The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
happened on the 29th 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.
We opened the celebration with a Holy
Mass precided by the local superior, Fr. Anthony de Souza, fdp, the Vicar of
our community here in Montalban, Fr. Stefan Bulai, fdp, and the councilor and
Rector of the Seminary, Fr. Stan Achi, fdp. For us, it had been a tradition of
the congregation here in the Philippines to culminate a special day intended
for the Pope. It is a symbolic event of our filial love and total obedience to
him as the vicar of Christ on earth. In the homily, Fr. Anthony highlighted the
special love of the congregation for the Pope and to follow him in every humble
works we make.
We aligned the theme by changing the
ordinary St. Luigi Orione Hall into an “Apostolic
Nunciature” where Pope Francis’ dined in a simple banquet for one lunch
with the Cardinals and religious during the last year’s 2015 Papal Visit in the
Philippines. We exhibited the flag of the congregation in a bright spotlight
originally the flag of the Vatican City observing its white and joyful yellow
theme.
In the cultural night, the invocation
led by the 1st year seminarians depicted our self-denial as they
melodiously sung the “Lord, here I am” to open the celebration. The chairman of
Socio Cultural reechoed the momentous Apostolic Visit of the Supreme Pontiff
during the festival of Sto. Niño last January 2015. The resounding “Papa Francisco, Mahal ng Pilipino” steered
the audience as the chairman introduced the masters of the ceremony. The emcees
were vested like Pope Francis and his great translator, Fr. Mark who made the
crowd yelled in exultations as they presumed the “coming back” of the Holy
father.
All presentations were aligned in Pope
Francis’ apostolic exhortations and encyclicals. The six 4th year
presented the “Laudato Si- On Care for
our Common Home”, where they emphasized the story of creation, the
manifestation of man, the tragedy of the typhoon Yolanda here in the
Philippines, and the Pope’s apostolic visit. They concluded their performance with
a graceful “Laudato Si”, a dance number choreographed and performed. The second
year chose “Lumen Fidei- The light of
faith”. They creatively dubbed the entire play with emotions and languages
in the society. The Juniors got the “Amoris Laetitia”, whom they highlighted
the love of a family in light of Christ’s consoling power.Our dear novices rendered also a
remarkable performance. They showed how Jesus’ guides and protects in all our
decisions as we proceed along religious and priestly life someday.
Fr. Stan in the end congratulated all the seminarians who consistently prepared for the annual celebration. By the
felicitation in his heart, he described the event by inspiring us with his
great smiles who later on gave a motivating spirit in us to continue our human
project. Taken from our periodical prayers of Don Orione, “May our respect,
obedience and love for the Pope, the bishops who have been placed by the Holy
Spirit to rule the church be endlessly great, endlessly devoted and endlessly
filial, Amen”.
Contributed by: Sem. Pablo B. Jordan
Outgoing Chairman of the Socio- Cultural Team
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