Humbled Servant in Hawaii

My Journey into 2012!

2012-01-14T22:09:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I know that I haven't updated my blog in a while. The last time I updated it was during the summer break. Wow, that was almost 6 months ago. Don't worry, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

It is now 2012 and I am entering my last semester of College seminary. At the end of the semester, I will earning a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and a Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies. Last week, we had our Annual Silent Retreat at Mount Angel Seminary. This year's retreat master was Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco. With his literature background, Archbishop gave us fresh looks at scripture passages and linked them with the theme. Although it was not explicitly stated, I think the theme was "Earthen Vessels". Overall, this retreat was much needed and was much refreshing.

During the retreat, I read the book "The Joy of Priesthood" by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti. Msgr. Rossetti also gave me inspiring words of encouragement in my discernment to the Priestly life.

This semester, I am taking 17 semester credits to finish up. I will also be defending a senior capstone project. Currently the title of my paper is "Theosis and Liturgy: How the Liturgy leads to Deification." I am so excited for this semester and hopefully I will be continuing on to another seminary to complete my Seminary formation.

With These Hands...

2011-07-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Last night for almost three hours I was washing dishes at McDonald's. Yes, I am working at McDonald's this summer to pay for any expenses this coming school year at the seminary. As my finngers were geting very wrinkled from all the grease, soap, and hot water, I reflected on my vocation.

I couldn't fathom the idea that with these hands, one day God will make himself present through his body and blood. With these hands, God will baptize His children into His divine life. With these hands, God will forgive people of their sins. With these hands, God will anoint the sick and bring them comfort. With these hands... these simple hands.

I pray that more in our diocese will listen to God's call and repond with a firm YES!

Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father,

your Divine Son taught us to pray to the Lord of the harvest

to send laborers into His vineyard.

We earnestly beg you to bless our diocese and our world

with many priest and religious

who will love you fervently and gladly and courageously send their lives

in service to your Son's Church,

especially the poor and the needy.

Bless our families and our children,

and choose from our homes those who you desire for this holy work.

Teach them to respond generously and keep them ever faithful

in following your Son Jesus Christ,

that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit

and with the inspiration of Saint Damien and Blessed Marianne

the Good News of redemption may be brought to all.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Abiqua Falls Hike- My Lenten Walk With Jesus

2011-04-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I went to Abiqua Fall with the seminary hiking group. When I first signed up for the hike, I was told that it was going to be only a 1.5 mile hike down into the falls and 1.5 mile back up. The whole hike was about 9 miles. This was my lenten offering. I offered the pain and suffering of walking up the mountain, down the steep hillside, and then back up again.

It was worth it though, to see the falls at the end.... It was amazing....

LA Congress 2011

2011-03-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

This year the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is scheduled during our spring break. EJ and I decided to attend the congress as chaperones for the Immaculate Conception Church Youth Group (ICCYG). Much of this trip will be re-living our childhood along with supervising 12 youth. The highlight of this trip will certainly be the Youth Day (Thursday) but the Disneyland Experience, Universal Studios, and Medieval Times will be great as well. Follow me for the next few days as my spring break unfolds.

Day 1: (Monday) Today we arrived in LAX and was craving for an "Animal Style Double-Double" from In & Out. After checking in to our hotel, EJ's classmate, who lives in LA, picked us up for a night of great company. For dinner, we ate authentic Korean food in a small hole in the wall restaurant. I have been craving Bi-bim-bap since the semester started. I definitely had to eat that in the Hot Pot version. Our night ended with boba drinks down the road.

Day 2: (Tuesday) With only four hours of sleep, our day started with meeting the ICCYG at the airport. They rode the red eye from Lihue, Kauai direct to LAX. The youth were enthusiastic for their full day of Disneyland with only very little sleep. This was the first time I went to Disneyland.

Day 3: (Wednesday) Today was our Universal Studios adventure.

Day 4: (Thursday) We woke up very early to get into the line at the Anaheim Convention Center for Youth Day. Before our two hour wait, we stopped at seven eleven to grab some coffee to wake up. I was looking for spam musubi's, bento's, and fried saimin. Unfortunately seven eleven franchise only served donuts, banana's and breakfast burritos. It was 530am when we got to the Anaheim Convention Center. There was already a line forming at the doors. We were able to get in line at the beginning of the 15,000 youth gathered. Tried from a short sleep, the ICCYG were excited to experience their first Los Angeles Youth Day. The doors were opened at 730am and our group latched to each other as we moved into the arena. There was a perfect spot that Uncle Blu remembers from previous congresses. We followed as he dashed on in the first level of bleachers. He was right! The seats that we got were the best view. None of this nose bleed action that I have experienced in the past. Jessie Manibusan roused up the crowd with music. He shared to the youth the meaning of being "Church".

I have attended the LA Congress in the past but never made to the Youth Day portion. This was my first LA Congress Youth Day. After the great singing, the first inspirational speaker was Justin Fatica of the Hard as Nails Ministry. That ended the opening sessions. We decided to take the morning workshop that was in the arena. Our first speaker was Judy McDonald on the topic "Finding God in All Things."

Before Lunch, Archbishop Gomez celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass along with many brother bishops, priests, and deacons. At the end He said, "This is amazing." The Youth Day was Archbishop's introduction to LA Congress.

After Lunch, we attended the session led by inspirational speaker, Fr. Tony Ricard. Hearing his version of the creation story was moving to all present. As expected, Fr. Ricard motivated the youth with his message to "Shut up and Listen."

The closing ceremony was led by Jesses Manibusan.

Day 5: (Friday) Day of play at California Adventures. Don't worry we all had tofu(meatless) for lunch.

Day 6: (Saturday) Today, Ej and I decided to spend our whole day exploring through "Catholic Costco" (Catholic Costco is the 250+ exhibitors at LA Congress). For lunch we had an opportunity to meet and greet all the Hawaii delegates at Ihop. After lunch, we continued our exploration. We attended the Young Adult Mass in the afternoon.

Day 7: (Sunday) Our Spring Break is coming to an end. As we sat in the terminal for Alaska Air, I began to reflect on my vocation. My experience this spring break has taught me to live life to the fullest.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-02-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father..." (Excerpt of Mt. 5:38-48)

Growing up in a typical Filipino family has its ups and downs. Being the oldest and a male child has its advantages over a younger female child. Looking back on my life, I can say that my relationship with my sister is much different now than then. As children, we fought often like cats and dogs. The smallest thing can begin the war of words. One time I remember we fought about something and was determined not to talk to each other ever again. How could I forgive her for what she said?

In the Gospel reading this past Sunday, Jesus reminds us to love our enemies, pray for our persecutors, and offer our other cheek when someone strikes the other. Today, my relationship with my sister has grown into a loving and understanding one. My journey towards the priesthood of Christ has really help me grow in this dimension of the Christian life. It seems to me that it would be difficult to be a holy priest if you can't forgive and forget. God self-emptied himself (Kenosis) and took our form in the person of Jesus to restore our relationship with God and neighbor.

How many of us want to become true children of God? Then we must live up to the challenge that is outlined in the following antiphon.

‎"If you want to be true children of your heavenly Father, then you must pray for those who persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you, says the Lord"

- Canticle of Mary Antiphon for Evening Prayer I

Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone...

2011-01-22T22:07:00.000-08:00

Today was the seventh annual West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco. Just as it was last year, the experience of taking part of this walk was a moving one. We arrived at St. Patrick's Seminary the night before after a 12-hour bus ride. After praying vespers in their magnificent seminary chapel, we headed towards their "refectory" (dinning hall) for a social. It was a great time to catch up with old friends that graduated from Mount Angel Seminary.

This was my second pilgrimage to San Francisco for the West Coast Walk for Life. The first time I was here, I had to be my own tour guide. I am grateful to Manolito Jaldon for being my host, tour guide, and taking me to University Avenue of Stanford University to drink some Starbuck's.

The summit of our pilgrimage was on Saturday. Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Niederauer in a packed Cathedral along with several Bishops of California. Priest, religious, seminarians and they laity gathered to pray for the end of the cultural of death in our country. Right after mass, our bus took us to the start of the walk at Justin Herman Plaza in Downtown San Francisco.

A short line up of speakers helped motivate the crowd of more than 40,000 pro-life activists. Immediately after the speakers, the short 2.5 mile walk began along the waterfront. Along the way, there were a small group of Pro-choice protesters on the sidewalk. I realized that the crowd of 40,000 peacefully walked, some with rosaries in their hands, and the small group was screaming and yelling for "choice". What sadden my heart was seeing a child not more than 7 years of age holding a sign for abortion on demand and with her parents yelling to the Pro-life activists. How can parents bring their child to a pro-choice protest?

We walked past the tourist ridden waterfront and my attention was caught by the stores, restaurants, and sidewalk attractions. My bliss was broken when I almost tripped on someone. Towards the end of the walk, the way became narrower and slowed down. In order to get to Marina Green you have to walk up a hill. A profound moment was when I got to the top of the hill and looked back, I saw a mile long trail of people behind me like an ant colony. This sight was an illustration of the body of Christ for me.

When we got to the end of the walk, I decided to go to Safeway to grab a bite. Out of nowhere a woman starts calling my name. At first I said to myself, "Other than seminarians, who in San Francisco know me?" I turned around to the source of voice and saw Elma Amboy (Rivera), a woman that I met in Hawaii many years ago through Blessed Sacrament Prayer Group. The last time I met her was last year at the walk for life in the midst of the crowd. Before this year's walk for life, we connected through Facebook and hoped to see each other again. Unfortunately we weren't able to make any plans to meet. So unexpectedly seeing each other at the Safeway was truly providential.

The West Coast Walk for Life this year was a moving one filled with many profound moments. It was disappointing to see that the news highlighted the pro-choice side only and failed to report the number of people gathered at the Walk for Life.

Hawaii Catholic TV- Our home away from home...

2011-01-20T11:44:00.003-08:00

On the feast of St. Sebastian, Martyr, the Diocese of Honolulu celebrated its annual "Red" mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. Legislatures, Police and Fire Personnel, and even Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie, were among the faithful and clergy gathered for prayer. After the post-communion prayer those gathered were addressed by USCCB Attorney, Anthony R. Picarello Jr. on the topic "Truth and Freedom: Made for Each Other." Mass ended with the congregation singing "America, the Beautiful."

Viewers, like us Seminarians, were able to be part of the Red Mass all the way from here in Oregon. It was made possible for us through the new initiative of John Fielding called Hawaii Catholic TV - HICTv for Short. Today's broadcast was a huge success compared to the previous attempt in live-streaming Deacon Anthony's ordination last month. Just as John was praying for 98-99 percent broadcast, it worked. The only glitch that happened during the mass was right after the start of Mr. Picarello's speech. The broadcast went off-air for just about 5 mins. Despite this minor technical difficulty, overall the live-stream went well.

It is with a grateful heart that HICTv brings the Diocese of Honolulu beyond the geographical lines right into our homes, schools, work, and even my seminary. I hope that we will be able to continue to use this valuable resource as a diocese to really "Witness to Jesus". Great job to John Fielding and this crew and keep it up! HICTv is my home away from home.

Belated Christmas Update.... Sorry

2011-01-20T11:39:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2010

Last Friday night, a few seminarians and myself attended the annual Portland singing Christmas tree. There, many Christmas favorites were sung. It truly got the whole audience in the mood for the Christmas season. As Catholics, we know that we are not yet in that season but in Advent. Amidst all this Christmas spirit, I am challenged to “stay awake and be ready”. What should I be ready for? This advent I am reflecting on the things that keep me from being awake and ready or those things that clutter the inn of my heart. The advent candles burn bright in our homes to remind us that we are children of the light. I wait for the Lord’s “coming” into my inn. This past year has been quite a journey.

In my last Christmas letter, I mentioned that my mother was going through tough chemotherapy treatment and was very weak. On December 8^th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, our Lord took away her bodily suffering and called her to eternal life. We laid her to rest on December 19. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. This year has been an emotional roller coaster for me.

In June, I traveled to the Great Salt Lake for the first time. I attended the ordination of Fr. Joey Frez. The mountains were covered in snow and were gorgeous. I got to visit a cloistered Carmelite convent and the Trappist monks. Following that trip, I attended the ordination of Fr. Ysrael Bien in Portland, OR. The highlight of these trips was seeing these two celebrate their thanksgiving mass.

My summer was spent at St. Stephen’s Diocesan Center. I was able to discern my vocation and work on my human formation. I interned at the Diocesan Religious Education Office directed by Jayne Mondoy. This experience gave me a better outlook of administration from a diocesan office point of view. I enjoyed the times I spent with the staff and the priest there.

I returned to the seminary in August to begin my 3^rd semester. So far, I am enjoying the courses that I have. I really enjoy my Latin and Greek classes. The semester really went by quick. Next week is already finals.

For Thanksgiving, I drove up to Seattle to see family. This was my first experience of driving in the snow. My jeep is not 4x4 or all wheel drive so it was difficult. Thank God I made it safely back to the seminary.

As the days are counting down to my return to Honolulu, more and more I am getting anxious. But there are a lot of things yet to do. Things such as Formation meeting, Spiritual direction, term papers to write, final exams, oral finals, and more. But I must not lose sight to the real reason why I must do all this. That is to serve you and lead you as your priest. I pray and hope that this advent season will be full of turning away from darkness and turning to joyful anticipation.

I extend my greetings for a holy Christmas season (not just a day) and a happy New Year. As my spiritual director always says, “oremus pro inviciem.” (Let us pray for one another).

Advent

2010-11-30T13:39:00.005-08:00

"Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day you Lord will come." In the readings this past Sunday on the First Sunday of Advent, we are reminded to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We must stay awake and be prepared everyday. Noah built the ark on God's instruction. He listened to the word and acted on it. It definitely required much faith. Probably those around him thought he was crazy. How many of us fall victim to the secular celebration of Christmas? I myself get caught in all the "Christmas in the air" feeling and forget the meaning of this advent season. Many times before I have failed to listen to God's voice. As the Gospel reading has reminded us, we must be like Noah- prepared. We must rise and stand in faith especially in these times. For a priest, he must walk in faith always and listen to God's instruction.

During the homily this past sunday, the priest celebrant told of a faith experience he had encountered a few weeks ago. He was on his way to celebrate mass at the mission church on a saturday. This church was in a rural area with poor cell phone reception. Right before celebrating mass, he received a phone call. It was his sister calling to say that their mother is being rushed to the emergency room. After she said that, the phone dropped the call leaving Father stupefied. He was worried because he couldn't call back. Many emotions went through this mind. He had two choices. First, he could just leave behind his flock or walk by faith and trust in God. After composing himself, he chose to walk by faith. He listened to the instruction of God, "go and offer mass for my people." The next day, he received a call from his sister saying that their mother is being moved out of the ICU. Talk about walking by faith. What is so moving was that Father was able to talk to his mother on the phone. When he asked whether or not she knew who she was talking to, she said, "This is my son." The was the first time in a long time that she knew who he was.

To prepare ourselves this advent season, St. Paul reminds us to "throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." The bottom line is: Do not do things of darkness because we are children of the light. God spoke through the prophets but all was fulfilled by Jesus. NOW is the time to leave behind any darkness. Let us be in joyful anticipation!

Commemoration of All Souls

2010-11-03T09:26:00.004-07:00

"For those who believe, life has not ended but changed."

Yesterday was the commemoration of All Souls, an important day for the monks of Mount Angel Abbey. The fog rolled in and covered the hill most of the morning. After the mass, everyone processed to the cemetery with the monks taking the lead. With hoods covering their heads, the monks processed through the fog. Once we got there, Father Odo with holy water blessed the graves of this brothers. Following that, he incensed the cemetery by weaving through the rows of simple cross grave markers.

We all left the cemetery in silence. This day was a day of recollection for the whole seminary. We had conferences lead by Abbot Gregory Duer, OSB.

Most of my day was reflecting on burying my mom nearly a year ago and my father almost four years. I truly missed their presence and the ability to have a conversation with them. My father a hard working person trying to make ends meet found his rest in drinking. I regret not spending time with him having some Ahi Poke (raw fish snack eaten while hanging out) or learn about this trade of making Hawaiian jewelry. His life well lived, was too short. My mom battled breast cancers for almost two years before going home to the Lord. I wish I spend more time with her listening to her stories of the past and learning to cook those delicious Filipino dishes that I so miss. She lived a life self-sacrificing from coming to America at the age of 21 to give a better life for her siblings (4 sisters, 2 brothers) to working several jobs to make ends meet when she started her own family.

To both of my parents, thank you for teaching me to love no matter what. For teaching me the importance of "blood is thicker than water" and the value of family. For teaching me to sacrifice my self for others. For teaching me to study hard and strive for the best. Thank for these and so much more.

Lord, I praise you and I thank you for giving me the parents that I had. You taught us to empty ourselves by giving up your son. Give me the grace to persevere to become a holy priest as you have called me to. I know how much you are asking me to give up and I accept. Let your presence be ever known to me in the times of trial and tribulation. Help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Bless those who have had an impact in my life. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pope Benedict writes a letter to the Seminarians of the World

2010-10-18T11:02:00.003-07:00

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
TO SEMINARIANS

Dear Seminarians,

When in December 1944 I was drafted for military service, the company commander asked each of us what we planned to do in the future. I answered that I wanted to become a Catholic priest. The lieutenant replied: “Then you ought to look for something else. In the new Germany priests are no longer needed”. I knew that this “new Germany” was already coming to an end, and that, after the enormous devastation which that madness had brought upon the country, priests would be needed more than ever. Today the situation is completely changed. In different ways, though, many people nowadays also think that the Catholic priesthood is not a “job” for the future, but one that belongs more to the past. You, dear friends, have decided to enter the seminary and to prepare for priestly ministry in the Catholic Church in spite of such opinions and objections. You have done a good thing. Because people will always have need of God, even in an age marked by technical mastery of the world and globalization: they will always need the God who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, the God who gathers us together in the universal Church in order to learn with him and through him life’s true meaning and in order to uphold and apply the standards of true humanity. Where people no longer perceive God, life grows empty; nothing is ever enough. People then seek escape in euphoria and violence; these are the very things that increasingly threaten young people. God is alive. He has created every one of us and he knows us all. He is so great that he has time for the little things in our lives: “Every hair of your head is numbered”. God is alive, and he needs people to serve him and bring him to others. It does makes sense to become a priest: the world needs priests, pastors, today, tomorrow and always, until the end of time.

The seminary is a community journeying towards priestly ministry. I have said something very important here: one does not become a priest on one’s own. The “community of disciples” is essential, the fellowship of those who desire to serve the greater Church. In this letter I would like to point out – thinking back to my own time in the seminary – several elements which I consider important for these years of your journeying.

1. Anyone who wishes to become a priest must be first and foremost a “man of God”, to use the expression of Saint Paul (1 Tim 6:11). For us God is not some abstract hypothesis; he is not some stranger who left the scene after the “big bang”. God has revealed himself in Jesus Christ. In the face of Jesus Christ we see the face of God. In his words we hear God himself speaking to us. It follows that the most important thing in our path towards priesthood and during the whole of our priestly lives is our personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. The priest is not the leader of a sort of association whose membership he tries to maintain and expand. He is God’s messenger to his people. He wants to lead them to God and in this way to foster authentic communion between all men and women. That is why it is so important, dear friends, that you learn to live in constant intimacy with God. When the Lord tells us to “pray constantly”, he is obviously not asking us to recite endless prayers, but urging us never to lose our inner closeness to God. Praying means growing in this intimacy. So it is important that our day should begin and end with prayer; that we listen to God as the Scriptures are read; that we share with him our desires and our hopes, our joys and our troubles, our failures and our thanks for all his blessings, and thus keep him ever before us as the point of reference for our lives. In this way we grow aware of our failings and learn to improve, but we also come to appreciate all the beauty and goodness which we daily take for granted and so we grow in gratitude. With gratitude comes joy for the fact that God is close to us and that we can serve him.

2. For us God is not simply Word. In the sacraments he gives himself to us in person, through physical realities. At the heart of our relationship with God and our way of life is the Eucharist. Celebrating it devoutly, and thus encountering Christ personally, should be the centre of all our days. In Saint Cyprian’s interpretation of the Gospel prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread”, he says among other things that “our” bread – the bread which we receive as Christians in the Church – is the Eucharistic Lord himself. In this petition of the Our Father, then, we pray that he may daily give us “our” bread; and that it may always nourish our lives; that the Risen Christ, who gives himself to us in the Eucharist, may truly shape the whole of our lives by the radiance of his divine love. The proper celebration of the Eucharist involves knowing, understanding and loving the Church’s liturgy in its concrete form. In the liturgy we pray with the faithful of every age – the past, the present and the future are joined in one great chorus of prayer. As I can state from personal experience, it is inspiring to learn how it all developed, what a great experience of faith is reflected in the structure of the Mass, and how it has been shaped by the prayer of many generations.

3. The sacrament of Penance is also important. It teaches me to see myself as God sees me, and it forces me to be honest with myself. It leads me to humility. The Curé of Ars once said: “You think it makes no sense to be absolved today, because you know that tomorrow you will commit the same sins over again. Yet,” he continues, “God instantly forgets tomorrow’s sins in order to give you his grace today.” Even when we have to struggle continually with the same failings, it is important to resist the coarsening of our souls and the indifference which would simply accept that this is the way we are. It is important to keep pressing forward, without scrupulosity, in the grateful awareness that God forgives us ever anew – yet also without the indifference that might lead us to abandon altogether the struggle for holiness and self-improvement. Moreover, by letting myself be forgiven, I learn to forgive others. In recognizing my own weakness, I grow more tolerant and understanding of the failings of my neighbour.

4. I urge you to retain an appreciation for popular piety, which is different in every culture yet always remains very similar, for the human heart is ultimately one and the same. Certainly, popular piety tends towards the irrational, and can at times be somewhat superficial. Yet it would be quite wrong to dismiss it. Through that piety, the faith has entered human hearts and become part of the common patrimony of sentiments and customs, shaping the life and emotions of the community. Popular piety is thus one of the Church’s great treasures. The faith has taken on flesh and blood. Certainly popular piety always needs to be purified and refocused, yet it is worthy of our love and it truly makes us into the “People of God”.

5. Above all, your time in the seminary is also a time of study. The Christian faith has an essentially rational and intellectual dimension. Were it to lack that dimension, it would not be itself. Paul speaks of a “standard of teaching” to which we were entrusted in Baptism (Rom 6:17). All of you know the words of Saint Peter which the medieval theologians saw as the justification for a rational and scientific theology: “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an ‘accounting’ (logos) for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). Learning how to make such a defence is one of the primary responsibilities of your years in the seminary. I can only plead with you: Be committed to your studies! Take advantage of your years of study! You will not regret it. Certainly, the subjects which you are studying can often seem far removed from the practice of the Christian life and the pastoral ministry. Yet it is completely mistaken to start questioning their practical value by asking: Will this be helpful to me in the future? Will it be practically or pastorally useful? The point is not simply to learn evidently useful things, but to understand and appreciate the internal structure of the faith as a whole, so that it can become a response to people’s questions, which on the surface change from one generation to another yet ultimately remain the same. For this reason it is important to move beyond the changing questions of the moment in order to grasp the real questions, and so to understand how the answers are real answers. It is important to have a thorough knowledge of sacred Scripture as a whole, in its unity as the Old and the New Testaments: the shaping of texts, their literary characteristics, the process by which they came to form the canon of sacred books, their dynamic inner unity, a unity which may not be immediately apparent but which in fact gives the individual texts their full meaning. It is important to be familiar with the Fathers and the great Councils in which the Church appropriated, through faith-filled reflection, the essential statements of Scripture. I could easily go on. What we call dogmatic theology is the understanding of the individual contents of the faith in their unity, indeed, in their ultimate simplicity: each single element is, in the end, only an unfolding of our faith in the one God who has revealed himself to us and continues to do so. I do not need to point out the importance of knowing the essential issues of moral theology and Catholic social teaching. The importance nowadays of ecumenical theology, and of a knowledge of the different Christian communities, is obvious; as is the need for a basic introduction to the great religions, to say nothing of philosophy: the understanding of that human process of questioning and searching to which faith seeks to respond. But you should also learn to understand and – dare I say it – to love canon law, appreciating how necessary it is and valuing its practical applications: a society without law would be a society without rights. Law is the condition of love. I will not go on with this list, but I simply say once more: love the study of theology and carry it out in the clear realization that theology is anchored in the living community of the Church, which, with her authority, is not the antithesis of theological science but its presupposition. Cut off from the believing Church, theology would cease to be itself and instead it would become a medley of different disciplines lacking inner unity.

6. Your years in the seminary should also be a time of growth towards human maturity. It is important for the priest, who is called to accompany others through the journey of life up to the threshold of death, to have the right balance of heart and mind, reason and feeling, body and soul, and to be humanly integrated. To the theological virtues the Christian tradition has always joined the cardinal virtues derived from human experience and philosophy, and, more generally, from the sound ethical tradition of humanity. Paul makes this point this very clearly to the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (4:8). This also involves the integration of sexuality into the whole personality. Sexuality is a gift of the Creator yet it is also a task which relates to a person’s growth towards human maturity. When it is not integrated within the person, sexuality becomes banal and destructive. Today we can see many examples of this in our society. Recently we have seen with great dismay that some priests disfigured their ministry by sexually abusing children and young people. Instead of guiding people to greater human maturity and setting them an example, their abusive behaviour caused great damage for which we feel profound shame and regret. As a result of all this, many people, perhaps even some of you, might ask whether it is good to become a priest; whether the choice of celibacy makes any sense as a truly human way of life. Yet even the most reprehensible abuse cannot discredit the priestly mission, which remains great and pure. Thank God, all of us know exemplary priests, men shaped by their faith, who bear witness that one can attain to an authentic, pure and mature humanity in this state and specifically in the life of celibacy. Admittedly, what has happened should make us all the more watchful and attentive, precisely in order to examine ourselves earnestly, before God, as we make our way towards priesthood, so as to understand whether this is his will for me. It is the responsibility of your confessor and your superiors to accompany you and help you along this path of discernment. It is an essential part of your journey to practise the fundamental human virtues, with your gaze fixed on the God who has revealed himself in Christ, and to let yourselves be purified by him ever anew.

7. The origins of a priestly vocation are nowadays more varied and disparate than in the past. Today the decision to become a priest often takes shape after one has already entered upon a secular profession. Often it grows within the Communities, particularly within the Movements, which favour a communal encounter with Christ and his Church, spiritual experiences and joy in the service of the faith. It also matures in very personal encounters with the nobility and the wretchedness of human existence. As a result, candidates for the priesthood often live on very different spiritual continents. It can be difficult to recognize the common elements of one’s future mandate and its spiritual path. For this very reason, the seminary is important as a community which advances above and beyond differences of spirituality. The Movements are a magnificent thing. You know how much I esteem them and love them as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Yet they must be evaluated by their openness to what is truly Catholic, to the life of the whole Church of Christ, which for all her variety still remains one. The seminary is a time when you learn with one another and from one another. In community life, which can at times be difficult, you should learn generosity and tolerance, not only bearing with, but also enriching one another, so that each of you will be able to contribute his own gifts to the whole, even as all serve the same Church, the same Lord. This school of tolerance, indeed, of mutual acceptance and mutual understanding in the unity of Christ’s Body, is an important part of your years in the seminary.

Dear seminarians, with these few lines I have wanted to let you know how often I think of you, especially in these difficult times, and how close I am to you in prayer. Please pray for me, that I may exercise my ministry well, as long as the Lord may wish. I entrust your journey of preparation for priesthood to the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy, whose home was a school of goodness and of grace. May Almighty God bless you all, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

From the Vatican, 18 October 2010, the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist.

Yours devotedly in the Lord,
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

cite: vatican.va

It all starts once again...

2010-09-15T11:38:00.003-07:00

It is now the third week of school at Mount Angel Seminary. This school year is very busy for me. I am attempting to take 18 semester hours (credits), a 5 hour work-study at the administration offices, 3 hours a week of Pastoral formation at St. Joseph's Shelter, and 1 hour of being a pronunciation tutor. pheww....

My summer ended with my friends wedding presided by Bishop Silva. I had the opportunity of being the Master of Ceremonies for the mass and also the Emcee for the reception. I had a lot of fun. On the next day I had to be on a flight to Portland for the seminary. School started on that Monday that followed (the next day).

I truly miss the tropical weather of Honolulu as we enter into the Fall season here. The weather is starting to change into a colder climate and the heaven’s has opened their floodgates. I am looking forward to a great year and most importantly the time when I will see you again. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and be assured of my prayers as well.

The Glorious Assumption of Mary

2010-08-15T21:38:00.001-07:00

by Alfred Guerrrero

The Assumption of Mary is a belief that is held by several Christian sects, that the Blessed Virgin Mary was physically taken up into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The dogma of the assumption was given “ex cathedra” on November 1, 1950 by Pope Pius XII by Apostolic Constitution. Although it was only in the twentieth century that this dogma was defined, tradition of the Assumption of Mary was well rooted in Christian liturgy from the beginning of the post-apostle churches. The duty of the Magisterium is to execute solemn affirmations of revealed truths and bring into light forgotten truths. Divine revelation ended with the death of the last apostle; therefore no new revelation is accepted. This dogma pronounced, declared, and defined by the Church teaches us about the eventual resurrection of our bodies and the privileges she received as the mother of God.

In the apostolic constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, it states that “having completed the course of her earthly life,” leaves the question open of whether or not the Blessed Virgin died before her assumption or was assumed into heaven before her death (no. 44). There is no reliable document stating the age or manner of which our lady passed from this life. The fourth century Church Father, St. Epiphanius states that:

“But if some think us mistaken, let them search the Scriptures. They will not find Mary’s death; they will not find whether she died or did not die; they will not find whether she was buried or was not buried. More than that: John journeyed to Asia, yet nowhere do we read that he took the holy Virgin with him. Rather, scripture is absolutely silent (on the end of Mary), because of the extraordinary nature of the prodigy, in order not to shock the minds of men.

For my own part, I do not dare speak, but keep my own thoughts and I practice silence. For it may be that somewhere we have found hints that it is impossible to discover the death of the holy, blessed one. On the one hand, you see, Simeon says of her, “And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Lk. 2:35). On the other hand, when the Apocalypse of John says, “And the dragon hastened against the woman who had brought forth the male child, and there were given to her an eagle’s wings, and she was carried off into the wilderness, that the dragon might not seize her” (Rev. 12:13-14), it may be that this is fulfilled in her.

However, I do not assert this absolutely, and I do not say that she remained immortal; but neither do I maintain stoutly that she died. The fact is, Scripture has outstripped the human mind and left (this matter) uncertain, for the sake of that valued vessel without compare, to prevent anyone from harboring carnal thoughts in her regard.” (Pg. 6)

St. Epiphanius did not know how did Mary end her life. He does suggest three possibilities: a natural death, martyrdom, or deathless immortality. There is however in the Roman Breviary the story of the assumption in a sermon by St. John Damascene which he attributes to St. Euthymius. The passage is as follows:

“It has been handed down to us from of old, that at the time of the glorious Passing of Our Lady, all the holy Apostles who were then toiling in various parts of the world for the salvation of mankind were in various parts of the world for the salvation of mankind were in an instant caught up into the air, and borne together to Jerusalem. There a vision of Angels appeared to them, and they heard the chant of Angelic Powers. And thus with glory to God, she yielded up her blessed soul into the hand of her Maker. As for her body, which is an ineffable manner had harbored God, it was carried out for burial amid the hymns of Angels and of the Apostles, and was laid in a tomb at Gethsemane, and for three days the song of Angels continued without ceasing. At the end of three days the melody of the Angels ceased, and Thomas, who was alone had been absent, having come on the third day, and desiring to pay homage to that body which had harbored God, the Apostles opened the tomb, but, searched as the would, no where could they discover the sacred body. They found only the cloths in which it had been enshrouded and being refreshed with the ineffable fragrance which proceeded from them, they once more closed the tomb.

Astounded at the extraordinary and mysterious event, they could but conclude, that He whom it had pleased to take flesh of the Virgin Mary, and of her to be made a man and to be born—though He was God the Word and the Lord of glory—and who had kept her virginity unimpaired even after childbirth, had also been pleased, upon her departure hence, to shield her sinless body from decay, and to honor it by removal hence before the common and universal resurrection.” (pg. 6-7).

If such event did happen, would you not think that the Church would include such account in the Canon? No city in the world can claim that they possess the sarcophagus of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Surely we would be called to venerate such a holy place. Whether or not we can say that Mary died or did not die, we believe that she was assumed into heaven.

The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary tells us that she was enriched and preserved from all stain of original sin and personal sin. Because of such graces, she was not subject to death—the consequence of sin. Pope Pius XII, states in Munificentissimus Deus, “God willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary should be exempted from this general rule. She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body” (no. 5). The sacred body that was the vessel of the Word made flesh seems to me should be preserved. Out of love for his mother, Jesus Christ willed that she be assumed into heaven. It is found in liturgical books during the time of Pope Adrian I that testify the Mother of God passed from this earthly exile to heaven. According to the Apostolic Constitution of the Dogma of the Assumption, you can find this testimony in a sacramentary given to Emperor Charlemagne. It says “Venerable to us, O Lord, is the festivity of this day on which the Holy Mother of God suffered temporal death, but still could not be kept down by the bonds of death, who has begotten your Son our Lord incarnate from herself” (no. 17). We often hear that Jesus is the new Adam and Mary is the new Eve. In God’s plan of salvation, Mary being the new Eve conquers also death like Jesus and takes her throne at the right hand of her only begotten son to be queen of heaven and earth.

Our Lady’s person, body and soul, was assumed into heaven. Jesus ascended to heaven because it was his willpower. Unlike Jesus, the Virgin Mary was received into heaven by the will of God, the Holy Trinity. She was first among the dead to be reunited with her body. The reality is that our bodies will go through corruption because of original sin and wait until the resurrection of the dead. Our Lady is the model of hope that one day we too will experience glorification of our bodies and reunification of our person. We must honor Mary for her Immaculate Conception, being the vessel where the Word was made flesh, Mother of the Apostles and the Church, and her glorious Assumption into heaven to be our queen.

Our Lady, assumed into heaven, pray for us!

Bibliography

Burghardt, Walter J.. The Testimony of the Patristic Age Concerning Mary’s Death.

Westminster, Maryland: The Newman Press, 1957.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition. Washington, DC.: USCCB, 1994.

Durh, S.J., Joseph. The Glorious Assumption of the Mother of God. New York: P.J.

Kenedy & Sons, 1950.

O’Connell, S.J., Raphael. Mary’s Assumption. New York: The America Press, 1930.

Our Blessed Lady. London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., 1934.

Pope Pius XII. Munificentissimus Deus. November 1, 1950. 25 Oct. 2009

Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible. New York: Catholic Book

Publishing Co., 1992

Shoemaker, Stephen J.. Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary’s Dormition and

Assumption. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. United States Catholic Catechism for

Adults. Washington, DC.: USCCB, 2006.

Mid-Summer thoughts...

2010-07-21T17:39:00.003-07:00

Summer has not been much of a vacation this year. I have been busy with the Office of Religious Education, hosting visiting seminarians, MC'ing Confirmation Masses with Bishop Silva, attending graduation parties, making appearances at the With Grateful Hearts Mahalo dinners, and touring Oahu with my niece.

It is quiet here at Saint Stephen's Diocesan Center. After all the diocesan workers leave the center, it becomes a ghost town. I dont let the darkness of the place get to me. I attend mass at the Carmelite Convent here on campus. The holy and prayerful sisters illumine this place.

The office of religious education (ORE) has been very busy with its conferences on Oahu and Kauai. We are getting ready for the next conference on Maui. I have been working on our catechist database and trying to update and clean up records. This has really helped me navigate through Microsoft Access and learn about the program. I will be completing my journey with the ORE soon and will truly miss this ministry.

June Feed the Homeless

2010-06-19T16:57:00.003-07:00

On Thursday night, I spontaneously went to the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa Kakaako Homeless Shelter Feeding night with Life Teen coordinator Fay Castillo. The night reminded me the time I experienced the Day of Poverty Retreat in Portland, Oregon.

I thought that I would be the one to minister to the homeless but instead this day ministered me. When we arrived at the downtown chapel, we greeted by Fr. Ron Paul who gave us a short overview of the day. Then all the volunteers and my brothers gathered for a small Lectio Divina before the "guest" arrived. I liked the fact that we referred the homeless our "guest" because it I helped me realized that they important as much as anyone else.

I have done many homeless feeding before and was used to the it. This time was very different. Was it because of the location? Portland where as to Honolulu? I was moved by each "guest" as they went through the breakfast line. In a world where the homeless is disenfranchised and have little choice, in this place they were welcomed and important. It was moving to see them have a choice as to what kind yogurt to have or white milk or chocolate milk.

One of the volunteers had me sit with a few guest and at first I felt uncomfortable. As I engaged in the conversation with them, I experienced a defining moment. I witnessed to Jesus. The 25th Chapter of Matthews Gospel came into my mind. "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me" (Matt. 25:35-36). When I told one of the guest that I was a seminarian studying for the priesthood, she responding with "You guys will heal us when we are down and sad." That was so simple yet profound. It came from the heart. I don't what was her educational background but let me tell you she was a great theologian.

That day taught me a lot and the homeless seems different now than before.

Are you willing to witness to Jesus?

Summer 2010 begins...

2010-05-19T14:39:00.003-07:00

It has been a long time since I have blogged. I am glad to be back to share my experiences and struggles in being a seminarian. As you can tell from my previous blog ("Easter Letter"), I have been very busy. It really has been such a roller coaster of emotions in my first year of seminary. Although there were ups and downs this past year, I have survived it. It is only by God's infinite grace that I have the strength to go on.

Coming home this month on Mother's day was bittersweet. It was the first Mother's Day with out my mom physically being there. I was able to make a visit to the graveyard last week. I started my summer running. No rest for the wicked...

On Monday evening (May 10), I was able to serve mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa for the Feast Day of St. Damien of Molokai. I was able to have private time with the relic of St. Damien (His heel Bone). As each person came up to venerate the relic, I was reflecting on the life of St. Damien. I was wondering about his struggles as a seminarian and more so as a priest in Molokai. I prayed really hard to St. Damien to intercede for me to persevere in my vocation to the priesthood. This month has been very hard on me and so I needed that moment with St. Damien.

Also on Monday last week, I started my internship with the Diocesan Office of Religious Education. There is a lot of work to be done. I have the privilege and honor to create and present an hour-long presentation on the Norms for the Sacramental Catechesis for Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, & Penance. There is a lot of reading to do before I start on the presentation. I have to start with the National Directory for Catechesis. How fun, right?

I did have my Zippy's Chili Chicken Mixed Plate with Mac Salad already :). I can't wait to taste more food that I have been craving for.

As the summer goes on... I will try to post more on here.... I hope that you will continue to follow me...

As my spiritual director always says- "Oremus pro Invicem"- Let us pray for one another.

Easter Letter

2010-05-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

April 18, 2010

Dear Friends:

Christos Anesti! (Christ is Risen!) There is a lot of news to share with you since my last letter. After writing to you in December the major change in my life was losing my mother. Her battle with breast cancer ended on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Although her passing was a surprise to all of us, I felt a sense of peace because she no longer suffered. This was the beginning of my Lenten season.

When I got back to the seminary, it was the middle of the annual silent retreat. It was difficult to keep the silence because everyone wanted to know how I was doing. When the second semester started, I had another challenge. I had to complete all my courses from last semester. With the grace of God, I was able to complete all my assignments by the incomplete deadline.

The first major event for the Filipino Community was the Santo Nino feast day. We had the privilege of having Bishop Oscar Solis, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, as the presider of the mass. It was a successful event and the weather was in our favor through the intercession of St. Clare, patroness of good weather. J

Spring break started on Wednesday, March 31 and ended yesterday Sunday, April 11. Holy week was the culmination of my Lenten season. I decided to stay at Mount Angel Seminary for half of my break. On Holy Thursday I spent my afternoon with Bishop Kenneth Steiner, Auxiliary Bishop of Portland. I interviewed him for my ethnographic writing project. He shared many of his experiences and even shared a meal with me. I stayed for mass at his parish. For Good Friday, I had the opportunity to serve in the Abbey church. In the cross that we venerated, there was a relic of the cross of Christ. This service was so profound because it reminded me of my mom’s suffering.

(On the night before her passing I surrendered to God’s will. That night we had an Advent reconciliation service and asked God to forgive me for not being the best son I could be. I also told the Blessed Mother in prayer that if the Lord was to call my mom home, it was ok but she had to be my mother now. Totally unexpected, I got a call from my sister in the morning that mom passed away. My heart was pierced as I began to weep and scream into a pillow. When I was able to compose myself a sense of peace came over me. I realized at that moment what my prayer was the night before and remembered that it was the Feast of our Lady’s Immaculate Conception.)

The rest of my spring/Easter break was spent in Washington State. Fr. Balizan from New Mexico wanted to spend time with me while he was there for speaking engagements. He let me serve at the masses that he celebrated throughout Western Washington. We stayed at the home of Bob & Bobbie Brown, members of the Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Their hospitality reminded me of the Benedictine spirit of receiving guest as Christ.

I got back to Mount Angel on the last day of the break and can’t wait till summer. J

The first year of Seminary has been such a roller coaster of emotions but I survived. I have made a lot of friends here that I will definitely miss over the summer break. Some of them will not be returning because they are graduating and moving on to other seminaries, getting ordained, or go on their pastoral year. I know that someday God will make it so that our paths will cross each other once again.

I am excited to be going home early May for summer break. The first thing on my to do list is to pay a visit to Zippy’s. But before then, I have to complete all my assignments and finals for this semester. Please pray for all the seminarians that will be completing their academic year.

In honor of the Year of the Priest, I am attaching the following prayer:

Father God, we give you thanks and praise for the gift of Holy Priesthood. We pray for all priest everywhere, but especially those in our parish and for those from whom we have received grace. Sanctify them in holiness and protect them from all evil and hold them in the depths of your Sacred Wounds. Amen. (Catholic Prayer Cards)

I remain yours in Christ,

Alfred Omar B. Guerrero

Seminarian for the Diocese of Honolulu

Habemus Abbatem! We have an Abbot!

2009-11-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the monastic community of Mount Angel Abbey elected its 11th Abbot in its second century history. After an hour and a half of voting, the monks were able to elect their leader. He is (Abbot) Fr. Gregory Duerr, O.S.B..

We attended novena masses in the Abbey church nine days before the election. On the day of the election, all morning classes were canceled. We just sat in our rooms, roamed the hallways, and hung out in the commons waiting for the ringing of the bells indicating that the monks have elected a new abbot. Indeed it was like the papal election. In our own way, we were anticipating the "white smoke".

When finally the bells rung, all the seminarians rushed to get to the Abbey Church. My heart was racing in excitement for the new abbot. We all fought for best seating, which is unusual in the seminary :), to see who it will be. The bells stop and the organ began to play starting the procession of monks. At the end of that long procession would be the new abbot.

The monks came out two by two by seniority in a very slow procession. The anticipation got intense when the key players (*who we thought were, like the conclave- everything is done in secret) did not process out. Ease came as they emerged. Finally at the end, with the pectoral cross around his neck, was the new Abbot. In our little "St. Peter's Square", peals of applause broke out when we saw Abbot Gregory emerge as the chosen one.

In such humbling words he said, "As I look down, I see a chain. On the end of the chain, there is not roses but a cross." He also said, "Thank you for something very precious, that is your trust."

Saint Gregory, pray for us!
Saint Benedict, pray for us!
Mary, seat of wisdom, pray for us!

I thirst for you...

2009-10-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

On the first night at the seminary, I was thirsty. After dinner and the orientation meeting I went back into my room. I began to unpack my things and put them away. When I saw the bed, there were no sheets. I did not pack them with me. I ended up sleeping on clothes and used a towel as a blanket.

Just before bed, I wanted a drink of water because I was thirsty. When I went to turn on the sink the water came out brown. In Hawaii, the water from the tap comes out clear. I never saw tap water that dark. I figured that since no one ran the tap for a whole summer, it came out that color. So I went out side of my room to the fountain. The water also came out brown. Aye SOS! I ran back into my room and jumped into bed. I was so thirsty, that I savored the every drop of my saliva.

Then I realized, I experienced my first spiritual exercise. I was thirsty physically, but I was also thirsty spiritually. Jesus, I thirsty for you!

College Beach Weekend

2009-10-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

One of the first events that is held every year with the whole undergraduate college is the College Beach Weekend. It was held on Sept. 11-13 in the Oregon Coast. I come from Hawaii so my perception of the beach is different. I was expecting to see beautiful calm blue "Hawaiian" water. Isn't it the same Pacific Ocean. Boy was I wrong.

It was cold that I could not swim in it. There were cliffs with tall pine trees. I thought that I was in a forest rather than a beach. Overall, my weekend was very fulfilling because I the bonds of brotherhood grew stronger. These strangers that I only met a while ago became my friends and brothers.

On the first night we had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Evening Prayer. After getting settled in, I took a stroll down to the beach. I was just in time for sunset. Oh it was breath taking. God's creation is much greater than I thought.

On the second day, we celebrated Mass then bonded again. After lunch, I started to dinner. The Filipino Community sponsored the dinner. Our very own EJ Resinto was the head cook.

Our weekend ended with the Sunday Eucharist. The mass was so profound for me because no matter where we were, Jesus was made presence. Jesus is the center of our lives!

My Journey Begins...

2009-09-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

I arrived at Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, Oregon on August 23, 2009. My flight from Seattle was a short 30 mins. on small Horizon Air Commuters. I was picked by a seminarian brother. With a full luggage suitcase and a balikbayan box (a term used to describe a shipping box used in travel), I expected to be riding a van. When we arrived at the car, it was a small old seminary car. There was another new seminarian that also arrived the same time as I did. With four pieces of luggage, I thought that we wouldn't fit. What such doubt. When our driver, Joseph, tried to open the trunk, it was stuck. We couldn't open it. Ahh, I thought. What such luck.

So, with the faith of my other new seminarian brother, we tried to fit all our luggage and three bodies in a 4 seat car. Although this puzzle was only a few pieces, it felt like a thousand. Praise God we managed to fit all the pieces together, leaving not even leg room for all of us (well at least the driver). The first cross I had to bear was seating in the most awkward position for about an hour (seated in the front seat with my seat belt on, my carry-on on the floor, and a checked baggage of my seminarian brother (at least 40 lbs.) on my lap. We all had to serve as rear-view and side mirrors. My agony in the garden was eased when I got to see all the sites of the place I will call home for the next four years.

When we arrived at Mount Angel Seminary, we were greeted by the orientation team. I got my room number, 329, and began my second carrying of the cross. My room is on the third floor and they haven't finished building our elevator. I had to bring all my luggage up to my room. I thought to myself, can't I just sleep on the first floor. My pain was eased when a seminarian brother helped me carry my heavy luggage up three flights of stairs. I was inspired by the lack of complaint from him. A stranger and he helped me. That made realize what service I am called to do for others.

I got to my room and there laying on the table was a Saint Benedict Medal and Holy Water. Felipe (Seminarian that helped me) instructed me on some housekeeping and then left me in my room. There I was, alone. I sat on the chair for several minutes to thank my God for bringing me here.

Constant Dying and Rising

2009-06-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I prayed the Liturgy of the Hours using "Pray without Ceasing" in the convent chapel. As I was praying Psalm 86, God spoke into my heart. He used the word of the the Psalm. "O God, the arrogant have risen up against me, and a council of violent people have sought my life, for they have not kept you in mind. But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in steadfast love and truth. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant."

Some people very close to me and I have experienced a few disappointments lately but no matter what the circumstance is, the Lord is ever faithful. Even in the times of trial and tribulations my co-workers in the vineyard and I experience, the Lord gives us strength to go on. May we persevere in our work for the greater glory of God and the building of His kingdom.