SPIRITUAL FORMATION
YEAR PROGRAM
RATIONALE - The Spiritual
Formation Year (SFY) is a yearlong program during which time the seminarian
is assisted in the discovery of his person – his woundedness and giftedness
– and the vocation he is called to live and commit himself with.
It is a year of discovery and discernment. It is a year of uncovering
the unique interplay of the human and the spiritual in each person.
The SFY is founded on the conviction that grace builds on nature.
It is founded on the belief that those who are called by God’s grace to
respond to His invitation to the priesthood come from human histories that
are wounded in different ways and degrees but are open to the possibility
of healing and integration, open to grace. The program builds on
the conviction that integral spirituality means being healthy in all the
dimensions of one’s being. It seeks to echo the spirit of St. Irenaeus
who proclaimed: “The glory of God is man fully alive!”
The program is ICST’s response to the ecclesial mandate to provide for
seminarians an integral spiritual formation program that incorporates the
human formation along side the spiritual-pastoral formation.
The SFY is as much about being human as being spiritual. It is
growth in spiritual life according to one’s own personal and individual
uniqueness. It is also a program that seeks to develop the beginnings
of a Diocesan Spirituality as it helps seminarians reflect on the spiritual
significance of their pastoral context and experiences. The program
is ICST’s way of providing a spiritual formation that is integral and contextualized
for future pastoral ministers of Northern Luzon.
SFY VISION - The SFY program
of ICST hopes to provide a year of formation during which time the seminarians
are assisted at self-discovery, growth in personal maturity, vocation,
clarification and spiritual growth. At the end of the SFY it is hoped
that the seminarians have sufficient self-knowledge, knowing their weaknesses
and strengths, understanding their personal histories and behavioral patterns.
It is also hoped that the seminarians would have achieved sufficient inner
freedom as to be able to decide with mature deliberation the life they
intend to live. Finally, the SFY hopes (a) to enable each seminarian
to honestly examine his motivations for the priesthood, (b) to help each
seminarian enter into a more personal relationship with the Lord, and (c)
to lead each seminarian to recognize and experience the graciousness of
the God who calls those whom he loves.
SPIRITUAL
FORMATION PROGRAM FOR THEOLOGIANS
I. Introduction
“The end of spiritual training is the perfection of charity, and it
should lead the student, not just by his dint of ordination, but from the
intimate fellowship of his whole life, to become in a special way another
Christ: deeply penetrated by his spirit, he should truly realize what he
is doing when celebrating the mystery of the Lord’s death, he should imitate
what he is handling, and follow Him who came not be ministered but to minister
(cf. Matt 20,28)” [Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, Ratio Fundamentalis
Institutionis Sacerdotalis, no. 44].
II. Holy
Mass and other Liturgical Celebrations
“Daily celebration of the Eucharist, which is completed by a sacramental
communion received worthily and in full liberty, should be the center of
the whole life of the seminary, and the students should devoutly take part
in it.
Sharing in the Sacrifice of the Mass, “source and culmination of all
Christian life,” they share in the charity of Christ, drawing from this
richest of sources supernatural force for their spiritual life and apostolic
labour.”
“A sound variety in the manner of participation in the Sacred Liturgy
should be provided for, so that the students may not only realize great
spiritual progress themselves, but also be prepared practically, from their
Seminary years, for their future ministry and liturgical apostolate” (Sacred
Congregation for Catholic Education, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis
Sacerdotalis, no. 52).
Following the aforementioned norms, the seminarians are enjoined to
observe the following exercises:
Sunday Masses
Daily Masses
Community Masses (Wednesday Evening and Sunday Morning)
Commitment to Daily Prayer (CDP)
Bible Services (Community Bible Service: 3rd Thursday of the Month)
Novenas and Triduum on significant Feasts of the Church
Solemn Vespers on Sunday evening.
In any liturgical service, the official uniform should be worn is clerical
soutana with shoes or sandals.
The Community Masses (i.e. Wednesday Evening and Sunday Morning) are
sponsored by each of the Formation Communities.
Headed by the Regional Liturgist and in consultation with Liturgico-Spiritual
Priest Coordinator and with the Mass Presider, the Formation Community
prepares the theme, readings, songs, etc. for all the liturgical celebrations.
III. Confessions
“To follow Christ in the spirit of the gospel is an intention certainly
to be renewed every day. The virtue of penance, then, should be instilled
into future priests. Penitential acts made in common may be used, which
serve both for personal formation and for mutual instruction. Students
should strive to acquire a real enthusiasm for a life crucified with Christ,
through love of Him, and for purity of heart. They should therefore pray
fervently for the help of the grace they need; frequent recourse to the
sacrament of penance should become a habit: there, everyone’s efforts are
in a sense consecrated” (Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, Ratio
Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, no. 55).
Confession: Community penitential service with individual confessions
is done every 1st Tuesday of the month. Third Tuesday of the month is another
opportunity for confessions done after community compline.
If there is a need, however, the seminarian is free to confess to any
priest. In the latter care, the manner and time for confessing is left
to the individual seminarian.
IV. Devotional Exercises
“The priest will keep to all these duties only if in his seminary days
he has faithfully practiced the devotional exercises that have long proved
their word, and are sanctioned by the Rule of the Seminary; and if he has
correctly grasped their importance and force. If it should be necessary
to adapt one or other of those practices to modern needs, its inherent
and essential purpose should carefully be kept in mind so that it may be
attained in some other suitable ways” (Sacred Congregation for Catholic
Education, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, no. 54).
Common Exercises: On Wednesday afternoons, the rosary or other forms of
Marian devotion like the Perpetual Help Novena are said.
Individual Exercises: Every day, each seminarian is encouraged to find
time to pray personally at his own convenience. Such devotions as daily
recitation of the rosary, regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament, making
the Stations of the Cross are highly recommended.
The reading of the Bible and other Spiritual Books is also encouraged for
the cultivation of the seminarian’s spiritual life.
Each Formation Community is encouraged to post relevant points (e.g.
liturgical theme of the week or month) for common and individual meditation
in the chapel’s bulletin board.
V. Spiritual Direction
“Moreover each (seminarian) should have his Spiritual Director to whom
he may humbly and confidently open his conscience, so as to be guided safely
in the way of the Lord” (Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, Ratio
Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, no. 55).
Spiritual Directors
1. Seminarians are advised to consult their
SD regularly, at least once a month.
2. Spiritual Director/s for each Region:
a. Ilocandia
1) Fr. Marlon Belmonte (15 seminarians)
2) Abbot Rabang (5)
3) Fr. Eugene (5)
4) Fr. Willie Jones (2)
5) Fr. Ericson (2)
6) Fr. Foz (2)
7) Fr. Doms (2)
b. Montanosa
1) Fr. Berlyn (15)
2) SD’s of T4 last year (they will continue)
c. Pangasinan
1) Fr. Mario (5)
2) Fr. Raymond (3)
3) Fr. Eulysses (3)
d. CAVISA
1) Fr. Tony (12)
3. Peer Confidants:
Each seminarian may
choose one or two fellow seminarians with whom he can open up matters of
the
internal forum. The
chosen confidant has a role similar to that of the SD.
VI.
Spiritual Retreats, Recollections and Conferences
“Besides the spiritual direction of individuals, students should also
be given, at fixed times as each Seminary’s Rule determines, a spiritual
instruction of conference suited to the situation and outlook of modern
youth: their efforts in the spiritual life receive in this way a regular
fresh impulse, and can be directed towards the gaining of a genuine mature
priestly spirituality, according to the mind of the Church.
Self-examination, regular periods of recollection and other exercises
of the kind should also have their place. Every year all should spend some
days in retreat” (Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, Ratio Fundamentalis
Institutionis Sacerdotalis, no. 56).
1. The Spiritual Coordinator (in coordination with the House Council)
arranges the schedule for the two annual retreats and invites the retreat
masters. The retreat at the start of the school year is normally scheduled
from four to five days around the month of June. Another retreat is likewise
scheduled sometimes at the beginning of the second semester in November.
2. Regional community recollections are scheduled twice a semester.
[July 20-21, 2007]. Whole community recollection is scheduled once a semester.
[August 31-September 1, 2007]
3. Class recollection is done once a year. (In view of the lectorate
and acolytate installation). Hence, this is to be done a week before the
said event. [February 11, 2008]
4. Once a month spiritual conference is held with the Regional SD on
the evening of the 2nd Tuesday of the month. The nature of this conference
is flexible giving rooms to such forms as dialogues, group activities,
etc. Topics for these conferences may be suggested by the seminarians.
5. A 30-day retreat is recommended to the candidates for ordination
for the Holy Order of Diaconate upon completion of their theological studies
in ICST after the end of the school year.
Daily schedule of our liturgical/spiritual activities
PASTORAL FORMATION
THEOLOGY I
Nature of Apostolate
1. Confirmation Classes to the 3rd year high school students (every
Thursday afternoon)
Objectives: The main goal of this is to prepare the students
15 years of age and above for the sacrament of confirmation to be held
at St. Paul Cathedral come January 2008. Thus, the Theology 1 is to come
up with meaningful and fruitful lessons in line with this goal. This will
help the seminarians improve their pastoral skills such as communication,
planning and organization of their lessons, facilitation, time management,
even animation in the classrooms. This will also be a good practice for
the seminarians to put the theological theories and knowledge they have
acquired into concrete situations, through inculturated form of catechism
so that the students could appreciate more their being members of the Church
by their reception of the sacraments, especially that of the initiation
sacraments.
Venues:
Ilocos Sur National High School
Vigan National High School West
Vigan National High School East
Activities:
Confirmation classes
Catechism on Basic Prayers and the other sacraments
Recollection before the confirmation proper
Confirmation on January 2008
Post-confirmation classes
2. Prison Apostolate at the Provincial Jail (every Saturday Morning)
Objectives: The seminary aims at forming men with deep commitment
to and competence for pastoral leadership and service, especially of the
poor and suffering, in union with Christ, the Good Shepherd, and the shepherds
of the Church, towards the building of the local church in communion and
mission. With this in mind, they have the following objectives for the
apostolate to the inmates of the provincial jail and the paraplegics in
Tahanang Walang Hagdan.
to immerse themselves in the lives of the imprisoned and disabled;
to learn the value of suffering and to recognize the face of the crucified
Christ in them
to instill in them the value of their own human dignity as persons
to be able to practice the charism of preaching/teaching through witnessing
and giving catechesis
Activities:
Visitation
Basic catechism
Bible sharing
Recollection and mass (once a semester)
Formation programs (the choir and lectors for the mass)
Teaching basic prayers and liturgical songs
Giving them magazines for their artwork (livelihood)
Recreation activities
3. Apostolate to the Paraplegics of Tahanang Walang Hagdan (every
Saturday morning)
Activities:
Visitation
Guitar lessons
Physical assistance
Catechism once in a while due to their busy work (handicraft-making)
Bible sharing
Teaching basic prayers and liturgical songs
Recollection and mass (once a semester)
4. Neighborhood Apostolate and /or Skills Training and Seminar (every
Saturday afternoon)
Objectives: The Neighborhood Apostolate is actually an apostolate
of presence, letting the people feel their influence upon the seminarians
and for the seminarians to know the people in the neighborhood. They immerse
themselves into the real life situations of the people and to gain knowledge
about their socio-cultural situation and thus learn from their daily experiences.
Moreover, part of this neighborhood apostolate is for the seminarians to
let the people be actively involved in religious activities, especially
the Sunday mass sponsorship in the seminary.
THEOLOGY II
Campus Ministry
Campus ministry is one of the pastoral programs of ICST for the seminarians.
It is a school-based youth ministry. The young people of God find special
place and concern in this apostolate for indeed the Church loves the young
people. Because of this, the seminarians, who are the future pastors of
the Church, must develop a special care and concern for the young people.
And so, this program provides the seminarians an opportunity to be involved
with the young people in school campuses so that they will come to know
them and lead them into a deeper understanding and appreciation of their
faith in Christ. In the process, the seminarians must acquire proper attitude,
support, and skills needed for their future ministry as priests.
The different activities and their specific aims
The different activities of the campus ministry of ICST are the following:
Catechism/sacraments, Recollection giving, organization, Choir organizing,
Guitar learning. The seminarians will immerse themselves on these activities
with these specific aims.
1. Catechism/Sacraments
To teach the students the basics of faith, morals and worship.
To teach the students about the sacraments of the church
To help the students to familiarize themselves on the different parts of
the Holy Mass
To train altar servers and readers.
To foster a deep appreciation of the Holy Mass
2. Recollection
To guide the students for a better appreciation and experience of the love
of God
To facilitate the students in the self-discovery
To inspire the students in their journey of growth, guiding them to make
good decisions based on a better grasp of the realities in life.
3. Organization
To learn with the students their skills of building communities and organizing.
To organize youth ministry in high school campus
4. Choir organizing and training
To allow students to appreciate the importance of music (theory and practice)
and its contribution for the school and for themselves
To help the school train a choir
To train students how to sing well by learning the fundamentals of music
like voice, discipline in performance, etc.
5. Guitar learning
To teach and train students interested to learn the basic of guitar playing
To assist the students who know little on playing guitar to make it better
To lead into a greater appreciation of music and guitar playing
The different school campuses
The different school campuses that seminarians go for campus ministry
are the following: St Paul College of Ilocos Sur (SPCIS), Bantay, Ilocos
Sur, Divine Word College of Vigan (DWCV), Vigan City, and Ilocos Sur National
High School (ISNHS), Vigan City. The different schools have their own unique
vision and mission based on specific charisms and needs. It goes with it
that there are also different programs to realize their vision-mission.
Flowing from their vision and mission are programs to realize their vision
and mission. And so the seminarians avail of these programs and fit themselves
into the schedules of programs that the schools provide. The following
are the programs of activities of the school campuses.
The different programs of school campuses
St Paul College of Ilocos Sur (SPCIS)
(Sr Grace Salvana, SPC)
This program is especially designed for the theology II seminarians
of ICST on the exposure on campus ministry. The goal of this program is
to provide the seminarians with the opportunity of learning the basics
of campus ministry through various activities that gear towards holistic
formation. This program will hopefully deepen the seminarians’ faith, challenge
them to grow in their personal response towards the call for total self-giving
and availability, develop sense of mission, nourish their sacramental life
and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and intensify their
commitment to the vocation to the priesthood. There are 5 seminarians who
are assigned at SPCIS.
Divine Word College of Vigan (DWCV)
There are 10 seminarians assigned in this campus. They are involved
in catechism classes every Thursday afternoon. Each seminarian holds two
classes: First class (2:30-3:30 pm) and second class (3:30-4:30 pm). They
divide among themselves the 20 sections of classes from first year to fourth
year High school students. On Saturdays, the seminarians are divided into
2 groups (5 seminarians in each group). The first group is in-charged of
choir training. The second group gives seminars on the different parts
of the mass for elementary to college students, knights of the altar training
and recollection giving.
Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS)
There are 11 seminarians assigned in this campus. The focus of their
ministry is on catechism classes every Thursday. This campus has a huge
number of students numbering to more than five thousand high school students.
Because of its huge number, the seminarians can only do the least. They
have catechism classes only to a few numbers of students available at a
specific period when catechism classes are allowed by the administration.
This is so because this is a public school, a government-run school. Some
seminarians are handling 4 sections of the third students; other seminarians
are teaching 6 sections of the fourth year students, and 1 seminarian is
handling one section of the first year students. There is also a proposal
of a program to hold confirmation classes for catholic students who have
not yet received the sacrament of confirmation in order to prepare them
for a worthy and meaningful reception of the sacrament. Such proposal still
waits for the approval of the administration. It is a desire also to organize
and put up a campus ministry in the school where the young students are
trained empowered to serve their fellow youth.
Regular Assessment
The regular assessment of the program of ICST on campus ministry is
necessary. It is an avenue to sit down and gather together in order to
look back at the activities done, whether the seminarians have attained
the aims for which the activities are intended. In so doing, the seminarians
are given a space to express the positive results and to identify areas
which need improvement. Moreover, it is an occasion for seminarians to
share their reflections on the activities in the context of their personal
growth. The regular assessment is scheduled quarterly on Saturdays when
there
will be no schedule of activities in the campuses. With this assessment,
the efficiency of the program and the growth of the seminarians are properly
monitored and addressed.
THEOLOGY III and IV
I. Introduction
The Pastoral Formation Program is seen as partnership of Immaculate
Conception School Theology with the St. Mark Vicariate of the Archdiocese
of Nueva Segovia. In particular the main agents in this apostolate are
the 3rd and 4th year theologians. They will go to Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
The pastoral formation of future priest is to be facilitated with the following
principles:
1. integral evangelization and ministries
2. pastoral thrust of BEC building
3. contextualized and inculturated
4. focused on option of the poor and
5. immersion action-reflection processes
For fruitful participation in the pastoral formation processes, each
seminarian has to make the required attitudinal shift:
shift from pedestal and privileged status of clericalism to equal human
dignity
shift form seminary comfortable and secured lifestyle to immersion into
the harsh reality of poverty and insecurities
shift from expert attitude to learning from the unlearned
shift from establishing personal loyalties and friendships to nurturing
mission commitment
II. Program
Levels Focus Skills Workshop Content
Third Year - Pastoral Orientation, Thrust,
Framework and Processes
Immersion Experiences
Conversion - Community profile
Analysis
Communications and relational skills
Facilitating skills - Social Analysis
Church of the poor
Community organizing
Participatory Church
Fourth Year Pastoral program and Management
- Module Crafting
Program Design
Training Design
Leadership
Personal Management / development - Empowerment for mission
Kingdom mission as liberation
In other words, the Third year theologians’ apostolate is Pastoral Orientation
and Basic Immersion which thrust is the dialogue with day to day life.
Skills to be learned are communication with people and social analysis.
The challenge is to live with the poorest among the poor. For the Fourth
year, their apostolate is Pastoral Design and Pastoral Management. Expected
skills to be learned are Module Crafting, Program Design, Training Skills,
Leadership, and Personal Management and Development. They will go in twos.
The weekend immersion/apostolate is scheduled every 2nd and 4th week
of the month. Other weekends, i.e. 1st and 3rd, will be used for workshop
training, sharing of experiences, reflection and processing.
IV. Possible end product: Pastoral exposure should bring about radical
conversion. Specifically, the following should be expected from the seminarians:
paradigm shift consciousness from perspective of the poor
simple lifestyle freed from tools of oppression
capable of differentiating liberating pastoral program from oppressive
program
Pastoral formation looks up to Jesus as a model and guide. He is the Good
Shepherd whose imitate knowledge of the flock and sacrificial love for
them remains the norm for priests. Pastoral formation, therefore, also
aims at preparing seminarians to enter in to communion with the charity
of Christ the Good Shepherd (UPPPF 147).
Pastoral training brings the seminarians in contact with the living
Church. They learn to identify with the rich traditions of their particular
Churches. They learn to make their own the struggles and predicaments that
the communities have to face, especially the poor (UPPPF 148).
