Presbyteral Ordination of Two Viannistas from Cotabato

Today, 28 April 2009, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato City,
two new Viannista alumni have been ordained priests: Rev. Fr. Salvador "Bukbok" Bucario, Jr. and Rev. Fr. Benjamin Laforteza, Jr.
H. E. the Most Rev. Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, D.D. was the ordaining prelate. Guests from Vianney included Fr. Rector, Fr. Norlan, Fr. Joey, and Maam Venus. A number of their classmates from Vianney also attended, not to mention their friends in the apostolate areas. Fr. Bukbok has been assigned asst. parish priest in Tacurong and Fr. Ben as asst. parish priest at the Cathedral. Praise the Lord for two new pastors in the Church!

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: RECTOR'S DAY AND CUP

Every year, too, the Seminary celebrates Rector's Day on the occasion of his birthday. Sports, simple dinner and program usually spice this affair. Here are some reminiscences. See the mananita photo? I gave alway my new slippers for lack of coins or bills to throw to the well-wishers! In the Rector's Cup, the team itself of the Rector emerged the Champion. Way pabor-pabor!

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: FINAL VOWS OF FR. MANOL

On the 28th of October, in Talisay, Cebu, where a good number of Jesuits were gathered after their retreat, Fr. Manol Montesclaros, S.J. (with Bro. Noel Cantago, S.J.) pronounced his final vows in the Society of Jesus. This means he is now fully incorporated into the body of the Society. The years prior to this were merely a 'scholasticate,' a probation period. With the final vows, he has fully "entered" the Society of Jesus with the desire to live and die in it, by the grace of God. Congratulations, Fr. Manol!

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: RING CEREMONY AND DIACONATE ORDINATION

A special gracefilled moment of the Seminary is the holding of the Diaconal Ordination in November. This practice, however, has evolved: it used to be practically for all in fourth year; now, only those from CDO, Malaybalay, Cotabato and Marbel are ordained. The rest are now ordained in their own dioceses. Well, times change...

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: ALUMNI HOMECOMING

Every year the Alumni visit their Alma Mater to refresh their memories of her tender loving care. This year this is timed with the visit of the Apostolic Nuncio. Also, this was highlighted by the reshowing of the hit show of the Misteryo monologues.

HIGHLIGHTS O809: INAUGURATION OF DIVINE MERCY SHRINE SEPT 8

In solidarity with the whole Archdiocese of CDO, the whole Seminary community joined the Inauguration of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Ulaliman, El Salvad0r on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady on 08 September. Waking up at only a little past midnight to avoid the expected heavy traffic, batches of seminarians were ferried to the area. The celebration started at 4:00 am. The place was filled with devotees and the atmosphere was really overwhelming, and the view from the hill of the Macajalar Bay was breathtaking especially as dawn broke. The 50-ft. statue of the Divine Mercy was also awesome. Here are some of the captured moments:

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: INTRAMURALS AND CHEERDANCE CONTEST

A yearly tradition in all schools--the Intrams. Most awaited because it means NO SCHOOL! Well, actually, we revise it a bit in Vianney nowadays. We have a so-called "soft opening" around July and a couple of days of Championship Games around September. We have done away with the final days of intrams between the Feast of St. Ignatius and St. John Vianney. We want to stress the spiritual--and not the holiday--aspect of these celebrations. Enjoy

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: VISIT OF THE PAPAL NUNCIO

In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, timing it, too, with the Alumni Homecoming of the Seminary, the Papal Nuncio, the Most Rev. Edward Joseph Adams was invited to grace the occasion. The photo shows him as he reaches SJVTS with the Father Rector handing on to him the bamboo crucifix, looking on is the Archbishop himself.

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: IRON CHEF VIANNISTA SEASON 2

Part of the new tradition in Vianney is the holding of the Iron Chef Viannista, a cookfest among the four subcommunities. On its Season 2, the contest is even becoming hotter and spicier! Well, compared to last year's maiden issue which was drenched in floodwaters, this time everything was cooperating including the weather. This year's secret ingredients were: DUCK AND SQUASH, two of the most challenging culinary items to cook. And the winners were...! Well, supposedly the neophytes who turned out to be veterans in the kitchen... Proof? Look at the bodies of most of them! The first year group of the House of Xavier! Congrats and Buon Appetito!

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: ST. IGNATIUS MASS XU

On the Feast of St. Ignatius, 31 July, the Seminary community once again joined the Eucharistic celebration. The previous year, Fr. Rector was homilist.

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: ORDINATION IN CANTILAN

Another highlight of the past formation year was the Ordination of Jozaf and Vince Montenegro in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. It was a scary adventure reaching the place with the darkness falling upon us as we traversed the notoriously dangerous area of the "noventa." Thank God we made it to the place whole and intact! God knows how to protect us.

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: PAUL IN SOUNDS AND IMAGES

After the opening salvo of the Pauline Run in this Year of St. Paul, the first Theological Forum on the Apostle was held. Since there was no other speaker available, we simply grabbed the nearest and the cheapest one: Father Rector--supposedly an expert on St. Paul. Sort of. As you can see from the photo, it was well-attended especially (but hopefully not only) because of the abundant snacks that were served afterwards! Seriously, we thank God for the gift of this Apostle from whose labors we have become beneficiaries of the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

HIGHLIGHTS 0809: Welcome to T4 From 30-Day Retreat