Give sustenance to all mankind!

The radiance of the bread of life coming from the providential love of God is a theme worthy of an endless celebration. The daily sustenance we received is what we admire and long for- but maybe it is not yet enough.

In honor to St. Luigi Orione in every 16^th of the month, the community here in Montalban celebrated the ORIONIGHT taking the theme, “Give us this day our daily bread”. The Eucharistic celebration was officiated by our Vicar General, Fr. Oreste Ferrari, together with Fr. Stefan and Fr. Stan. Depicting the good nutrition, we need the nutrients of Christ in all aspects of our life. We held the celebration in connection to the Nutrition Month happened every July here in the Philippines.

Let us give them a chance to learn!

The classes will start at August due to some changes in philosophy school. While waiting for days coming, seminarians are spending so much of their time in manual work, in prayer and study. In everyday routine, they are asked to attend the class arranged by our rector, Fr. Stan and if the professor is not coming; at least we spend time in self-study and scribbling some books and encyclopedias in the library.

Pope Francis' Spirit, Viva il Papa!

The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul happened on the 29^th of June became the confirmation of our Orionine spirits as our charism hails in the love for the most poor.  To be the “church for the poor” entails submissive necessities of a pure mercy and compassion like what Pope Francis emphasizes in all his works as the bishop of Rome.

Welcome Home Fr. Stan!

There’s no best place than home. To the culture of an Englishmen particularly in England, there is an ever so sweet phrase saying, “My home is my fortress”. After two months of vacation for the seminarians, Fr. Stan, the Rector of the Seminary spent his break in two halves: first, in the seminary preparing everything for the coming academic year and another half in his place,in Ivory Coast. Now, he is joyfully back in the Philippines for another formative year in shepherding young men.

Knowing Each Other, Getting Together

On the 2^nd day of June, we held the continuation of our team building. We rose early at 4:00 in the dawn heading into our area prepared by the 4^th Year as a venue for the morning lauds. “TakBOKASYON- a run for Vocation is the theme of the morning activity. In our sweet Filipino language, takbo means run and bokasyon means vocation- squeezing the words to complete the said title. We solemnly prayed at the start for strength and immunity- mind, body and spirit- as we start our fun run activity. The whistle of Sem. Pablo became an indicator of receiving a signage, a signal or instructions on the entire day as we went from the seminary going along Wawa Dam. This opportunity of going to this historical area is very vital for especially when we have our pastoral ministry in the chapels. We have three residing parochial chapels near the Wawa Dam, the Sto. Niño Chapel, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Chapel and the St. Vincent Ferrer Chapel in Sitio Sabangan. Stories says that this dam was the source of water supply of the entire Metro Manila before until they discovered the Angat Dam. Still, there is a strong clamor to beautify and improve the tourist destination.

Maraming Salamat Po!

In life, we tend to be a hedonist. We find pleasure in every work we’ve done without waiting for the result. By the Divine Providence who is always in our midst, we have another humble work, the improvement of our buildings in catering our needs in formation. Our pragmatic formators here in Montalban- Fr. Stan, Bro. Aldrin, Bro. Augustus and Bro. Carl- made their vacation extraordinary by preparing the seminary facilities before the classes will start. They work on rooms for the novices. (now they are student professed brothers).

The Joy in our Formation!

“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Taking the words of Jesus in the Gospel, camaraderie becomes the food of community life when brothers are sharing the same friendship which Jesus’ Himself established 2000 years ago. After the long preparation for consecutive events here in Montalban- the entrance of our new novices, first religious profession and the renewal of vows- the fourth year seminarians conducted a team building activity as we prepare ourselves for the formal opening of the academic year.