the sanctification of their ordinary life – their economic, social and family life. A lay person encounters God through ordinary living. The speakers echoed St. Josemaría Escrivá’s teaching on sanctification of ordinary life: “Heaven and earth seem to merge my sons and daughters on the horizon. But where they truly meet is in your heart when you sanctify your everyday lives” (Homily Passionately Loving the World, October 8, 1967).

Priests of the Prelature of Opus Dei taught the four cardinal virtues to the participants during the talks and meditations. On May 15, second day of the seminar, the seminarians together with Fr. Jimmy Liao, SThD, the Director of Theological Centrum, went to Granja Sports Complex where the sports fest was held. Afterwards the pilgrimage to the famous Mt. Carmel Monastery followed. Decades ago, the Virgin Mary appeared there to a Carmelite nun and revealed herself as the “Mediatrix of all Graces.” The seminarians prayed the rosary in the apparition site and did their personal prayers in the Church of the Monastery. Two seminarians from Batangas who are quite knowledgeable of the monastery’s history and the apparition toured their fellow participants.

The seminar concluded on May 16 at 4:00 in the afternoon. The seminarians went back to Manila with joy in their hearts for the beautiful experiences of prayer, fraternity, love and camaraderie. From Manila, the participants went back to their respective dioceses as they said their brotherly goodbye to each other before they parted ways. n

Seminar for Seminarians 2014: Seminarians in the Year of the Laityby Sem. Ryan A. Salvacion (Archdiocese of Palo)

(The same article appeared in CBCP Monitor Vol. 18, No. 3 - June 23 - July 6, 2014 issue)

ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED FOR PRIESTS & SEMINARIANS BY THEOLOGICAL CENTRUM

Seminarian participants of the Seminar for Seminarians, May 14-16, 2014 pose for a photo at the Latag Study Camp.

Priests who attended the Seminar for Diocesan Priests on the Year of the Laity held on June 2014 at Makiling Conference Center, Laguna.

Fr. Luis Navarro (center), professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, visited and joined the monthly Holy Hour in TC on April 24, 2014.

The Retreat for Diocesan Priests was held on November 24-27, 2014 at the Makiling Conference Center. Some STF Alumni were there.

Make an Investment inthe Training of a Priest

Their is a need for better-trained members of the clergy nowadays. Many efforts have been launched by the hierarchy to address this need.

There are many dioceses in the Philippines that lack the facilities for the higher ecclesiastical studies and the financial means to send their future seminary professors to the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome, Italy) or to the University of Navarre (Pamplona, Spain). To address this situation, Studium Theologiae Foundation launched the project “Formation of Priests and Seminarians for the Local Churches” in 1986.

For 28 years now, donations from people from all walks of life have allowed us to assist at least 250 priests and seminarians to study in the aforementioned institutions. We invite you to join us in multiplying good deeds in order to help the Church and the world.

Academic fees only cover approximately 30% of the cost of educating each student, which is at around 9,000 Euros every year. In order to cover the remaining 70%, fundraising initiatives are being facilitated for those who hold the formation of these students close to their heart.

How can you send a donation?

You can send a check to our mailing address: Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. 5/F Quad Alpha Centrum Bldg., 125 Pioneer Street 1550 Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Send a bank transfer or make a deposit to the following account: Bank of the Philippine Islands Acct Name: Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. Acct. No. 1891-0015-13 (peso deposits) or 1894-0661-01 (for foreign deposits)

LETTER FROM AN ALUMNUS

I am Fr. Jonathan C. Tianero of the Diocese of Malaybalay. I just finished my Licentiate in Institutional Social Communications at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce this September, and arrived

home finally on the 2nd of October. At the moment my Bishop is still in the process of finalising my assignment, though for the month of November he has asked me to stand-in for a priest in the parish of San Fernando who will be undergoing some operation. I just really want to thank TC and the Opus Dei for giving me the opportunity to study in Rome. I have learned a lot about the work in Church Media, which I have been doing, but never knew whether what I did was right, but thanks to you, I have learned that God has been guiding me all along, though there were a lot I would have done differently, and there is still a lot I was not able to do! The horizon which opened up for me as a student in Rome still overwhelms me. Because I was in Rome living at the Collegio Filippino I was given the chance to be invited to celebrate Masses all over Europe. I have been to Germany, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Greece, Austria, Poland, all because I was in Rome. I have made pilgrimages to so many holy places within Italy. Thank you so much! No less invaluable is the chance to meet so many other priests from the different dioceses who stay at the Collegio Filippino. I have made deep friendships with these men of God, and am so impressed how good and kind these priests are, enriching my life, and enlivening my sojourn in Rome. God has been very kind to me in allowing me to meet them. Deep in my heart are the conditions of our OFWs in these countries. They do evangelize Europe with their presence but they also need our prayers and support for strength and stability in faith. They too are broken in need of our attention and God’s compassion. And as with any worker of His Kingdom, they too are being tried, tempted, and threshed by the evil one. Yet their outlook and condition is the most reflective of the Christian pilgrim: a people who live in fidelity to God in an alien land, toiling and struggling in their labours, in order to send and sometimes store wealth in their real home. How I wish I may also toil as hard to store up treasures in heaven! For now, I express my heartfelt gratitude, and hope that you would call on me if there is any way that I may be of help. (...) Once again, thank you so much and more power! n

Visit our website at www.theologicalcentrum.orgEmail us at theologicalcentrum@gmail.comFind us on Facebook “Theo Centrum”

Diaconal Ordination of Rev. Alexes Villarubin (Diocese of Maasin), student of the Sedes Sapientiae International Seminary on October 2014 in Rome, Italy.

Diaconal ordination of Rev. Clarence Dabocol (UNAV), Diocese of Catarman, on August 9, 2014.

Rev. Mark Cayago (Legazpi), Rev. Dennis Ordillos (Tuguegarao) and Rev. Jan Ramos (Palo) after Solemn Vespers in Bidasoa Seminary, Pamplona, Spain. They were ordained deacons on March 22, 2014

Fr. Abel Villarojo (Cebu) defended his doctoral thesis on June 5, 2014 at UNAV, Spain.