Anggulo 101

Regalo...

This is one of the gifts I got, rendered by good hearts...

Salamat, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Antipolo City!

Salamat, Radio Veritas!

I will never forget the line...

"Mula sa bulwagan ng Radio Veritas 846 sa Quezon City, philippines. Ito po sina Fr. Gerald Metal at BRO. JULIUS DE SAGUN... Mga kapanalig, kami po ay nagpupugay sa inyo: SUMAINYO ANG KATOTOHANAN!"

It's now over... Salamat... Salamat...

"KADIWA"

I would like sum up the things I learned during my apostolate with the Ephesus Ministry by borrowing its very name... “KADIWA”

My few months of apostolate with Ephesus Ministry is rather short but filled with reflections. As a seminarian, Ephesus Ministry reminds me that priesthood is a lifetime commitment. Meanwhile, as a human being, I am also reminded that getting old is a privilege which not everybody can experience.

THE APOSTOLATE

It all started with a dream. I was dreaming of having a place where the old and retired priests of our diocese (Diocese of Imus) will stay after their service to the local church of Cavite. When I had a processing with the help of my formators and co-seminarians, they made me understand how concerned I was with my own welfare if ever God will make me His priest. I realized that my dream was actually self-directed. Such concern ruled over my mind all throughout my seminary days until I was recommended to spend the 1st phase of my Pastoral Year with Ephesus Ministry. The idea was to mould my heart as a real “kadiwa” by letting me take a first-hand experience of being with the old priests in order to develop a compassionate heart.

My apostolate started by getting to know all the retired Filipino priests – not in person but through their records in the Ephesus office. Believe me - I met both the living and the dead retired priests. Every weekend, I was also given numerous chances to visit some of the priests from different arch/dioceses - as far as Lingayen-Dagupan and as near as Manila. The visit was called “dalaw-pari”. The significant part of the visit was not the long travel but listening to the stories of the priests. Many of them are now slaves of numerous illnesses and diseases. Some of those priests were no longer hopeful that the Lord will heal them, instead they just enjoy the remaining days of their lives in solitude and prayer. I remember in one occasion when a priest with a spleen cancer told me upon learning that I am a seminarian: “I am sure that I will not be around during your ordination. I might be dead by then. But, I’ll promise you that if ever I’ll see the Lord, I tell him to make you a priest... a holy priest.” Upon hearing his piece, I admired that priest. Unlike other priests that I visited, this one neither spoke about how he suffers from pain nor about his accomplishments in the ministry. His concern was how he could be of service to his brethren despite his situation. That priest taught me that a “kadiwa” lends his hands even beyond his own well-being.

Of course, there were also priests who were not so accommodating. I remember an instance when after a long travel while bringing along a heavy load of “pasalubong”, a priest told us: “Aanhin ko yang kaunting matamis na dala ninyo at kaunting gamot na yan?” Another one told us: “Kidney donor ang kailangan ko hindi diaper at gatas” Instead of garnering a hard-feeling towards those priests, I was called by the circumstance to reflect on how much suffering that priest might have had.

EPHESUS ANGELS

My apostolate also allowed me to encounter some people of good heart. Ephesus has some circles of volunteers composed of seminarians, lay workers from different parishes, and NGO’s.

The “Dalaw-pari” is neither a joke nor an easy task. It requires another level of being a “kadiwa” - by having a generous heart and a committed spirit. Many of the Ephesus volunteers are working on weekdays and some are even engaged to different commitments in the Church and at home. Perhaps, giving up their Saturday rest for the dalaw-pari is a sacrifice but they still offer their time, efforts and sometimes even their financial resources to such a noble ministry. Indeed, these people are worthy of being called “angels”.

AN APOSTOLATE OF PRESENCE

My limited time with Ephesus Ministry taught me a lot. Sometimes the best thing that we can offer our aged priests is our presence – something which could not be bought in the marketplace or in the drugstore.

There was a moment when the people had nobody to talk to, to rely on, and to seek counsel from except form these priests who have dedicated themselves to their mission. Now that they are the ones in need of people for the same reason, I guess we have to give them none other than our abiding presence.

My apostolate with Ephesus ministry is over but everything that I learned will forever be treasured in my heart. Through this article, I would like to put into terms my gratitude to Msgr. Sabino Vengco, STD for inspiring me to consider the aged clerics as my own apostolate ground over other equally important fields. I also thank the office staff and the angels/ volunteers of Ephesus for patiently journeying with me in a short while. Through this noble ministry, I met a lot of God’s people whose mission is to make themselves real “KADIWA SA PAGKAPARI”.

a letter from a good boy

Dear Bro. Julius,


Today in the midst of problems and difficulties in the lives of Catholics, I a still surprised and excited by meeting a true devoted Catholic in serving the Lord. I hate saying good byes because it symbolizes the end of something, but this good bye I am making to you does not show the end but the temporary farewell untill we see each other again.

You have been with us for about 5 months or so which may seem such a short time but you have greatly influenced me a lot. Ever since I met you, I felt/ see you as a very strict person that we won't have fun with but after sometimes I saw who you really were a firm, friendly and loving servant of God... We have talked to each other and have a lot in common, sabi nyo nga kung magklaklase tayo, naku tawa ng tawa tayo the whole day. I had a lot of fun with you bro and I reallized how it is important to educate the youth of Christ and His saving ministry. With such a short time you have touch my life. Sayang nga na paalis na po kayo marami pa po ako matutunan sa inyo. When you included my name in your program in RadyoVeritas, you made me feel so special. I was laughing, thinking myself in ythat kind of position.

In you, I see greatness, I see the glory and glory of being a priest. You will, one day, be the best priest you can be and you will proudly proclaim God's message of Salvation.You would be a priest, a strong confident priest that would be able to move the live of millions. In you is the devotion of serving God. I wish and pray that you would continue your devotion to become a priest. I would never forget you po. One day we would be able to celebrate the mass together as both priests!

God bless Bro. Julius! More power! Always count on me for your prayers!!! God bless again bro! Keep in touch! 'Till we meet again, Au Revoir!!

Frater in Christo

Anton Heinrich L. Rennesland

An Open Letter: My Sentiments to the People I Served

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4, 2010)

Dearest KOA and your parents,

I bet that while you are reading this, you have too many assumptions of what should be the content of this letter. Dont worry! This is a fraternal letter, a simple sharing g of thoughts.

I understand that many of you have known me as a very “strict” formator. Perhaps it was very much evident when I burst out with my emotion last September 26 right after your investiture/ renewal.

To tell you honestly, my (almost) 5 months of formation program with you is neither easy nor a joke. For you to know, in every meeting that we had, I was seeing to it that my modules are well-prepared with all the lecture, visual aids, and quizzes. For our practical trainings on altar services, I had to study the movements that are demanded by the liturgy and missal. There were also moments that I had to “fly” from an appointment (from my other apostolates) just to be on time for our meeting. Behind all these, however, I had the first hand experience of waiting for you until 2 or 3pm while our meeting was actually set at 1pm. While many were coming late (if not absent), I noticed that many of you were speaking even louder than I do during meetings while chatting with seatmates. I know and I am convinced that many who were there had the intention to listen and to learn but they were sidetracked by some who were playing and chatting about the computer games they played that caused the delay of the meeting.

Behind all these observations, the most common thought that I got (even from parents) was: “Brother, ganyan talaga! Mga bata yan eh!”. I just wonder if that reason can be given to your teachers when they observe the same from you.

During our preparations for the investiture/ renewal, last August 15, I remember vividly that I requested you to bring your “2x2 picture” to be attached to your application form for investiture/ renewal. I also remember joking with you after some weeks of waiting for your pictures: “kahit hindi na 2x2 picture. Kahit pa may katabi kayo sa picture, gupitin nyo na lang ang sarili nyo para lang may mailagay kayo dito.” Would you believe that up to this moment, October 4, I have at hand only 25 application forms and 17 pictures out of the 32 altar servers who were present during the investiture? What happened? During our practices for the rite of investiture and renewal, many were absent. Did you forget that you were the ones who chose the date of those practices? More so, many of those who were present were playing even in front of the altar to the extent that I asked one of you to lead the group in taking a “bow” after the rite in order to satisfy his desire to be noticed by many. I will not forget as well that a number of you were drinking coke inside the Church describing himself as “natutuyo na po ako!”. While I muse over those experiences, mind you, I cannot control myself from laughing because I already imbibed the common line “Brother, ganyan talaga! Mga bata yan eh!”.

September 25 and 26 were the days jam-packed with events. That was the date when PYM had an overnight retreat with me. The following day, nevertheless, was supposed to be the “big day” for the KOA, I was caught by numerous surprises behind our preparations... I mean one after the other... There was an absentee who was supposed to be there, there was somebody present there whom I saw for the first time after all the meetings, there were bloopers caused by no less than the persons who were playing around during practices. I was indeed surprised that I told myself: “gusto ko matunaw sa hiya!" One thing, however, that I did not take as a surprise was the reaction of Fr. Neil. It was not surprising at all; perhaps if I were in his place I will also react that way.

I know that many of you garnered a hard feeling when I got mad on that same night. I don’t blame you. In fact, I thank those who took courage to approach me to explain their side and to say sorry as much, you are forgiven though! Meanwhile, I humbly admit my fault especially when I called you as “mga tanga”. Back then, I was no longer speaking as a seminarian, whom you are expecting to be meek, soft-spoken, and good at all times. I was speaking then, however, as a human being... a very tired and disappointed formator. I humbly beg for your pardon because that particular part of my piece was not true. The truth is that you are all intelligent and good, so much that I was hurt when you don’t use those “powers” to prove that you can do something more than computer games, absences and complaints on meetings, bloopers during the special rite, failure to show up on your schedule, and a lot more. At one hand, I am no longer angry! I want to clarify that to all of you. On the other hand, I exhort all of you to ponder upon these thoughts; including myself and your parents too...

1. Why is it so easy for us to demand from priests (and even from priests-to-be) to become "good models" but we when are the ones demanded to become "good followers", we respond with no other than our resounding "REKLAMO"! Why?

2. Is reason like “ganyan talaga! Mga bata yan eh!” be the best answer when we notice the deterioration of values among the young? Bakit? Wala na bang naituturo ang mga magulang dahil lang sa “mga bata yan”? If disciplinary problems are rampant with the students of Catholic and exclusive schools, what more can we expect from those who did not get any education?

Until when should reasons like “ganyan talaga! Mga bata yan eh!” be effective? What if they grow old undisciplined because they are tolerated now? If that happens, I will not be surprised if I will hear reasons like “ganyan talaga! Mga bata pa lang sila, ganyan yan eh!” I hope not!

Dear friends, don’t get me wrong! I told you, I’m no longer angry. I am just sharing my thoughts in the light of reflections, thus without any hard feeling at all. In fact, I am enjoying my last days in your parish seeing that many youth are still responding well to the invitations of the Church. What a hope!

I am praying that the Lord may lead us to the fulfilment of our goal to serve His altar with committed hearts. Rest assured that I will always be your “Kuya Julius” who praise you when you accomplish your duties, who go round the bend when you fail, and who admit my fault in humility when I know I hurt you. Salamat sa karanasan! PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TOO!

I would candidly crack once again my closing joke during our last practice: “Now you are happy because I am leaving. Yes, you are now free again! But, please do not celebrate that much because soon I’ll be back... as you parish priest!” Please keep in touch! I hope good Catholics would bloom from your group and vocation to priesthood would resound to your hearts... Let’s make these happen. Let it be now!

In the Lord,

BRO. JULIUS DE SAGUN

Disclamer of Bishop Odchimar on the Issue of Pres. Aquino's Excommunication

I deny the news report aired in TV network this evening that I threatened President Aquino with excommunication in the interview with Radio Veritas this morning. While the prevailing... ...sentiment of a number of bishops was that of dismay and frustration over the reported stance of the President regarding artificial contraceptives, imposition of the canonical sanction has not been contemplated by the CBCP.

I stated that the initial approach of this issue is to be in the spirit of dialogue and not of confrontation. Threat of excommunication at this point of time can hardly be considered to be in line with dialogue. I maintained that the traditional position of the Church is that human life starts at conception and not at implantation. Some contraceptive pills and devices are abortifacient. Any completed act to expel or kill the fertilized ovum is considered to be an act of abortion.

I went on to say that the penalty of excommunication is meted out to the principals and accomplices of abortion when certain conditions are verified. Canon Law and Morals demand that the sanction is imposed under moral immutability of the sinner. The Church intervenes in this issue because this is a moral question. Among other things this concerns the right to life particularly of the unborn child in the mother’s womb. The bishops support the initiatives of the laymen to protest the passage of the RH bill. When asked whether the bishops will participate in mass action, I replied that we would be considering our options what steps to take when we have to cross the bridge.

+NEREO P. ODCHIMAR, DD,
Bishop of Tandag, CBCP President
30 September 2010

"Better than I"

I was trying to catch the message of this music video. Honestly, I seldom appreciate animated clips and films but this one... mind you... made my day complete!





This cartoon clip is "FOR ADULTS... ALSO!"

Panuntunan sa Buhay...

mayroon akong 5 panuntunan sa buhay... prinsipyo.., yung tipong napapagnilayan ko lang kapag nasa kagipitan... tulad ngayon!!!





una: matakot sa Diyos!

pangalawa: mangarap! mangarap! at muling mangarap!

ikatlo: magsikap na tuparin ang pangarap!

ikaapat: sundin ang kalooban, wag ang iba... kasi hindi sila ang mahihirapan sakaling magkamali ka!

ikalima: 'wag makialam sa iba!

MASTURBATION AND PREMARITAL SEX: THEIR MORAL PROBLEMS AND THE STANCE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

by JULIUS DE SAGUN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Preface

Chapter 2: A Situationer: The Elation in Masturbation and Premarital Sex

2.1 Masturbation
2.2 Pre-marital Sex

Chapter 3: The Moral Problem in Masturbation and Premarital Sex

3.1 Masturbation Condemned
3.2 Sex: Proper to Married People Alone

Chapter 4:The Theological Response of the Church: Towards a “Theology of the Body”

4.1 Necessary Affirmation of Man’s corporeality
4.2 The Dignity of the Human Body
4.3 The Body: Temple of the Holy Spirit

Chapter5:Conclusion
5.1 Theological Reflection
5.2 Summary


Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω


CHAPTER I
1.0 PREFACE


1.1 INTRODUCTION

“Sex” is always an interesting matter yet, as a topic, it is always perceived by many as taboo. Remember: “To the pure, everything is pure but to the impure, nothing is pure.” (cf. Titus 1:15)

In a world wrapped in tensions brought about by poverty of all kinds, natural calamities, and social oppressions, people cannot help but look for way out of their miseries. For some who have no possible way to escape from the trouble, they just look for some temporary remedies that can make them feel better off at least for a dumpy moment. Some people resort to vices like smoking, alcoholism, gambling, etc. Some others, however, resort to sexual acts as quick relief for tension.

The Catholic Church in her teachings, at one hand, resolves to oppose the practice of all kinds of “sexual misconducts”. Moreover, many people, even baptized Catholics, still engage into practice of sex outside marriage and masturbation (apart from other forms of sexual acts), believing that these are just natural for human maturity and growth. Where then does the problem lie, such that the Catholic Church lingers in opposition to premarital sex and masturbation, no matter how pleasurable it shows?

The option of the researcher to write on this topic is rooted on his longing to understand “sex” and “sexuality” in the light of priestly life. Along with it is his desire to understand sex outside marriage and masturbation in the context of celibacy and chastity which are demanded by Catholic Priesthood. The complexity of the thoughts of Moral Theology, however, particularly in the realm of Sexual Ethics cannot all be contained in this brief study. If the student-researcher will try to do so, he may not be able to express the depth of such theological thought, which had been developed and continuously developing in Catholic Church’s whole existence.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In his research, the student-researcher will try to spot the problems on the phenomenon of masturbation and pre-marital sex, as specified by the Catholic Church through Moral Theology.

Hence, the student-researcher will answer the following questions in his research:

1.2.1 What makes Masturbation and Premarital Sex Moral Problem?
1.2.2 What is the response of the Catholic Church to these moral problems?


1.3 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The student-researcher will try to analyze the theological points of Moral Theology that qualifies masturbation and pre-marital sex as moral problem. This study will not focus solely on the psychological development of man that affects his sexual behavior. Rather, it will analyze Church’s consciousness of realities on the lives of the people engaged in the problem at hand. Hence, the student-researcher will focus his study mainly on the analysis of the problem along with the response of the Church on the matter.


1.4 RATIONALE
The research seeks to expose some realities that are being experienced by the common people – as they grow as “sexual beings”. In the light of Moral Theology, this research seeks to evaluate the problem of masturbation and pre-marital sex along with the response of the Church on the matter.

Furthermore, this research also serves as a reminder that the theology students’ intellectual interventions in realities are not just confined to the classroom setting, but that these interventions actually make them aware of the common problem faced by many if not all of human beings. Thus, the researcher will know to balance his response when these problems arise both to him and to others too.


CHAPTER II
2.0 A SITUATIONER: THE ELATION IN MASTURBATION AND PRE-MARITAL SEX

“The language of sex is easy to speak but hard to make meaningful!”
- Lester Kierhendall

In order to put the mindset of the audience into context, the author desires to begin with the definition of terms at issue.


2.1 MASTURBATION is a self stimulation of genital organs by means other than intercourse aiming at orgasm (cf. Merriam Webster Dictionary). Those means, for males, are usually by one’s own hands. More so, other parts of the body may be involved especially among females and the use of other objects too. Almost the same as the aforementioned definition, the “cyberspace” commonly known as the internet refers to masturbation as “a sexual stimulation, especially of one's own genitals stimulation performed manually or by other types of bodily contact, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods” (cf. Wikipedia: “Masturbation”)

The studies of Alfred Kinsey, a sociologist, show that 90% of male and 60% of female have tried masturbation sometime in their lifetime. (cf. Kinsey. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, 499 and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, 520.) Frequency of masturbation is determined by many factors, e.g., one's resistance to sexual tension, hormone levels influencing sexual arousal, sexual habits, peer influences, health and one's attitude to masturbation formed by culture. More so, medical causes have also been associated with masturbation.

Need not to say, masturbation is very much popular to many (if not to all) of young people and old ones alike. It is a quick source of pleasure for a weary body tired in toils and thirsty in flesh. For males, many engage into it thinking that it is a safe way to orgasm without the harm of impregnating a woman. Thus, it is asserted that after experiencing the pleasure of orgasm, the one who did masturbation has no responsibility towards another person, so that it is called “safe”. Masturbation, moreover, can be part of a full repertoire of sexual intercourse. It may be used as an interlude, foreplay, or as an alternative to penetration. For some people, non-penetrative sex or “frottage” is the primary sexual activity of choice above all others. Participants who do not want full sexual intercourse thus still enjoy mutual masturbation.

Mutual masturbation is practiced by people of all sexual orientations. When used as an alternative to penile-vaginal penetration, the goal may be to preserve virginity or to prevent pregnancy. Some people choose it as an alternative to casual sex because it results in sexual satisfaction without actual sex. For some people, masturbating with friends helps lift the stigma they feel surrounding the act. This helps them develop their orgasm, increase its pleasure, and inspires them to masturbate on a more frequent basis.

2.2 PRE-MARITAL SEX (or fornication) is identified as an act of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman occurring before marriage. (cf. Kinsey) More so, premarital sex is generally used in reference to individuals who are presumed not yet of marriageable age, or between adults who will presumably marry eventually, but who are engaging in sexual activity prior to marriage.

Many lovers around the terrain commonly assert that sex is desirable and necessary to prove a relationship to be real and authentic. Premarital sex, as a topic, is always timely. Much as a topic, others would say that it is also a pleasurable act to be performed. Usually, people do not formally learn about it in a classroom setting but on peer conversations. For those who do such act, they share their experience while and after performing such act. As a result, the topic tickles the young minds of their peers who deign to experience the same pleasure which their colleagues enjoyed. The process continues and the topic persistently spread throughout the terrain. Often, this phenomenon is called machismo.


CHAPTER III
3.0 THE MORAL PROBLEM OF MASTURBATION AND PREMARITAL SEX

“The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:13b (NRSV)

This verse proves that exploitation of the body is very much morally unacceptable even in scriptural sense.

The exploitation of the body is an immoral act, a way of going against God’s will and, therefore, a sin. “When sin is defined as a transgression of God’s law, we add that it is a voluntary transgression.” (cf. Piet Schoonenberg. Man and Sin: A Theological View, 16.) Thus, sin is one’s personal and free decision to deviate from the ordination of God and to choose idols. By “idols”, it may refer to man’s choice which opposes God’s design. “As love goes out to God and creation, so sin, which is a denial of love, is also directed against the whole reality of God and his creation, of the world and its God.” (cf. Schoonenberg)

More so, to contextualize the aforementioned claims in this study about the moral problems of masturbation and premarital sex, it is quite important to consider and note the following:


3.1 MASTURBATION CONDEMNED

Many look at masturbation as an alternative to sex. Sexologists regard continual masturbation as a normal outlet for adults in certain circumstances –e.g.: in prison, in the armed forces, on trips away from home and spouse, etc. Thus, masturbation has been a diverting force for suppressed sexual drive. Meanwhile, the same sexologists asserted that “when adults prefer masturbation to normal intercourse, we are dealing with an abnormal situation.” (Wiliam Masters and Virginia Johnstons. Human Sexual Response, 95.) This problem is much seen in a psychological sense.

The Catholic Church condemns the practice of masturbation by saying: “masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action”. (Cathechism of the Catholic Church # 2352)

In the Sacred Scripture, there is no clear and explicit moral prohibition of masturbation in either the Old Testament or the New Testament. However, some moralists see the following Pauline references as the “ultimate scriptural word against masturbation” (Gennaro P. Avvento. Sexuality: A Christian View, 100.):

(1) “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor boy prostitutes… will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6: 9b-10, NAB)
(2) “Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lust of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies.” (Romans 1: 24, NAB)
(3) “Now the works of the flesh are obvious… adultery, impurity… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21, NRSV)

Furthermore, it is quite significant to look at the point of the Second Vatican Council on the matter, it says, “Although it cannot be established that the sacred scripture condemned masturbation by name, the tradition of the Church has rightly taken it to have been condemned by the New Testament when it speaks of ‘uncleanness’ and ‘unchastity’ and other vices contrary to chastity and continence.” (Sacred Congregation on the Doctrines of Faith. Personae Humanae # 8.)

Gennaro P. Avvento, a Catholic moralist, enumerated some of the statements of the Church’s magisterium that condemn masturbation:

(1) Pope Leo IX’s De Malitia Masturbationis: Masturbators should not be admitted to Sacred Orders.
(2) Decree of Sacred Penitentiary, 1904: Masturbatory acts of women during the absence of their husbands are gravely illicit.
(3) Pope Pius XII’s The Christian Education of Youth: Adolescent lapses such as masturbation should be seen as grave faults.
(4) Sacred Congregation for Religious, 1952: Habitual masturbation is an impediment to religious life.
(5) Guide to Formation in Priestly Celibacy, 1974: Masturbation is a sign of sexual imbalance.
(6)Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, Persona Humana, 1975: Masturbation is immoral for all followers of Christ.


Much had been said against the immorality of masturbation. However, it must be clear that immorality of masturbation is viewed in the context of psycho-spiritual realm. As a person grows up and develops physically, masturbation becomes his way of coping to bodily changes and to the challenges of the environment. Masturbation “becomes morally wrong when it becomes psychologically harmful” (cf. Avvetto, 104) and threatening to one’s spirituality due to an abuse of the body.

3.2 SEX: PROPER TO MARRIED PEOPLE ALONE

“It is the human capacity for responsibility and fidelity that makes marriage possible; it is the human inclination to infidelity that makes marriage necessary.”
- Gennaro P. Avvento

Fr. William F. Allen, a sexual ethicist wrote: “Premarital sex exposes [people] to a sort of sexual obsession and deprives [them] of all the superior values outlined in Christian tradition on marriage.” (cf. William F. Allen. Sexuality Summary, 152.) Sexual action done outside marriage is morally unacceptable to the Catholic Church. It is a way of using one another for sexual gratification. Therefore, premarital sex is immoral. The fundamental casual factors of premarital sex are often identified with the following: (1) lack of available courses on sex and family life (or Sex Education); (2) depiction of sex by the media and environment; (3) problems caused by breakdown of family ties which leads to the loss of support structure for a meaningful future.

Another term for premarital sex is fornication that is a practice of “sexual intercourse with mutual consent between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman”. (cf. Avvetto., 118.) “It has viewed that all forms of premarital intercourse as fornication, as violation of personal dignity, as manipulation and hence gravely sinful.” (cf. Avvetto) The Catholic Church condemns such practice, saying: “Fornication is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of the spouses and the generation and education of children.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2353)

The sacred scripture also forbids the practice of premarital sex as indicated by the following:

(1) “If a man has carnal relations with a female slave who has already been living with another man but has not yet been redeemed or given her freedom, they shall be punished...” (Leviticus 19:20, NRSV)
(3) “Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5, NRSV)
It is quite important to recognize that sexual intercourse is an expression of one’s whole being and the deepest core of his or her personality to someone whom he or she has chosen to remain with for the rest of one’s existence. Sex is beautifully willed by God as an expression of union between hearts-in-love yet “sex is prostituted when it becomes a source of self-enslavement and not a growing phase in the total development of mutual concern between two people.” (cf. Bertocci, 131.) Often, spoiling the urges of the flesh moves one to practice sex outside marriage.

“The argument against premarital sex ran as follows; the procreative characteristic of sex requires that the couple be in a permanent set of relationships in order to be able to assume the obligations owed to the potential progeny. This entails stability of their union and exclusive fidelity of one to another.” (cf. Allen., 150.)Such union pertains to marriage. Hence, full intimacy should be reserved for married state that is designed for a lifetime commitment to an exclusive sexual and physical relation.

The Second Vatican Council speaks of human’s sexuality and faculty of reproduction by noting that it wondrously surpassed the endowment of lower forms of life. Vatican II then “dealt one by one with the principles and rules which relate to human sexuality in marriage and which are based on specific purpose of sexuality.” (cf. CDF, Personae Humanae # 5)

“Marriage both encourages and symbolically expresses the growth in unity that the lovers experience in every area of their lives. Sexual intercourse before marriage is no preparation for marriage; it ‘tests’ very little. In a word, a so called ‘marital intercourse’ withdrawn from the real context of marriage is hardly calculated to keep love honest, let alone growing.” (cf. Bertocci, 124.) “In marriage, the physical intimacy of the spouses becomes a sign and pledge of spiritual communion.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2360) Hence, couple should recall the values laid by the Catholic Church and the Sacred Scripture - trust, honesty, fidelity, unity, and integrity - for married life. Then, looking into their hearts, they should ask themselves whether or not these values are being practiced and lived.


CHAPTER IV
4.0 THE THEOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH: TOWARDS THE “THEOLOGY OF THE BODY”

“God created man in his own image, in the image of god he created him,
male and female he created them.”
-Genesis 1: 27

4.1 NECESSARY AFFIRMATION OF MAN’S CORPOREALITY

A Moralist, Andre Guindon writes: “By denying corporeality, human tenderness necessary fights sensuality which will try to ascertain its rights to existence” (cf. The Sexual Language: An Essay in Moral Theology, 90.) Thus, human spirituality cannot be attained when human corporeality is denied. After all, Christianity teaches that human being is composed of both body and spirit. On this point, CCC writes: “the human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal (body) and spiritual (soul).” (CCC # 362, italics mine) For a spirit to be holy, one must also make one’s body holy. Hence, holiness must be found inside and out.

At a hand, Christian morality maintains that performing masturbation and premarital sex is immoral and therefore sinful. It is slavery from flesh and a direct destruction of the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, people should understand that feeling is a significant part of corporeality. The denial of this fact “would go against the explicit article of the Christian Creed” (cf. Guindon, 90.) which affirms both body and spirit as fundament components of human being. Both body and spirit complements each other and nothing goes higher than the other. Therefore, even the “urge” for bodily pleasure is a part of man’s corporeality. It is normal but not to be spoiled. And so, sexual desire must be properly dealt with. Misconception of this fact is dangerous.

Furthermore, in the imbalance prospect on man’s corporeality and spirituality, taking the latter as higher than the former, Paul Ricoeur insightfully claimed that every sexual action would fall short to: 1) meaninglessness of sex; 2) meaningless sex as an answer to existential failure; and 3) quest for sexual fabulousness. (cf. Ricoeur. Wonder, Erotism, and Enigma,133.)

4.2 THE “DIGNITY” OF THE HUMAN BODY

Being created in God’s own image, man receives a dignity higher than other creatures. The Church affirms this, saying: “Being in the image of God, the human individual possesses the dignity of the person, who is not just something, but someone.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 357) More so, the use of the term “image” can be cheaply assumed as the “physical appearance” as though pertaining to body or corpus.

The Catholic Church maintains the Dogma of the Incarnation of Jesus which gives a higher dignity to the human body which Jesus himself possessed upon His incarnation. “In reality, it is only I the mystery of the Word made flesh (incarnation) that the mystery of man becomes clear.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 359, italics mine) Through Jesus’ incarnation, which summit is His crucifixion, man was redeemed from all calumnies and impurities. This point is affirmed by the new CCC, it says: “Christian, recognize your dignity and now that you share in God’s own nature do not return to your former base condition by sinning… Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1691)

Regarding the practice sexual acts, Second Vatican Council declares: “When assessing the propriety of conjugal acts, determining if they accord with true human dignity, it is not enough to take only the good intention and the evaluation of motives into account. Objective criteria must be used: (1) criteria based on the nature of human person and his action; (2) criteria which respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving; (3) and the criteria on human procreation in the context of true love.” (cf. CDF, Personae Humanae # 5)

4.3 HUMAN BODY: TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“The human body shares in the dignity of ‘the image of God’: it is a human body because it is animated by a spiritual soul and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 364) When one becomes a believer, the Holy Spirit becomes a part of himself. The body becomes a container, or a "house," or so to say, a "temple." St. Paul clearly affirms the actual physical body of man as the “Temple of the Holy Spirit”, he says:
“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters’, says the Lord Almighty.” (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, NAB)

With Paul's logic exhorts people to touch not the “unclean things” (this applies to physical uncleanness, such as joining your body with a prostitute, or eating things God has declared unclean, and it also applies to the spiritual standing, don't partake of the doctrines of demons). More so, Paul expressed here that God care about humans’ weak and fragile body as the scripture tells.

There are people who opt to offer their whole body to God alone by preserving purity and chastity. “Chastity… is not sensitively defined in terms of whether a person has or has not had sexual intercourse. Chastity basically consists in the motivation and practice that keep sex from being self-centered and self-indulgent and that constantly dedicates it to the growth of the value. Chastity must be protected within the marriage bond as well as outside it.” (Bertocci. Sex, Love, and the Person, 130.) Conversely, St. Paul warns those who do otherwise by performing any malicious acts that obliterates the human body, he says:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.”
(cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, NAB)

God purposefully and purposely created people instituted His eternal laws to ensure that His creations would not fail. God was angered when man; being fallible creations, tripped over God’s will (cf. Genesis 3). Then, Jesus, the "Son of God" came along and fixed everything. He cleaned up the mess that man did against His Father’s will, at the cost of his own life. This is the way Jesus’ redeemed man from the power of sin, even from slavery from sexual misconducts.

The scriptures, being God's Word, tells man how to please God by obeying His will and doing what is appropriate for one’s body and soul. False teachings that say that it is fine to be a "carnal" alone approve a defiler, reprobate, delinquent or lascivious view of life. For God, it matters what man does with his body.


CHAPTER V
5. 0 CONCLUSION

5.1 THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Being true to the objective of doing this study - that is to understand “sex” and “sexuality” in the light of priestly life along with it is his desire to understand sex outside marriage and masturbation in the context of “celibacy” and “chastity” which are the fundamental demands of the Catholic Priesthood (cf. Introduction), the researcher desires then to close this with his theological reflection on the matter.

Ω Ω Ω

“My Call: Live a Pure Life”

God calls us in different state: in married life, single blessedness, or in celibate life. Celibacy is not for all. It is a particular vocation for those who deemed to follow Christ in the consecrated life. Thus, it is a charism – a gift from God. Furthermore, celibacy is an abstention from sexual relations, or so to say; the state of being unmarried. Particularly, the consecrated persons: priests, nuns, and religious have to be healthy celibates for they are called to be engaged with God and His people alone. Most of the time, people connects celibacy with the issue of “sex”. This is the very reason why celibacy appears not so pleasing in the modern times. In fact, a very few number of young people are choosing this as their way to sanctity. It is as though many cases of sexual misconduct of the consecrated people can be blamed upon the rising of their idea about sex and the lack of right knowledge of it.

On the other hand, some of the young people are engaged in sexual activities at their early age. They are comfortable in speaking of things regarding their sexual experiences only to their colleagues at their age. Usually, the youth are hesitant to talk about such topics with the authoritative figure who can give them right information about sex and sexuality. It is because they are afraid of reprimands, disciplinary actions, and judgments from authorities like parents and formators. This fear is rooted from the belief that “sex” is bad. It is also true as in the cases of many young candidates to priesthood and even to a few numbers of ordained pastors. This case challenges the Church and its promotion of vocations among the youth. Moreover, it must be clear to the young people that the openness of their mind about sex is not to be faced through trial. They need to be guided to a proper way of understanding their sexuality.

“The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal and supernatural fecundity of marriage, by which the children of god are born, not by flesh and blood.” For somebody living out celibacy, it simply means: (1)...that the development of full humanity is more important than genital expression; (2)...that there are more important thing than sexual potency; (3)...that self-transcendence is more fully human than self-fulfillment.

This is the only way to make the ministers of the church healthy celibates. Good thing, the church has opened its doors in addressing this issue. In fact, many formation houses and seminaries are now open to the issues concerning their candidates’ tensions and conflicts in the area of sex and sexuality. In this regard, the formators are duty-bound to pay special attention to this issue by giving their candidates proper information and knowledge.

To be celibate also means to be empty for God, to be free and open for His presence in many people and to be available for His service. Hence, the choice of celibacy is an act of radical rejection of a number of myths that our society holds as facts: (1)…that genital sex is absolutely necessary for a person to be fully human; (2)…that sexual relation is the only way to insure one against loneliness; (3)…that sexual orgasm and experience of sexual intercourse is the only proof of one’s masculinity or femininity; (4)…and that sexual fulfillment is the ultimate purpose of life.

With celibacy, therefore, one guards himself against all irresponsible use of sexual power whether inside of outside marriage, ordained and lay alike. For after all, even married people can also be chaste.


5.2 SUMMARY

Sexuality is part of man’s nature being a corporeal being (composed of body). This fact is undeniable, as much as soul is to be affirmed as human’s fundamental component. Sensualities, like urges for bodily pleasure, are natural to human body. This urges, however, have to be channeled without deviating from God’s design. Sex for this matter, being a sexual channel, must be done in the context of marriage. Perhaps any sexual act derived from lust, like masturbation, is not morally acceptable.

By definition, masturbation is the self-stimulation of genitals by use of one’s hands or by other gadgets. Meanwhile, premarital sex is a sexual act between a male and a female outside marriage. Both masturbation and premarital sex are seen as “abnormal” psychological behaviors. This is true, no matter how pleasurable they appear for those who are engaged in it.

More so, masturbation and premarital sex are sinful in the sight of the Catholic Church’s teachings. .The Church asserts that performing such acts is a mistreatment of the human body which has the dignity given upon his creation by God Himself. Masturbation and premarital sex both ravage the human body – the “Temple of the Holy Spirit”. God deserve but a pure and clean body as His “temple”. These prove that masturbation and premarital sex are both immoral – better still, they are sins against God’s design.

Oppositions on the practice of such sexual misconducts had been unanimously supported by the pillars of the Catholic Church namely: Sacred Scripture (although not explicit), Tradition, and Magisterium.









LIST OF REFERENCES


BOOKS (BIBLIOGRAPHY):

Allen, William F. Sexuality Summary. Ohio: Alba Communications, 1977.

Avvento, Gennaro P. Sexuality: A Christian View. Connecticut: Twenty-third, 1984.

Bertocci, Peter A. Sex, Love, and the Person. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1967.

Guindon, Andrei. The Sexual Language: An Essay in Moral Theology. Ottawa: University of Ottawa, 1976.

Kinsey, Alfred. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1948.

____________. Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1953.

Masters, Wiliam and Johnstons, Virginia. Human Sexual Response. (Boston:
Little, Brown, & Co., 1969), 95.

Paul Ricoeur. Wonder, Erotism, and Enigma. New York: Harper and Row, 1964.

Schoonenberg, Piet. Man and Sin: A Theological View. Indiana: University of Notre Dame, 1965.

Turner, Philip. Sex, Money and Power. Cambridge: Cowley, 1985.



CHURCH DOCUMENTS:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,



ENCYCLICAL LETTER:

Pope Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus.

Sacred Congregation on the Doctrines of Faith. Personae Humanae.

SACRED SCRIPTURES:

New American Bible

New Revised Standard Version

...back when I was small!

NAMING MY "TOP TEN REGRETS"

AUGUST 19, 2010

10. If I had a choice, (this one, I will always have!) I might have not entertained any of my regrets! Kasi, this time I have more courage to set foot on the ground all new to my being! My regrets from the past are "blessings" for my future... I realized: "With God, no regrets!" YAhoooo!... (- end of top 10 regrets list -)

9. If I had a choice, (kaso di na mabawi eh!) I might have inquired about the fare cost from Masinag to Katipunan. Kasi, all those months I paid P16, pero P12 lang pala... (Kapag kulang ang bayad galit ang driver, pero pag labis patay-malisya naman! Madugas ang amfp!)

8. If I had a choice, (kaso wala eh!) I might have not enrolled the courses being taught by boring professors. Kasi sinasabihan ako ng doktor na may "insomnia" pag di makatulog sa gabi! (Ang totoo, I had enough sleep naman during daytime... sa classroom! LOL!)

7. If I had a choice, I might have paid for my SSS contribution 2 years earlier! Kasi sana makakapag LOAN nako ngayong taon, sayang!... (Note: better to avail LOANs than to wait for my pension when I reach 65 yo,. kasi 41 years pa hintayin! Buti yung iba jan, malapit na! haha)

AUGUST 18, 2010

6. If I had a choice, (this one I could have next time) I might have slept earlier. Kasi kung anu-anong pumapasok sa isip ko ngayon... delikado! (Dont get this wrong: "Pleasure is everywhere though... FB is a good souce of it! LOL") It's my choice to go to bed now!

5. If I had a choice (of course, I never had!), I might have named myself "John". Kasi my birthday is St. John's feast day! A holy man! (yung kapangalan man lang ay banal! Kasi yung Julius... asus!)

4. If I had a choice, I might have eaten more squash! Kasi it is very hard to depend on eye glasses! Kahit kaharap na, di pa din nakikita! Losser talaga! (yung iba na nagsusuot ng eye glasses para magpa-cute, sana sila na lang malabo mata! LOL)

3. If I had a choice (certainly, I had!), I might have eaten less and worked out more when I was younger! Kasi mahirap pala pag tumatanda na mataba! Eternal Realization: Diet is a myth!

2. If I had a choice (of course, I had!), I might have not registered myself in this "addictive" FACEBOOK! (booh!) Kasi there is no such thing as "Online Pastoral Year" or "cyber-apostolate"! Presence is always the best!

1. If I had a choice, I might have entered into a Minor Seminary 11 years ago... as young as 12 years old!

CHASTITY: MY VOCATION

God calls us in different state: in married life, single blessedness, or in celibate life. Celibacy is not for all. It is a particular vocation for those who deemed to follow Christ in the consecrated life. Thus, it is a charism – a gift from God. Furthermore, celibacy is an abstention from sexual relations, or so to say; the state of being unmarried. Particularly, the consecrated persons: priests, nuns, and religious have to be healthy celibates for they are called to be engaged with God and His people alone.

Most of the time, people connects celibacy with the issue of “sex”. This is the very reason why celibacy appears not so pleasing in the modern times. In fact, a very few number of young people are choosing this as their way to sanctity. It is as though many cases of sexual misconduct of the consecrated people can be blamed upon the rising of their idea about sex and the lack of right knowledge of it.

On the other hand, some of the young people are engaged in sexual activities at their early age. They are comfortable in speaking of things regarding their sexual experiences only to their colleagues at their age. Usually, the youth are hesitant to talk about such topics with the authoritative figure who can give them right information about sex and sexuality. It is because they are afraid of reprimands, disciplinary actions, and judgments from authorities like parents and formators. This fear is rooted from the belief that “sex” is bad. It is also true as in the cases of many young candidates to priesthood and even to a few numbers of ordained pastors. This case challenges the Church and its promotion of vocations among the youth. Moreover, it must be clear to the young people that the openness of their mind about sex is not to be faced through trial. They need to be guided to a proper way of understanding their sexuality.

“The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal and supernatural fecundity of marriage, by which the children of god are born, not by flesh and blood.” (cf. Pope Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus, 24 June 1967) For somebody living out celibacy, it simply means: (1)...that the development of full humanity is more important than genital expression; (2)...that there are more important thing than sexual potency; (3)...that self-transcendence is more fully human than self-fulfillment.

This is the only way to make the ministers of the church healthy celibates. Good thing, the church has opened its doors in addressing this issue. In fact, many formation houses and seminaries are now open to the issues concerning their candidates’ tensions and conflicts in the area of sex and sexuality. In this regard, the formators are duty-bound to pay special attention to this issue by giving their candidates proper information and knowledge.

To be celibate also means to be empty for God, to be free and open for His presence in many people and to be available for His service. Hence, the choice of celibacy is an act of radical rejection of a number of myths that our society holds as facts: (1)…that genital sex is absolutely necessary for a person to be fully human; (2)…that sexual relation is the only way to insure one against loneliness; (3)…that sexual orgasm and experience of sexual intercourse is the only proof of one’s masculinity or femininity; (4)…and that sexual fulfillment is the ultimate purpose of life.

With celibacy, therefore, one guards himself against all irresponsible use of sexual power whether inside of outside marriage, ordained and lay alike. For after all, even married people can also be chaste.

Dialogue: A Common Mission of All Religions

ABSTRACT:
Dialogue with our neighbors of other faiths is the only way we can continue our works of human promotion and human rights. To refuse relationships with other religions is to invite suspicion, enmity and fear. Even if ours is the most noble and humanitarian cause, we cannot expect that all our neighbors of other faiths will perceive it that way.

REALITY:
An interreligious dialogue is often misconceived as intellectual discussions amongst scholars. However, the term could also mean "interreligious relations" or "interreligious cooperation." In other words, what is prescribed is not just about academic discourses but about genuine interactions, relationships and partnerships with other religions. For that to become a reality, the respective players have to take some basic steps. More so, Christian religions must open up to the possibility of an inter-religious dialogue to promote solidarity among religions.

REFLECTION:
Christian religions do not bind in solidarity with other religions is because of superiority complex. Often, Christians think that they are no longer in need of integrating with other faith. The classical adage, “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” turned to be arrogant because the Church itself also needs to be saved. Thus, Christianity must humbly recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded for salvation. More so, unity among all the peoples is necessary because of the belief that all will return to one and the same God, whatever name He might be called.

RESPONSE:
Therefore, it must be regarded that religions are legitimate means of salvation, but that ultimately this salvation is brought about through God’s might through human cooperation. All religions have an equally deep faith. We thus approach every other faith and its adherents reverently through “dialogue“, having God as the absolute center of such relationship which aims at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. This must be rooted in the conviction that even though religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.


CONCLUSION:
Furthermore, while remaining faithful to the traditions of our respective religions; the Religions in the world have opted to place priority on the dialogue in their mission. For, only through a dialogue will the Religions discover what it means to be truly Religious as well as truly human related to each other. For instance, by way of dialogue, the Church will be able to baptize people in the Jordan of world’s religiousness as well as to pass through the Calvary of world’s poor. Thus, only then will the Church truly inculturate and be able to walk the Emmaus of the world’s cultural matrix as one of her very own. Such is the mission of religions in the world.

The God-Problem: Why Does He Allow Natural Disasters?

History would tell us that natural disasters are not new to our country. Year after year, many lives and possessions are being either ruined or sternly affected by successive natural disasters such as earthquake, landslide, hail storm, typhoon, volcanic eruption, and the like - not noting yet their strength, gustiness, or magnitude . When such disasters come, it is not an issue whether you are rich or poor, young or old, man or woman in order to get spared from its force. Nobody draws exempted from its effect.

Our natural pursuit for “order” is innate in us and any chaos is unacceptable, be it in the environment or in other field. This explains why when natural disasters hit us, the situation is found uneasy and people commonly ask - if God loves his creatures, why does He allow natural disasters to hit us? It comes so easy for the people to blame God for the harsh fate of many houses being drowned in mud and flood during typhoons, or the lands covered by lava during volcanic eruptions, or the agricultural areas bunged by loam on the hillside during landslides, and the like adverse effects of calamities. However, people seldom ask themselves of their contribution on such throbbing tragedies brought about by their irresponsible stewardship over the earth. Yes, environmental phenomena will come and we do not have any control over it. But, human beings can lessen its effect.

It is quite significant here to go back to God’s command to human beings in Gen 1:28: “Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over all the living things.” This command speaks of responsibility over the earth which God placed in the hands of human beings. Thus, it carries out the duty to take care of the earth, to make it fruitful and NOT TO ABUSE the environment. Sadly, human beings do the latter, most often than not. When we look around us, we will notice the grave abuses of human beings in the environment. The forest degradation, quarrying and mismanaged wastes speak of it.

However, while many languish because of ruthless effects of the disasters, still many exult for being spared from it. The latter, however, must express their joy not just by mere saying: “Thank you, Lord for sparing us from the calamity.” More so, they must add: “Since you have been kind by sparing us, teach me to be kind too to my brethren who were less fortunate. Allow me to help them, Lord.” Hence, every time when natural calamities take place is an opportune time to lend hands and to share what we preserve with those who were unfortunate enough for not being able to save anything from the disaster. After all, it still pays to re-echo the well-known Filipino song which says: “Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang. Walang sinuman ang namamatay para sa sarili lamang. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa.” (Nobody lives for himself alone. Nobody perishes for himself alone. All of us are accountable for each other.) If we face disasters and our fellows seem not to care, then that would be the worst disaster that has come our way.

Natural phenomena, therefore, are not purely disastrous. It should not be seen as purely God’s fury that leads human beings to doom due to wickedness. These could also be seen otherwise - as God’s way of uniting the apparently divided Filipino people. Of course, the experience of loss of lives and hardly-earned possessions is painful. But in the long run, we will realize that there is a grace behind loss and a reason why God allows natural disasters: first is the lesson of valuing the environment; the second is the message that despite the development of science and technology, we still do not have full control over everything and thus, we still need God; and the third is to let us relive the spirit that binds us as Filipinos… bayanihan!(helping others in dire need)

Ecumenical Stance: My Comment on the Fact that the Catholic Church has not yet joined the National Council of Churches in Some Countries

Reality:
It was confirmed that in some countries, the local Catholic Church has not yet joined the National Council of Churches. This council is the association of different faith denominations which are aiming at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. It is rooted in the belief that even though different religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.


Reflection:
It might be possible that the reason why the local Catholic Church in some countries does not join the National Council of Churches is rooted in pride. The leaders of those local Churches think that they are self-sufficient and no longer in need of integrating with other faith. Even history, one can notice such inward attitude of the Catholic Church upon reflecting on the ecclesiological formula of St. Cyprian - outside the Church there is no salvation. According to David Bosch, a missiologist: “The classical Catholic adage, extra ecclesiam nulla salus (“outside the church no salvation”) seemed to have been turned into its opposite –inside the church there is no salvation.”

This assumption is being criticized by the ecumenical conferences in Uppsala (1968) and Bangkok (1973). They say that the Church is arrogant in this expression because the Church itself is also needs to be saved. These conferences proposed that there should be no assumption that salvation is offered to those who are baptized in the Catholic Church alone. Otherwise, the Church might come to be introvert, self-centered and inward-looking.

Another possible reason is the cost of membership in the National Council of Churches. In the favorable note for the Catholic Church, it might also be possible that the membership in NCC is expensive and unaffordable for the local Church.


Response:
The Catholic Church must go back to Jesus Christ. Thus, there is a need to be humble, as Jesus is its model. Hence, the Catholic Church must also recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded by heaven. This is also proposed by the Declaration on Ecumenism of Pope Paul VI: NOSTRA AETATE. Herein, the Catholic Church is being demanded to be united with all people, even with those in different religions. Unity is necessary because of the fact that they will all return to one and the same God.

Therefore, there is nothing wrong if all the local Catholic Churches around the world will join the National Council of Churches.

EMBASSMENT (piece delivered in our homiletics class)

1. ASSERTION:
We should be meek and unassuming at all times.


2. STORY-TELLING:
I was not yet a diocesan seminarian of Imus when I had my first chance to meet the prestigious and well-known bishop of Imus, Msgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D. Not so long ago, I was just hearing his name on the account of his brilliant homilies and peerless teaching skill. Likewise, I see him most often on his television shows. I could hardly forget my longing back then to see Bishop Tagle in person for the simple reason that I never admire anybody the way I admired him.

My desire was realized when I had my exposure program in a parish in Cavite while I was still applying in the diocese. My parish priest was invited by Bishop Tagle for a dinner in a good restaurant to settle some things over the table. Very timely, the priest asked me to accompany him in going out with the bishop. At first, I acted as if I was not willing to join them by saying so many reasons which in fact are all lies. The truth was, even if they don’t invite me, I planned to insist myself in going out with them. That is how I describe my frustration back then to meet my idol. I succeeded, anyway.

The awaited night came. I wore the best clothes in my closet, best pair of shoes in the rack, and sprayed the most expensive perfume that I ever got in my life. I could not draw and well imagine the excitement beaming in me on that moment. My parish priest and I left right away to fetch the bishop in Imus. Upon the Bishop’s boarding, I was on a star-struck that I could no longer speak. When he talked to me, I tried to answer politely anything that he said. I felt so fulfilled and happy until when we arrived in our destination.

At the restaurant, the porters recognized the Bishop right away that they opened the door of the car to warmly welcome him. Thinking that porter will do the same for me, I waited for a moment for them to open the door beside me. But they never did, so I opened the door and got out of the car in my own risk. Jokingly, I told the Bishop of what I thought of but he just laughed. The bishop then was warmly greeted by the people who recognized him. I also smiled and nod my head before the people but they did not mind me. Upon entering the restaurant, Bishop Tagle and my parish priest entered right away without passing over the guard’s safety check. Thinking again that the guard will also let me pass, I followed the Bishop outright. But to my dismay, I was stopped by the guard and was asked to go back to the main door for checking. With disappointment, I said: “I am with Bishop Tagle, why do I have to pass this checkpoint?” and the guard replied with a degrading smile.

I tried hard not to feel bad but I felt so dismayed and just wished that I should have not joined them in that spree. The dismay subsided when we had a dinner over the fine carte du jour and I had a good conversation with my idol whom, I realized, is indeed a brilliant and a simple person. From time to time, other guests in the restaurant are coming close to the Bishop to greet him. But, there was this certain group of not-so-aged people who came to the Bishop for a picture taking. Thinking then that I might get embarrassed if they will not ask me to join them in their picture taking, I excused myself and intended to cope as if going to the wash room. But to my surprise, one of those among the group asked me to stay foot for a while. I said “ok” and I posed with the group ready for the picture taking. I gave my best smile that the camera could capture. Meanwhile, the person whom I thought was the one to take the picture placed the camera on the table and said “You” pointing her fingers to me, “come and take a picture for us!” I did not know how I would react. My joy and smile was changed with cursing face. Well, I still tried to enjoy that humiliating night because of the rare chance to meet my idol. However, that experience made me realize that too much assumptions and pretentions would not always bring out the best upshot.

3. ASSERTION:
Indeed, we should remain meek and unassuming at all times.

Suffering

There are so many people dying of hunger, sickness, poverty, oppression, etc. For sure, God is never happy seeing his people suffering. However, I still want to know why God – all merciful and loving – allows many people get drowned to different kinds of suffering. This question always comes to my mind every time I see my countrymen suffering from poverty.

The world tends to define poverty and riches simply in terms of economics. That is the easiest way to look at it. However, we need to broaden that definition. For us Filipinos, poverty is a state characterized by lack of means. The poor person then is one who either temporarily or permanently finds herself or himself in a situation of weakness, dependence, and humiliation. The poor then does not have the means to accomplish the end that they desire. The scriptures promise that God will take care of such people, because they have to rely on him for they have no one else to rely on.

With the situation of poverty, who then is at fault? Poor person may themselves be to blame for their poverty to some degree. An author, Dorothy Day wisely said, “What the Gospels forever takes away from Christians is the right to judge between the worthy and the unworthy poor.” When we sit in judgment, we stand aloof and apart. If we critique who is unworthy or worthy, our criteria will always e cultural and too often self-interested.

A person might be at fault to some extent. But we should also realize that poverty is an oppression with which one surrenders after repeatedly being put down. People who have never been in this downtrodden situation can be very unsympathetic. Those who are in the higher economic status could easily characterize the poor people unmotivated and lazy. The poor then have nobody to turn to. This state is often called “victim behavior.” Those who do not experience such poverty could never understand this behavior of the oppressed for such does not fit their criteria. Hence, they misinterpret and misjudge everything the disadvantaged do.

SUFFERING caused by poverty then is undesirable and the behavior of the oppressed is deadly. But one thing is for sure, God will never abandon the poor as He had promised in the scriptures.

An Open Letter: My Sentiments on My Confessor's Death

Dear Former Colleagues:

God is good! It was evident when He gave us our beloved Fr. Giuseppe Aveni, who is known to many of us as a “living saint”. Now that Fr. Aveni is gone, it is not only your religious family that mourns... we are with you!.. we, who left your religious community for a reason or another, yet having in our hearts the ROGATE even beyond the walls of FHFC! You and I know that Fr. Aveni is a big loss not only to the Rogationists but to the entire Church as well!

Despite all these, Fr. Aveni’s death was also used by God for us (ex-rogationist seminarians) to get reunited with the seminary where we had too many unforgettable moments. As we were sharing thoughts among ourselves, we affirm that it is a lot different now to set foot to the ground that we once swept, to the Chapel where we bid many of our prayers, to the corridor where we usually ran to go to confession with Fr. Aveni right after dinner. It’s undeniable! Fr. Aveni’s death made the difference!

While we are sad, we are all challenged by Fr.Aveni’s life and death to likewise live out holiness having himself as our new model (along with St. Hannibal) and ROGATE remains as our moving force! The challenge to be “holy apostles” is for all... priests and unordained, Rogationists and non-RCJs alike. It is forever valid!

In prayer, I remain!

Julius

The Dawn of Change... The Advent of Hope (Witnessing the Oath-taking of Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III)

Today comes the moment that nobody thought would come. The duly elected President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, is sworn into office. The voices of the Filipino people which were unheard by the past regime are now in its advent of being heard and considered. The event really calls for a celebration, isn’t it? “The day conquered the night”, as a hopeful catholic would put it.

I was a first hand witness of the event. Early in the morning of June 30, I headed straight to the Manila Cathedral for the Eucharistic Celebration and press conference organized by Radio Veritas and CBCP. During the mass, Cardinal Rosales stressed that Pres. Aquino must see the situation of the common people not by statistical reports but by sight. True enough! I had a chance to visit a number of provinces in the Philippines. In the urban areas, one will know that the current TV commercial on infrastructures funded by Former President GMA was at all true. However, many places are still backward in terms of industrial development. In the far flung areas, behind the cities (call it “rural” if you like), one will get disappointed with the roads not even touched by asphalt in a backhoe, without forgetting the situation of the people living therein. In this matter alone, we will realize that statistics is at times partial. That point, however, is the same point that Cardinal Rosales requested the new president to consider.

Luneta Park was my next stop on that day. Some blocks away from the venue of the oath-taking, people could hardly find a space to walk in or even to park a vehicle. It was chock-full of people from all walks of life. Politicians, celebrities, church men, media teams, and common people walk together toward the venue. It was surprising to see!

The best part was the arrival of the incoming and outgoing Presidents to the venue riding on a single vehicle. I take it as a sign of hope for the opposites parties to unite although many explains that those were all for formality. Songs that express nationalism were rendered by chosen popular singers. The most touching song was that of Noel Cabangon that depicts the qualities of a “Mabuting Pilipino”. Cabangon made all the people, including the VIPs, stood up with their right hand raised as though swearing that they will do what the song’s lyrics state.

The oath-taking was all the more startling! Many people shouted for joy after President Aquino took the highest post in the government as expressed by his swearing in. He’s speech was mordantly delivered for the enemies of the Republic but would enliven any heart that longs for hope! I became a little emotional when I saw the new president took his first march as the president of the Republic. In my heart, I say that the long time of slavery is over! The voiceless will now be heard. It’s the moment of freedom for me and for all the Filipino people... I hope!

On one hand, I am hoping and praying that Pres. Aquino will not turn down the 15 Million people who placed him into office. On the other hand, the Filipino people (including myself) must support him not just at heart but by deeds and simple efforts to meet what we hope for.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pangulong Noynoy!

“Wikang Filipino: Dangal ng Bawat Pilipino…”

Mayroon bang puwang sa Mundo para sa wikang Filipino? O mayroon bang puwang sa mundo para man lang sa mga Pilipino?

Sa mga pagkakataon na ang Pilipino ay nangingibang-bansa, sinisikap natin na pag-aralan at matutunan ang wika ng bansang ating pinuntahan. Marahil ito ang ating paraan ng pagpapakita ng pag-galang sa wikang banyaga sa panahon na tayo ay maituturing na mga dayuhan sa kanilang bansa. Ganyan ang Pinoy… magalang! Pero bakit kaya dito sa Pilipinas, kapag mayroong mga dayuhan sinisikap pa rin ng mga Pilipino ang mag-salita ng Ingles o anumang wika na kaya nating bigkasin batay sa kung saan mang bansa nagmula ang dayuhan? Paraan ba ito ng ating mainit na pagtanggap sa mga dayuhan? Sino ba ang dapat na makibagay sa wika ng kinaroroonang bansa?

Sa totoo lang, sa ganitong pagkakataon napapatunayan ng mga Pilipino ang ating galing sa pagkatuto at pagsasalita ng iba’t ibang wika. Sa pamamagitang ng pagsasalita ng wikang banyaga, tumataas ang ating estadong panlipunan sapagkat tanging mga edukado lamang ang nakapagsasalita ng wikang banyaga. Ngunit dapat din nating ipagmakapuri ang ating sariling wika sa mga banyaga sa loob ng ating bansa. Dapat natin nsilang hayaan na matuto ng ating wika at gamitin ito habang sila ay nakiki-panuluyan sa ating bansa. Katulad ng ating tiwala sa kakayahan ng lahing Pilipino, dapat din tayong magtiwala na mayroong dangal ang wikang Filipino. Ngunit, paano nga ba ang magtiwala?

Sa kasalukuyan, kung kailan dama ng bawat isa ang pagkakaiba-iba sa estado, kultura, at maging sa wika… marahil, hindi nga madali ang magtiwala! Marami ang nagsasabi na langit at lupa ang pagitan ng mahirap at mayaman, may pinag-aralan at mangmang, o may kapangyarihan at ordinaryong mamamayan. Marahil tama nga sila! Kung ikukumpara lamang natin ang ating pansariling estado, kultura, at wika sa ating kapwa… magkakaiba-iba nga tayo! At sa pagkakaiba-iba, napakahirap nang magtiwala pa!

Subalit hindi dito nagtatapos ang lahat. May pag-asa pa! Sa halip na malungkot tayo dahil sa pagkakaiba-iba, mas mabuting tingnan natin ang bawat isa sa aspeto na nagbubuklod sa atin bilang isang lahing Pilipino… ang ating wika… Filipino.

Kung tutuusin, parang marami na sa atin ang tumatalikod sa ating wika. Sa dami ng mga Pilipino na mas pinipiling manirahan sa ibang bansa dahil sa hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas, mistulang tumatalikod sila sa ating kultura at wika. Siguro nga! Ngunit ang katotohanang ito ay hindi dapat tingnan lamang sa negatibong paraan. Ang pangingibang-bansa ay hindi laging nangangahulugan ng pagtalikod sa sariling bansa. Sa katunayan, maaring ito ang paraan ng maraming Pilipino sa pagsakop sa mundo. Habang ang ibang lahi ay walang humpay sa pagbabawas ng populasyon, ang lahing Pilipino ay dumadami upang magsilbing lakas pag-gawa sa ibang bansa. Wala nga tayong pera kumpara sa ibang bansa! Pero marami ang mga Pilipino na siyang pag-asa ng lakas pag-gawa sa Mundo. Sa bandang huli, anumang layo ang narrating ay uuwi parin sa Pilipinas upang muling yakapin ang kultura at wikang nakatatak na sa ating puso at nagsisilbing hininga ng ating damdamin. Kaya’t walang pagtalikod na naganap. Nananatili tayong Pilipino na nagtitiwala sa ating lahi at wika.

Ngunit, hindi natin maitatanggi na may pagkakataon na pilit na nasisira ang ating pagtitiwala sa bansa at sa wika dahil sa iilang tao na nagpapakalunod sa kanilang kataksilan. Kung saan ang bawat isa ay walang iniisip kundi ang makalamang sa kapwa, wala roon ang pagtitiwala. Sa pagkakataon na nakakaupo ang mga pinuno sa puwesto dahil sa pandaraya, nasisira ang pagtitiwala. Kung tayo ay tumatalikod sa wikang Filipino para magsalita ng wikang banyaga upang mapatunayan na angat tayo sa iba, bumabagsak ang pagtitiwala. Ngunit, tulad ng dati, may pag-asa pa! Kapag sa kabila ng laganap na paghihirap ay wala nang nanganagamba dahil mayroong handang dumamay at magbahagi sa kapwa, nabubuhay ang pagtitiwala. Kung ang bawat pinuno ay magiging tapat sa tungkulin sa bayan, uusbong muli ang pagtitiwala. Kung ang lahing Pilipino ay taas-noong ipagmamakapuri ang sariling wika at magsisikap na iangat ang bansa, dapat tayong magtiwala… aangat ang ating bansa na binubuklod ng iisang wika.

Marahil ito na ang panahon upang muli natin ipagmalaki ang wikang Filipino. Panahon na upang patunayan sa mga banyaga na mayroon din tayong dangal bilang isang bansa. Panahon na upang tayo’y magkaisa at ipakita na kahit ang ating bansa ay dukha, mayroon tayong pagsisikap at pangarap na umangat. Lahat ito ay makakamit sa ngalan ng Diyos at kung lalapit tayo sa Kanya bilang isang bansa, kalakip an gating walang humpay na… pagtitiwala.

Pagninilay sa Ikapitong Huling Wika: “Ama, Sa Mga Kamay Mo, Inihahabilin Ko Ang Buhay Ko.” (Lukas 23: 44-46)

Hindi na po ako magtataka kung marami ang magsasabi sa atin na sila ay dumaranas ng matitinding pagsubok sa Buhay… mga pagsubok na siya ring nagpapatatag sa ating mga pananaw. Marahil ang nagsisilbing lakas natin sa likod ng mga pagsubok na ito ay ang malaman na hindi tayo nag-iisa at may mga karamay tayo sa ating pagdurusa.


Si Hesus bagama’t Diyos ay nagdanas din ng mga pagdurusa. Jesus is never alien to suffering. He embraced full humanity even human suffering. Niyakap niya ang mga hilahil sa buhay na gaya ng mga ordinaryong tao ngunit hindi sa ordinaryong dahilan, kundi nang dahil sa pag-ibig.


Mga kapatid, ang huling mga katagang binigkas ni Hesus habang siya’y nakabayubay sa krus ang kahuli-hulihan niyang pag-asa. Matapos ang matagal na panahon ng pakikiisa sa mga tao, pagpapagaling sa may sakit, pagdamay sa mga api, at pangangaral sa kanyang mga disipulo, marahil pagod na din si Hesus. Sinamahan niya ang mga taong nagdurusa, ngunit ngayong siya naman ang nagdurusa sa krus ng dahil sa pag-ibig, halos walang dumamay sa kanya. Iniwan siya ng mga taong kanyang pinagaling, pinakain, tinuruan, dinamayan, binuhay, at binigyan ng pag-asa. Iniwan din siya ng marami sa kanyang mga apostoles na tinawag niyang “kaibigan”. Wala na silang lahat! Iniwan nila si Hesus habang nagdurusa sa krus! Kahit ang kanyang kaibigang si Pedro na ilang ulit nagkumpisal ng pagmamahal sa kanya ay umalis din at tumalikod sa kanya. Ang hungkag niyang pangako ang tanging naiwan kay Hesus. Samantalang silang mga tahimik na nakilakbay kay Hesus tulad nina Maria na kanyang ina, ni Mariang maybahay ni Cleofas, kasama si Maria Magdalena na itinakwil ng lipunan, at ni Juan na pinakabata sa mga apostol… sila pa ang naiwan sa paanan ni Hesus habang pinapanood ang unti-unti niyang kamatayan. Kapwa sila walang magawa kundi ang tumangis sa nakakawang kalagayan ni Hesus.


Mga kapatid, ang pagkamatay ni Hesus marahil ay tigib ng kalungkutan hindi lamang dahil sa pagod sa paglalakbay habang pasan ang krus o dahil sa pagkaubos ng dugo sa pagkasibat sa kanyang katawan. Hindi rin sa latay na sanhi ng paghampas sa kanya o ng dahil sa kahihiyan ng kahubaran sa harapan ng madla. Mas masakit ang kamatayan ni Hesus dahil sa pagtalikod ng mga kaibigan niya na dapat sana’y nagtanggol sa kanya. Marahil ito na ang pinakamasakit na kamatayan, ang mamatay nang walang laban, ang mamatay habang dala ang sakit na dulot ng pagtalikod sa iyo ng iyong mga minamahal matapos mo silang paglingkuran ng sobra sobra… kamatayan dahil sa labis na kalungkutan dala ng pag-iisa. Hindi ba tayo rin, minsan ay pinapangakuan din tayo na: “mahal kita”, “hindi kita iiwan”, o “huwag kang mag-alala, ako ang bahala sa iyo” pero sa oras ng pangangailangan ay wala naman sila. Mas madalas na mag-isa ka lang. Mas maskit pa kung silang nangako pa ang nakasakit sa atin. Hungkag din ang kanilang pangako, empty words at broken promises ang tanging naiiwan sa atin. Mga kapatid, masdan natin ang ating Panginoon na nakabayubay sa krus at mag-isang nagdurusa… wala siyang karamay. Sino pa ang magsasalba sa kanya? Sa kanyang pagdurusa kanino pa niya itatagubilin ang kanyang sarili kung halos wala nang naiwan sa kanya… wala siyang pag-asa kayat nasabi niyang: “Ama sa iyong mga kamay inihahabilin ko ang aking buhay.” Ang Ama na ang kanyang tanggulan sa panahon ng kagipitan. Ang Ama ang siya niyang inasahan.


Gayundin, habang patuloy na hindi tayo kumakalinga at dumadamay sa pagdurusa ng ating kapwa, patuloy nating niyuyurakan sa kalungkutan at pag-iisa ang ating Panginoon. Sana sa pamamagitan ng ating pagdadamayan ay maipakita natin sa Diyos ang ating pakikiisa hindi lamang sa kaluwalhatian kundi pati sa kalungkutan. Samahan natin si Heus na ang inaasahan ay ang Ama. Katulad ni Hesus, kahit namatay sa krus ay binuhay muli ng pag-asa sa Ama.


Banal na Diyos, banal na puspos ng kapangyarihan, banal na walang hanggan…
Maawa po kayo sa amin at sa buong mundo.

O Hesus, hari ng awa… kami ay nanalig sa iyo.

______________________________

Ang akdang ito ay ginamit sa pagtatanghal ng “Pitong Huling Wika” noong Biyernes Santo, Abril 10, 2009 sa Parokya ng Birhen ng Asuncion, Maragondon, Cavite kasabay ng kanyang Holy Week Apostolate

THANK YOU and GOODBYE, PRESIDENT CORY!

“Roses and crosses make my life more meaningful. I cannot complain.”
– Pres. Cory


President Ma. Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, fondly called as Cory, is known for her simplicity and Godly attitude fostered in her whole life. Prior to her presidency, Cory was the widow of a brilliant senator and a rumored (then) presidentiable, Ninoy Aquino who was brutal assassinated on August 21, 1983. Through a People Power Revolution, Cory was pushed by the Filipinos to carry on the visions left by her husband to oust the tyrant Ferdinand Marcos from Malacañang. Cory accepted her fate and became first woman president of the Philippines by landslide victory and tenured from 1986 t0 1992. Pres. Cory faced various civil crises on the account of her office, but she remained steadfast until the last day of her term. Even after her presidency, Cory remained as an active advocate of democracy and transparency in the government. She challenged her successors to lead the country with honesty especially in times when issues of fraud and corruption come into play.

Pres. Cory was a committed Catholic and a devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom she entrusted all her life. However, more challenges come her way connected to her personal life until last February 2008, when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. For more than a year, after her illness was diagnosed, Pres. Cory fought so hard against cancer while many individuals, sectoral organizations, and religious institutes unceasingly prayed for her immediate recovery.


The icon of democracy passed away…

The news that welcomed the dawn of August 1, 2009 about the death of Pres. Cory Aquino saddened most of the Filipino people. From the first day of her wake at the De La Salle University - Greenhills until her last night at the Manila Cathedral, numerous people from different walks of life came to pay their last respect to the icon of democracy. Many testimonies about the goodness of Pres. Cory resounded on those days of mourning. The long lines of many people flocking to see the remains of Pres. Cory in wee hours of the night spoke for itself. One will see just how much Pres. Cory had been loved and cared for by the numerous people, even by those whom she did not know personally.


We were there too…

The Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol Community was also given the chance to pay its last respect to the late president. Together with the clergy of Imus, the community headed to the Manila Cathedral to attend the mid-day requiem mass presided over by Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle on August 4. In his homily, Bishop Tagle delivered a well-crafted sharing on how Pres. Cory lived her life for God, for the country, and for her family. After which, the TMP community rendered a song inspired by the People Power Revolution entitled “Diyos ay Sumasayo”.

On the date of Pres. Cory’s funeral, the Seminarians’ Network of the Philippines was invited by the Aquino family to cordon the hearse of the late president at the Manila Memorial Park. In response to the invitation, the TMP Community was given another chance to express its final respect to Pres. Cory. Almost 700 seminarians from different seminaries in NCR and nearby provinces responded to the invitation. The funeral march lasted for 10 hours (around 10:30 am to 8:30 pm) and the seminarians remained at the cemetery until the cortege arrived. The seminarians offered their valuable time to serve as choir, marshals, and errands in cemetery in the final service to Pres. Cory.

Indeed, if there is one thing that would remain forever, it is none other than the memory of how a person fully lived his or her life for the wellbeing of others. Our beloved President Cory is the model par excellence of such a life well spent for others. She is gone but her legacy remains… democracy!