SSS PROGRAM OF SEMINARY FORMATION UNDER THE “NEW NORMAL”

The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission for Seminaries (CBCP-ECS), Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., cited the need to revisit the program of seminary formation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indeed, the unexpected tempest does not spare our Seminary Formation Program in the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption. Listening carefully and “prayerfully attentive to the signs of the times yet relentlessly faithful to the mind and heart of the Church,” our Province through the Formation Commission seeks to undertake necessary adjustment under this “new normal.”

The suggested guidelines of the CBCP-ECS has to be appropriated accordingly into the fabric of our contextualized “Follow Me” SSS Formation Program.

When the health-safety measures were imposed by the government to ensure everyone’s well-being, our seminarians were, kind of, deprived of their covetous semestral vacation. However, it is but vital to forgo such because obviously there is a threat to their health and a possible danger to their respective families. This scenario made our formation houses [Postulancy, Novitiate, Scholasticate] to necessarily adjust the respective known programs of each one, i.e., the arrival and accommodation of candidates, both the “stranded” and the incoming candidates; the rite of profession, and the travel of our Pastorales and Br. Alvin. So far, the postulants are still here at EFC, all incoming novices are now safe in Bulacan, while Br. Jessie is still stranded in Pagudpud Mission Station. God deliver us from this pandemic.

(Fr. Reynaldo R. Capili, SSS)

First Profession of Vows

Four seminarians of the SSS-POLA made their first profession of vows at the Community Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate, in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last May 31, 2020. After five days of preparatory retreat, guided by Fr. Manuelino Maamo, SSS, the four candidates, BR. ANDROU DAVID SSS, BR. PEI DUO MING SSS, BR. AMANYA LAWRENCE, SSS and BR. OLIMI PAUL, SSS professed the evangelical vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to Fr. Vergel Dalangin SSS, with Fr. Welwel and Br. Arthur Abalos, SSS as principal witnesses. Fr Vergel is delegated by the Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Roel dela Cruz SSS to receive the vows on his behalf, since

Fr. Roel himself cannot be present due to the travel restriction of the government’s Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). For the same reason, there were no invited visitors outside the Novitiate to witness the event, except for the BSN employees who, representing the parents of Brs. Drou, Duo Ming, Lawrence and Paul, walked the four on the aisle during the entrance procession. The celebration, which is done within the Mass, is marked by simplicity, solemnity and observance of the social distancing. A festive lunch was served after the Mass. The following morning, the four newly professed were accompanied by Fr. Vergel to Eymard Formation Center in Quezon City, where they were warmly welcomed by Fr. Reynaldo Capili SSS and the entire Scholastic Community.

A Beginning of a Journey of a Lifetime

Br. Jubert Daniel Alberto

“When there seems to be no way, God always makes a way.” This line summed up the collective experience and realization of the six first-year novices during their five-day retreat, spiritually and ably directed by the Novice Master, Rev. Fr. Vergel Dalangin, SSS. They were formally welcomed by the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate Community on June 22, 2020, the day of their Investiture, on the feast day of the martyrs, Saints Thomas More and John Fisher.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic and its consequences on the new normal, as well as personal and interior distractions, all six brothers safely made it to the Novitiate House and upon the arrival of Br. Aljun Grado Alfeche from Davao City, the five-day retreat commenced. These were days spent in silence, prayer, communing with God and nature, reflection (how God moved and moves mountains, among many others), and journaling. As Br. Aljun shared, “I had to endure long queues for medical certificate in order to secure a plane ticket from Davao City to Manila. I have already lost hope, as the odds were totally against me but God intervened and I was finally given a seat in the Philippine Airlines flight that flew from Davao City to Cebu City and then to Manila.” Br. Marlon Brando Santos Moreno on the other hand, had to deal with bureaucratic challenges in order to secure his last pay from the company he worked for 12 years. “Before coming here, I was preoccupied with getting my last pay after resigning from the company in May 2019. There were a lot of issues on the release of my last salary but in the end, God used many special people to facilitate its release, just in time before I reported here. With that, I was able to focus on God during the retreat.”

The retreat was a blessed opportunity for the six novices to relax in the presence of the Lord, as He reveals Himself in the Living Word. It also allowed them to ponder on the graces bestowed by God through the Sacrament of Baptism. They were also able to reflect on the distinct garb of soutane, which symbolizes their vocation and self-giving before the Lord. Br. Andrei Mikael Crisostomo Lirazan said, “Today more than ever, I am continuing on this journey to accept His grace in complete surrender and in the process, see Jesus Christ in all of my brothers.” Significantly, God, during the retreat, bestowed graces and consolations that answered and put to rest lingering doubts and questions on the minds of the first-year novices. Br. Jubert Daniel Alberto intimated, “There were a lot of questions in mind such as ‘Am I worthy? Am I really called for this life? Or am I just forcing myself to embrace this life?’ And I realized that God is telling me to not worry about these things but to fully embrace His invitation, which is always personal, surrender oneself and to rest each day knowing that we are in His hands.”

Moreover, the five-day retreat offered a venue for the six brothers to deeply meditate on their religious vocation and their “yes” to Christ’s calling to share in the Paschal Mystery. In the words of Fr. Vergel, “You have to die in order to be resurrected into the new being God intends for you.” As the days progressed, the novices were able to appreciate that the new life they are entering is a life of thanksgiving. Br. Johnniel Cantungan Cugana said, “I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and be continually moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit.”

The five-day retreat ended with the Rite of Investiture, as the six brothers were formally vested with the habit and are now official members of the congregation. In more ways than one, this signals a new beginning for the novices, which puts them on the “spiritual highway to seek God” on a clean slate. As Br. Dave Angelo Bobadilla Castro said, “I see myself as a tabula rasa, eagerly awaiting to write a new chapter in my life together with God and the community.” Welcome, brothers and congratulations! Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum.

SSS POSTULANTS OF 2020

(Guillermo Cagata)

Responding to the call of the Lord to work in His vineyard seems unthinkable to the young generation. Even parents, in their dream of a good and successful future of their children, will opt to shrug off this idea. And most of us fail to realize that we are all called to serve Him and His people in the way God designed us to be.

As we live in this trying time of uncertainties and impossibilities, God’s graces and abundant blessings are impeccable. The gift of vocation to the church and to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a clear manifestation of God’s love to everyone. This year, six young men heed the divine call to enter the religious formation of the SSS. Coming through different ages, professions and culture, these men took courage to make the first step into the deeper water of selfless offering.

Uncontrollable situations brought by the current pandemic were never easy for these young men. Family and personal struggles have been worse adding to that are the difficulties they have experienced completing their entrance requirements due to unstable transportation and finances. But in spite of all these trials, a campus minister, a college professor, an engineer, an IT professional, an office staff and a senior high school teacher, all came together and are willing to give up their selfish ambition and profession to heed the call; to sacrifice and to follow Christ in a very special way, with untarnished intentions and pure heart.

FR. THONN’S BEGINNING EXPERIENCE OF COLLABORATION WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CANBERRA AND GOULBURN, AUSTRALIA

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Australia runs the 90- year-old St. Francis Church in Melbourne’s CBD and the 67-year-old St. Peter Julian Church in George Street in Sydney. The much-loved St. Francis Church has fifteen (15) religious, including twelve (12) priests, while St. Peter Julian has seven (7) religious, including five (5) priests.

Fr. Anthony Riosa of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament from the Philippine Province has been generously welcomed and accommodated by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn for a pastoral mission/immersion. He arrived Canberra on November 30, 2019 with a four-year visa. He is based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in North Belconnen where he shall be of collaborative ministry with the parish.

“My journey to Australia has been like a baptism of fire,” Fr. Riosa said. “There has been the dry season and bushfires, hailstones and now the coronavirus pandemic.” A religious brother for 22 years and a priest for 16 years, Fr. Riosa said his experiences in Australia remind him of a book that charts the escalating Seasons of Life, namely Wonder, Hope, Love, Mystery and Faith.

Season of Wonder: “When my Provincial Superior in the Philippines asked me to consider this assignment in Australia it was tempting to say no. But allowing God’s plan for me and my congregation I bravely accepted the offer. I am convinced God has an important design in this new foundation of the congregation.”

Season of Hope: “Our congregation has communities in Sydney and Melbourne and we hope to share our Eucharistic charism and spirituality in this promising mission land.”

Season of Love: “It is an invitation and challenge to consider the culture, context, and belief of the people working in a foreign place. I have to invest greater love to manage this which acts as a good reminder that works done with an ingredient of love become lighter.”

Season of Mystery: “In this pandemic, there are realizations that somehow God is working in this chaotic situation which gives hope to our venture.” Season of Faith: “We use our weapon of faith to see with God’s eyes how these objectives will become reality, believing in Him who is the architect and has the master plan.”

“There is always greater joy in following the Lord because He is not only the source of our vocation but knows what is right and best for us,” Fr. Riosa said.

WHAT FOR AND WHY NOT THE PHILIPPINES’ ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2020?

(an invitation to reflect on the matter of the issue and to pray for enlightenment)

Preliminary note: It is important that when we make a stand whether for or against anything, we need to be objective in the manner we look at facts in order to discern what common good should not be compromised when agreeing or disagreeing. The purpose of this article is to provide understanding and encourage assessments from our Christian perspective on the issue of the Philippines’ anti-terror bill which already gained left and right rallies against its approval. We are called here to read the issue within the parameters of reason enlightened by faith: Catholic Christian faith.

(The following texts were retrieved June 10, 2020 from: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/The-Philippines-Anti-TerrorismAct-of-2020-Five-things-to-know)

What exactly does this bill say and do? The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 amends the Human Security Act of 2007. It expands the definition of terrorism to include acts intended to cause “death or serious bodily injury to any person,” “extensive damage and destruction” to a government facility, private property or critical infrastructure and when the purpose of those acts is to “intimidate [the] general public,” “create an atmosphere or message of fear,” or “seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structures of the country.” Those found guilty face life sentences without the chance of parole.

The act also criminalizes the “threat, planning, training, facilitating of” and “proposal” and “inciting” to terrorist activities by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, banners and emblems. It also subjects suspects to surveillance, warrantless arrest and detention for up to 24 days. In addition, it removes compensation for the suspect in the event of acquittal and boosts the Anti-Terrorism Council, the implementer of the law, whose members are appointed by the president.

Why is the government pushing it? Backers of the bill say the legislation seeks to end terrorism in the country, which is still battling decades long communist and Islamic insurgencies. In 2017, Islamic State-aligned militants laid siege to the southern city of Marawi; last year the southern region was rocked by suicide bombings.

Even the lockdown did not stop terror, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who cited the communist rebels’ attacks on soldiers securing the distribution of financial aid and attacks by Islamic militants in late May that led to an evacuation in the country’s south that uprooted over 6,000 people.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief and proponent of the bill, said the Human Security Act of 2007 “has proved to fail in terms of its efficacy as an anti-terrorism measure,” partly because it’s lenient for offenders and restrictive for enforcers.

“Under the current Human Security Act, there are only four instances for terrorists to be prosecuted under the law,” Lacson said last year. “On the other hand, there are a total of 20 instances where law enforcers can be charged and penalized for violations of the Human Security Act.”

Why is it being opposed? The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights said the broad definition of “terrorism” in the bill “paves the road for possible abuse.”

“By this broad definition, starting a fight in a bar could technically be classified as an act of terrorism,” said Human Rights Watch, which called the act “a human rights disaster in the making.” The overreach, according to CHR, could also be used “to limit substantial freedoms, including expression of dissent, while [with] the vague and overly broad definition, authorities could wantonly tag [the] exercise of rights as terrorist expressions.”

Fears are also on the rise due to the Duterte’s administration’s history of cracking down on political opposition and the recent arrest of government critics during the lockdown. “It’s not about going after terrorists,” human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno said, “but critics of this administration.”

What do businesses and the international community have to say about the bill? At least 16 Philippine business groups have jointly voiced strong opposition, calling the bill “highly divisive because it poses clear and present danger to human rights enshrined in our Constitution at a time [of pandemic] when our nation needs to come together as one.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the bill “dilutes human rights safeguards, broadens the definition of terrorism and expands the period of detention without a warrant from three to 14 days, extendible by another 10 days. The vague definitions in the Anti-Terrorism Act may violate the principle of legality.”

What are the chances that it will become law? Duterte’s office received the bill on June 9, giving him 30 days to act on it. Amid crumbling support for the act — some lawmakers have withdrawn their backing — and mounting opposition from businesses, universities and the Catholic Church, the Department of Justice said it will review the bill regarding its potential to violate constitutional rights.

With the bill now on his desk, Duterte can sign or veto it anytime to reflect the executive branch’s amendments. If no action is taken on it, the bill automatically becomes law in 30 days. But given the growing opposition to the proposed law, a legal challenge in the Supreme Court is a possibility.

Finally, what is the CBCP-BEC statement on the Anti-Terrorism Bill? (https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/cbcp-bec-statement-onthe-anti-terrorism-bill/ retrieved: June 14, 2020)

The members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities (CBCP-BEC), serve as an ecclesial body that coordinates the BECs or neighborhood-based faith communities in the Parishes all over the country.

We do not accept the Anti-Terrorism Bill due to the following technical provisions that are reprehensive and can be detrimental to our lives as grassroots communities and rights as citizens of this country:

1. Defining “Terrorism.” Though the Bill expressly exclude “advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights”, the rest of the document does not clearly define what “terrorism” is.
2. Surveillance. Any military personnel or law enforcement agent can wiretap and “overhear and listen to, intercept, screen, read” any “communications, discussions, data, information, messages” from any available technology for any “suspected terrorist”. With the development in technology, these are easily accessible. In itself, this is a clear violation of a person’s right to privacy.
3. Detention. The Anti-Terror Council (ATC) can order arrest by mere finding of “probable cause” without a warrant of arrest from a legitimate Court. The suspect’s assets can also be frozen upon order of ATC. One can be arrested without charges up to 14 days, and can still be extended to 10 more days, as the law enforcers continue to build up the case.
4. Respect for Human Rights. With the danger of weaponizing the law against critics and other vulnerable population like the drug addicts and poor farmers and lumad, all the above loopholes in the Act can easily be instrumentalized by people in power for their own interests and benefits. In fact, this Act awakens the memory of the BEC leaders and members whose rights were violated, some of them disappeared and some were killed, during that repressive rule of the dictatorship in the past.