St. Joseph, model to 21 priesthood candidates

The St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) graduation day on March 20 recognized 25 Third Year Theology seminarians receiving the Degree in Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, and 21 Fourth Year Theology seminarians who completed their theological studies as a prerequisite for their priestly ordination.

The Holy Eucharist on the Feast Day of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, started the day. Presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Digos, Most Reverend Guillermo D. Afable, DD and concelebrated by the Archbishop of Davao, Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Davao, Most Reverend George B. Rimando DD, priests-formators headed by Msgr. Abel C. Apigo, professors, and priests-visitors, their parents, relatives, benefactors, and friends witnessed the culmination, too.

Bishop Afable reminded the candidates for graduation that their formation towards priesthood is an ongoing formation. This was stated in the document “Pastores Dabo Vobis” of St. John Paul II. Hence, their formation is completed in terms of their academic studies only, but not with formation as he emphasized that devotion to St. Joseph can help them in their continuing formation.

The graduation ceremony followed after the mass with guest speaker, Fr. Edilberto Mahinay, a parish priest of Mati and a professor in the seminary. Fr. Mahinay said that as priests in the future, “we must be in love with Jesus Christ and live the virtue of simplicity.”

Formation to the priesthood is a lifetime process. Grateful REMASE Rector Msgr. Abel Apigo capped the event by sharing, “they were chosen and called by God and they are sent back to the vineyard of the Lord.” (Sem. Anselmo L. Forteza)