Juniors-Seminarians Forum Celebrates 25th Years of Existence
Participating with the other junior religious men and women is another good thing of being assigned here in Marikina. It’s an opportunity to be one of them (For the second time) as a temporary profess brother. Two years ago, I can still recall how we continued the legacy of those who came beofre us in responding to the challenges of times to the young generation of religious men and women.
The Juniors-Seminarians Forum (JSF) just started celebrating its 25th year of existence with a General Assembly last Sunday, July 5, held at St. Joseph College at E. Rodriguez in Quezon City. Together with Br. Joie; one of our Scholastics from Marist Asia-Pacific Center (MAPAC) attended the said activity. It was attended by young brothers and sisters coming from different congregations here in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It’s good to know also that a core group of officers coming from outside Manila was created, means the JSF is now expanding as it reaches 25 years of existence. JSF started during the time when Philippines needed change, when Filipinos fought for freedom from dictatorship of Marcos, and that fight for injustice was responded with eagerness by the young religous that time. Since time flew fast and changes took place in different ways nowadays, JSF continues responding to its call of existence. Whew!
Visiting the Blue Mosque in Taguig was one of my memorable experiences being pasee tat camdrt of the JSF. I became part of the core group of officers as a treasurer in 2006 and ended for the next treasurer in 2007 at the Formation House of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in Quezon City. Recall, recall, recall..
The JSF was blessed enough to be with Bishop Socrates Villegas, DD. He generously shared his time with us. It was my first time to see him in person; so I did ask for a blessing from him which he also granted. Astig!
The Call. Bishop Soc asked first the assembly, “Which shape would you describe yourself?” From square, triangle, circle and hexagon, I chose triangle. It was amusing. Somehow he said that triangle people belong to the traditional people, lol! He challenged everybody with the question, “Who are these religious people we need today?” the K-A-L-M, acronym for Kenosis, Alleluia, Learning and Mission are the characteristics of religious men and women we need today according to him. We need to respond to the call following Christ, but also to die with him. We need to live our call with joy; the christian song “Alleluia.” We also need to learn, and not stop learning. We are missionaries, thus the Church’s nature.
That was a good experience to remember again. It calls me again to go back to the basic, I mean, to be rooted again on my commitment as a religious. Inspired and energized to move onward to the call. Difficult but I’m trying harder to be faithful this time… God, bless me.
Image credit: Caricature above is the recent work of my student in Religion, John Vladimir Manalo of St. Bartholomew Class who happens to be a young actor.
jason said:
hi!!!
nice pos ah
puro godliness and holiness
sana may pics ka sa blue mosque house..
sayang naman hehehe
alam mo ba kasama dapat ako sa choir nung grade 3 ako kaso
sabi ng teacher ko…
“alam o sayang pede ka kaso nag iiba -iba boses mo eh”
jason´s last blog ..I’m going to start from where I left off
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The Itinerant - MyBlogLog said:
Hydrolyze said:
Just wanted to say hello all. This is my first post.
I would like to learn a ton here.
[Reply]