Welcome Back, Dear Seminarians!

It feels odd for me to be somewhere else at the beginning of the school year. But I have to get used to it now. But I cannot help remembering you as you begin another year of human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual formation. Welcome back! I hope you have gathered enough rest and energy to face another year. I am now somewhere else - in Rome - for an 8-month sabbatical. During the first days, I felt a little disoriented although many things remained the same, especially the routes of the buses. But I was so surprised not to have remembered how to get to our laundry room! I even forgot how to operate the electric flatiron! Karon hinoon, expert na sab! It's final exam days here and soon this place will be empty till October. I still donno where to go for some excursion. Rome is very hot in August but I might be staying here; after all, the Philippines is not the coolest place there is! Please visit this blog often if u wanna know where I am. I miss halang2! Ciao ragazzi! (Bye boys!)

Gathering of Asia-Pacific Assistancy Roman Jesuits

There is this tradition of the Asia-Pacific (formerly East Asian) Assistancy Jesuits in Rome to gather at least twice a year: at the beginning of the school year to welcome especially new members, and at the end of the school year to bid goodbye to those who are leaving. We happened to be present today 29 May for this gathering at the end of the school year. Again, fewer Jesuits now than 8 or 10 years ago. First, we had mass at the Curia which Fr. Assistant, Danny Huang presided over, and then followed by the buffet (all u can eat) at the newly-discovered Chinese-Japanese-Thai, etc. restaurant near St. Paul Outside the Walls. It was a singular experience in food and company; the only disadvantage was that it ruined every form of diet regime! Bahala na! 2012 na bitaw hapit! Some fotos... The building that u see is the Jesuit Curia.

AN AFTERNOON IN ROME

This afternoon, I was moved to visit the Church of Sta. Pudenziana where the Filipino Chaplaincy is. On Thursday afternoons, Pinoys are usually on half-day off (no school on Thursdays but there is on Saturdays), and many of them usually gather at the Chaplaincy center. Very few people this time but there was a mass for the sick, it seemed. From there, went up to the Basilica of St. Mary Major which is just about 50 mts. away. Also went to visit the Center of the Redemptorists where the famous icon of the Mother of Perpetual Help is. Again, there used to be a good number of Filipinos there on Thursday afternoons, but, aside from those who went to mass, none seemed to be in the usual meeting room. Perhaps, it is like the Ardent Spring of Camiguin: as we used to comment: "Di na gyod pareha sa una!"

CENA DI ADDIO - BUT NOT FOR ME!

In the Roman school calendar, the year is about to end. Around this time at the Biblicum, the house tenders the so-called "Cena di Addio" or Farewell Dinner to those who are leaving the Institute, both professors and students. As a matter of fact, it also concerns everyone as each one bids goodbye to each other for the summer break which is rather long (i.e., June to October). Well, we found ourselves part of this community this time. Some fotos of the event. Ciao!

A DISCLAIMER ABOUT YOURS TRULY

To avoid further dissemination of wrong information about my stay in Rome, this is to clarify that I AM NOT HERE TO TEACH but simply to do some updating and to have some rest during this sabbatical year. Thanks.

The Vatican Area

While preparing my documents to obtain the so-called "Permesso di soggiorno" (Permit to stay), I had to go to the Vatican Area. Wednesday is the traditional day for the Pope to meet and talk to the Pilgrims in the piazza. Today, 26 May, many people flocked to it. I could not join because I had to finish my task. Traffic in Rome is terrible these days as they themselves, Romans, comment. Especially so when it rains as it did 2 days ago... Some more fotos and a video.

By the way, coming out of the Biblicum this morning, I had the happy surprise of meeting Jun Operiano (TGB) on his way to the Gregorian. Nice to see him; he seemed happy to go to school unlike some people we know! Forza, Jun Ops, Vianney is waiting for you! Ciao!

Rediscovering Rome from a New Perspective

I was here for 10 long years but this time around things seemed more meaningful and fascinating. Hopefully this will remain for the rest of my stay. Enjoy the additional sights and sounds.

CIAO! WE'RE BACK, AFTER ALL

Due to insistent public demand, we are not closing this blog after all! So, take away back the tears, hehe. No... Fr. Frank advised us to simply let this blog be even if it will simply evolve into our personal blog. Maybe he is right; after all, once a Viannista, always a Viannista, right? Ok, so in this "resurrected" version, let me greet all of you in Italian: BENVENUTI o BEN TORNATI! Welcome back! I am writing this now in Rome, a day after I arrived. Owww, what a trip that was, from Manila to Bangkok to Rome! Our flight from Bangkok to Rome was cancelled or rescheduled 7 hours later and we had a difficult time at the airport with not enough information or system we were provided. Any how, we should thank God everything went well and we arrived safely at about 1,30 pm local time. This morning, I got a chance to go out and buy some toiletries. Along the way, I took some pictures of Rome to greet all of you. I also passed by the "Gesu", our mother church and I prayed for all of you my friends and relatives. But to my surprise, I no longer saw the "golden" statue of St. Ignatius at his tomb. I will still find out where it is. My first impression of Rome after 8 years of absence is: it seems cleaner and more beautiful! But many things remain the same... so is my former community at the Biblicum! Hope you will accompany me in this sabbatical journey. CIAO!

PATERHEMON BLOG WILL BID GOODBYE; WELCOME TO THE NEW RECTOR & NEW FORMATORS

It is with deep sadness that the author of this blog, the former Rector, will now bid goodbye to all SJVTS fans and followers. It would have been a joy in my part to continue updating you with all the seminary events; but my term has ended and I have to move on "to other towns." So, with an equally grateful heart, I close the pages of Paterhemon and hope that the blogs of Fr. Frank will suffice to keep you abreast of the latest happenings at SJVTS. Remember to keep posted especially since this is the Silver Jubilee.

Also, please welcome the RECTOR OF SJVTS in the person of REV. FR. CELERINO "CEL" REYES, S.J., the outgoing director of the CIS: Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Fr. Cel is not really new to Vianney. As a young priest, he served here for 3 years, I think, as Vice-Rector. Together with Fr. Cel, coming in as Vianney Formators are Fr. Demli Valmores (CDO) and Fr. Julius Clavero (CDO). Fr. Raul Dael is also due to return to Vianney in June and will return to his post as Director of the SHPFY (formerly SPFY and now a.k.a. "Galilee Year" or GY).

Those exiting, whom we shall accompany with our prayers and profound gratitude, are Fr. Rector, Fr. Abet Uy and Fr. Joey Rapadas. The new administration also signals the beginning of Vianney's journey towards her Golden Jubilee. See you all the Grand Silver Alumni Homecoming which will be--take note--on 23-25 August 2010.

Episcopal Ordination of First Vianney Bishop

It was only a matter of time. But also of God hearing the prayer of the Viannistas, namely, that on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee, SJVTS will be honored with her first bishop-son. There were actually signs to it: his natural grace, prayerfulness and kindness, his popularity not only among the alumni but also among the people of God, and his winning the most coveted prize of the Red Car in the last alumni homecoming! There was only one destiny for former Fr. Joe: the miter, the cap, the purple robe, and the threefold cruciform blessing!

I know all alumni wanted to be present, and a good number were there, in fact! It was an alumni affair of sorts, too. But, for those who could not make it last April 30, you still have the chance to redeem yourselves on May 15 when Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan will be installed in his future See of the Diocese of Malaybalay. See you there! Meanwhile, some few photos of his episcopal ordination.