NEWSLETTER SSTUDIUM T THEOLOGIAE F FOUNDATION, INC. () • ISSUE TWENTY FOUR POPE TO THE FILIPINO CLERGY & RELIGIOUS: “BE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST!”

Pope Francis delivers his homily to the clergy and religious during the Holy Mass at the Cathedral on January 16, 2015 AP/L’Osservatore Romano o you love me?” [the people: “Yes!”] Thank you, but I tual worldliness” (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 93)? was reading the word of Jesus! Said the Lord: “Do you love me?… Tend my sheep” (Jn 21:15-17). Jesus’ words (...) The great danger to this, of course, is a certain materialism which to Peter in today’s Gospel are the first words I speak to can creep into our lives and compromise the witness we offer. Only by you, dear brother bishops and priests, men and women re- becoming poor ourselves, by becoming poor ourselves, by stripping Dligious, and young seminarians. These words remind us of something away our complacency, will we be able to identify with the least of our essential. All pastoral ministry is born of love. All pastoral ministry is brothers and sisters. We will see things in a new light and thus respond born of love! All consecrated life is a sign of Christ’s reconciling love. with honesty and integrity to the challenge of proclaiming the radi- Like Saint Therese, in the variety of our vocations, each of us is called, calism of the Gospel in a society which has grown comfortable with in some way, to be love in the heart of the Church. (...) social exclusion, polarization and scandalous inequality.

“The love of Christ impels us” (2 Cor 5:14). In today’s first reading Here I would like to say a special word to the young priests, religious Saint Paul tells us that the love we are called to proclaim is a reconcil- and seminarians among us. I ask you to share the joy and enthusiasm ing love, flowing from the heart of the crucified Savior. We are called of your love for Christ and the Church with everyone, but especially to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20). Ours is a ministry of rec- with your peers. Be present to young people who may be confused onciliation. We proclaim the Good News of God’s infinite love, mercy and despondent, yet continue to see the Church as their friend on the and compassion. We proclaim the joy of the Gospel. For the Gospel journey and a source of hope. Be present to those who, living in the is the promise of God’s grace, which alone can bring wholeness and midst of a society burdened by poverty and corruption, are broken in healing to our broken world. It can inspire the building of a truly just spirit, tempted to give up, to leave school and to live on the streets. and redeemed social order. Proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and (...)The Gospel calls individual Christians to live lives of honesty, in- the family. As you know, these realities are increasingly under attack tegrity and concern for the common good. But it also calls Christian from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for cre- communities to create “circles of integrity”, networks of solidarity ation and betray the very values which have inspired and shaped all which can expand to embrace and transform society by their prophetic that is best in your culture. witness. Filipino culture has, in fact, been shaped by the imagination of faith. The poor. The poor are at the center of the Gospel, are at heart of the Filipinos everywhere are known for their love of God, their fervent Gospel, if we take away the poor from the Gospel we can’t understand piety and their warm devotion to Our Lady and her rosary; their love of the whole message of Jesus Christ. As ambassadors for Christ, we, God, their fervent piety and their warm devotion to Our Lady and her bishops, priests and religious, ought to be the first to welcome his rec- rosary! This great heritage contains a powerful missionary potential. It onciling grace into our hearts. Saint Paul makes clear what this means. is the way in which your people has inculturated the Gospel and con- It means rejecting worldly perspectives and seeing all things anew in tinues to embrace its message (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 122). (...) the light of Christ. It means being the first to examine our conscienc- es, to acknowledge our failings and sins, and to embrace the path of I ask Mary, Mother of the Church, to obtain for all of you an out- constant conversion, every day conversion. How can we proclaim the pouring of zeal, so that you may spend yourselves in selfless service newness and liberating power of the Cross to others, if we ourselves to our brothers and sisters. In this way, may the reconciling love of refuse to allow the word of God to shake our complacency, our fear of Christ penetrate ever more fully into the fabric of Filipino society and, change, our petty compromises with the ways of this world, our “spiri- through you, to the farthest reaches of the world. Amen. n Three STF Alumni ordained bishops this year he Philippines is blessed to have new bishops appointed by the After his ordination to the priesthood on June 10, 1994, he served Holy Father Pope Francis. Three of them were priests who as personal secretary to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, D.D., who was the Twere assisted by the Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. for of Cebu during that time. their studies in Rome and in Spain. They are Most Rev. Marcelino He then pursued for his doctorate studies in Philosophy at the Pon- Maralit, D.D., from the Archdiocese of Lipa and now Bishop of Boac, tifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy and obtained the Marinduque; Most Rev. Dennis Villarojo, D.D. from the Archdiocese degree in 2001. of Cebu and Most Rev. Oscar Florencio, D.D. from the Archdiocese of He was appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis as Auxiliary Bish- Palo, Leyte, both now Auxiliary Bishops of Cebu. op of Cebu on July 3, 2015 and was ordained to the episcopate by Archbishop Jose Palma on August 10, 2015 at the Metropolitan Cathe- dral of the Holy Name of Jesus, Cebu. Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio Maralit, D.D., S.Th.D. Bishop of Boac Most Rev. Oscar Jaime Florencio, D.D., S.Th.D. ishop Marcelino Maralit, D.D. is the fourth Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Bbishop of Boac, Marinduque. He was ap- pointed by His Holiness Pope Francis on De- ishop Oscar Jaime Florencio, D.D. hails cember 31, 2014 and was ordained bishop by His Bfrom the Capoocan, Leyte and was born Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, D.D., on February 5, 1966. He took his philosophi- Archbishop Emeritus of Manila on March 13, 2015 at the Metropolitan cal studies at the Sacred Heart , Palo, Cathedral of San Sebastian, Lipa City, Batangas. He took possession Leyte and his theological studies at the Univer- of the Diocese of Boac on March 17, 2015. sity of Sto. Tomas in Manila. He was ordained to the priesthood for the He took his philosophical studies at the St. Francis de Sales Major Archdiocese of Palo in 1990. Seminary in Lipa City, Batangas and his theological studies at the Uni- From 1994-1999, he was sent to Rome to study Sacred Theology versity of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain. He was ordanied priest for the at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross where he obtained his Archdiocese of Lipa on March 13, 1995. licentiate and doctorate degrees. He later attended post-graduate studies on Church History at the He was then assigned as professor and formator at the St. John the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy. Evangelist School of Theology (SJEST) in Palo, Leyte upon his return from Rome. Eventually, he became the rector of SJEST in 2013. He became the coordinator of the relief operations of the Archdio- Most Rev. Dennis Villajoro, D.D., Ph.D. cese of Palo after the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013. Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu He, together with Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Cebu, was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Cebu on July 3, 2015 by Pope Francis. Arch- ishop Dennis Villarojo, D.D. is one of the bishop John Du of Palo laid his hands on and ordained Florencio to the Btwo newest auxiliary bishops of Cebu, the episcopate on September 4, 2015 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of The other being Bishop Oscar Florencio, D.D. He Transfiguration of Our Lord, Palo, Leyte. Two days later, on Septem- will be assisting Archbishop Jose Palma in serv- ber 6, 2015, he was formally welcomed to the Archdiocese of Cebu by ing the Archdiocese of Cebu. Archbishop Jose Palma. Bishop Villarojo was born on April 18, 1967 in Cebu City. He ------took his philosophical studies at the San Carlos Seminary College in Let us give thanks to the Lord for the blessings bestowed on the Church Cebu and then his theological studies at the University of Sto. Tomas in the Philippines. We continue to pray for our new bishops that they in Manila., where he also obtained his licentiate degree in Ecclesiasti- m a y b e t h e i m a g e o f t h e G o o d S h e p h e r d i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e d i o c e s e s . cal Philosophy. n

work. I also request you to find some persons who can be benefactors for LETTER FROM AN the needs of this mission. ALUMNUS In the meantime I am living in the parish of San Miguel, which is the nearest one to my mission district. Each time I go to celebrate the Holy reetings from the mission islands! Sorry for Mass I need to cross a river and walk for some minutes to the chapel. Gnot having written any letter for some years. Apart from this place I still have to celebrate the Mass each Sunday in Thanks God now I have an opportunity to tell you 4 other towns and barrios where I have to cross under the sun some riv- of some news about my diocese. ers. This tires me and is difficult but I am filled with joy seeing the great A month ago my bishop sent me to a mission place. This little town desire of the faithful to be with the Lord during the celebration of the is called Obo, a place with no more than 200 families. A good number of Eucharist. What happiness to be the instrument of our Lord taking care these families belong to a sect in the Philippines, Iglesia ni Kristo, which of his flock! teaches that Christ is not a real God because he is only a human person. Before beginning this mission work, my bishop presented during At the same time it does not accept the Virgin Mary as the true Mother the Holy Mass in the chapel 2 modern saints, Pope John XXIII and St. of God. Their presence in my mission is more noticeable than in other Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, for the parishioners to choose as their places. In fact the first temple in the island of Catanduanes which the new patron. The faithful chose our Father, St. Josemaría. This is why members of this sect built was here. They have been visiting each family my bishop calls it the St. Josemaría Escrivá Mission Church. I was very almost weekly to persuade our faithful to accept their doctrine. People happy that the faithful chose our Father. It was a great surprise to me are invited to visit their temple which is seen to be more beautiful than which made me shed tears. I told them that I was present during the our chapel. When my bishop saw this situation, he decided to send me to canonization ceremony of our Father in Rome. And that the saint they this small town to take care of the spiritual needs of our faithful. When selected is very near my heart. I see clearly the work of God. he asked me whether I would like to start this pastoral work, without any I would like to request that you pray so God can give me the graces to doubts I accepted it joyfully although I knew well that life in these mis- undertake my pastoral work. sion places is very tough. Fr. Raymund A. Fajardo Since I am the first priest who is going to live in this mission place after so many years of the absence of a parish church or mission chapel (Editor’s Note: Fr. Raymund Fajardo is a priest of the Diocese of Virac. where I can stay, I have to finish its construction within the year and He was a scholar of Studium Theologiae Foundation and he took his refurbish the chapel beautifully that is worthy of a dignified liturgical theological studies at the University of Navarre (Spain) from 2000- celebration. I ask for your prayers for this new pastoral and missionary 2004.) n Support the Training of a Priest

here are many dioceses in the Philippines that need both the facilities for higher ecclesiastical studies and the financial Tmeans to send their future seminary formators and professors to the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarre (Pamplona, Spain) or the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome, Italy).

To address this situation, Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. launched the project “Formation of Priests and Seminarians for the Local Churches” in 1986.

For 29 years now, donations from people from all walks of life have allowed us to assist at least 250 priests and seminarians to study in the aforementioned institutions. We invite you to join us in multiplying good deeds in order to help the Church and the world.

The approximate expenses per year for a priest or seminarian studying at the University of Navarre or at the PontificalU niversity of the Holy Cross can reach up to 14,000 Euros or PhP 791,000.00.

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*Pray for the success of this project.

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STUDIUM THEOLOGIAE FOUNDATION, INC. 5/F Quad Alpha Centrum Bldg., 125 Pioneer Street 1550 City, Philippines

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NEW BATCH OF SCHOLARS OF STUDIUM THEOLOGIAE FOUNDATION FOR THE SY 2015-16 pAlumni from the University of Navarre (top photo) and from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (middle photo) together with For the University of Navarre (Pamplona, Spain) other priests (bottom photo) attended the Updating Seminar organized by Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. at the Tagaytay Conference Center in Mendez, Cavite from October 12-17, 2015. Subjects included topics on Patrology, Canon Law and Cases on Moral Theology.

From left to right: Fr. Emmanuel Magno (Kabankalan), Sem. Gio Abastillas (Cebu), Sem. Honesto Villanueva, Jr. (Masbate), Sem. Rindyll Wakit (Bayombong)

For the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome, Italy)

pMajor seminarians from the Sedes Sapientiae Formation House of the Diocese of Masbate led by their director, Fr. Jomel Ian dela Cruz (seated, left) had their retreat at the Latag Study Camp from October 19- From left to right: Fr. Michael Aguilar (Calbayog), Fr. Ian Calabria (Malaybalay), 22, 2015. Fr. Jimmy Liao, Executive Director of Theological Centrum Sem. Brian Victor de Castro (Sorsogon) (seated, right) was the retreat preacher. Seminarians from different dioceses in the Philippines and China who attended the 2015 Seminar for Seminarinans. Seminar for Seminarians 2015: “Called to Give Mercy and Compassion” by Sem. Brian Victor de Castro

he flame of Pope Francis’ influence as the successor of St. Peter in the Mall of Asia Arena given by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, bishop spread around the world the moment he was elected. His influ- of Antipolo. The six conferences were complemented by three talks en- Tence to the Filipino people was even made stronger during his titled: “Catalysts for Change” by Mr. Mann Rentoy (Character Education pastoral visit in the Philippines last January 2015. In a press briefing soon Partnership Philippines), “The Francis Effect--From Euphoria to Reality after the departure of the Holy Father, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio to Mission” by Fr. Roy M. Bellen (Vice-President of Radyo Veritas, Gen- Cardinal Tagle said: “May I recommend first of all that we spend time eral Manager of TV Maria), and “Philosophical Considerations on Think relishing the event. The event is so deep—so deep. There is so much to Well, Feel Well, Do Well “ by Fr. Roque L. Reyes (PAREF Woodrose reflect on, so much to pray over, so much to learn. And it is only in medi- School). tation, in prayer, in silence, that we can really get to the depths of the pro- found meaning of this event.” In response to the invitation to reflect on The participants were encouraged to continue on being ambassadors of the papal visit messages, the annual seminar for seminarians organized Christ, good pastors, and seminarians as priests for the future, living the by the Theological Centrum (TC), in collaboration with various diocesan three languages of love (of the mind, of the heart and of the hands), know- in the Philippines, was held from May 23 to 26, 2015, having ing their identity as children of God, learning not just the truth, but how as its theme: Called to Give Mercy and Compassion. Fifty seminarians to communicate it, on being aware of what the Holy Father reminded the from fifteen dioceses in the Philippines (Bacolod, Balanga, Bayombong, faithful on “ideological colonization, and especially through prayer, and Calbayog, Cebu, Daet, Ilagan, Legazpi, Lipa, Malolos, Masbate, Pasig, intimate union with God.” San Pablo, Sorsogon and Tarlac) and 2 dioceses (Xuanhua and Zhaoxian) of mainland China gathered at St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo Other activities were included, such as the tertulia (family get-togeth- City for the said seminar er) after every lunch and dinner, during which priests and seminarians shared their life or vocation, thus camaraderie and fraternity among them Four months have passed since the unforgettable experience and, in view were strengthened. Daily sports were also part of the schedule wherein of the forthcoming start of the new school year in the seminaries, Fr. Jim- the seminarians were divided into 4 groups, that is, Mercy and Compas- my L. Liao, Executive Director of TC, reminded the seminarians in his sion (Group 1), Feel Well (Group 2), Think Well (Group 3), and Do Well opening orientation that the seminar was intended for everyone to have (Group 4). They battled again in the Musicale, a simple show on the last a deep personal encounter with Jesus in prayer, activities, and through night wherein all shared their different talents on singing, dancing, act- the speakers assigned in each conference and talk. The four-day seminar ing, and interpretative dance. schedule included daily guided meditations, confessions, Liturgy of the Hours, Holy Mass, Holy Hours, conferences, talks, and a pilgrimage to The seminar may have ended on the afternoon of May 26, 2015, but Our Lady of Antipolo at the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen the refreshed inspiration to mission for the seminarians has just begun. Viaje. They parted ways carrying with them the joy which our Lord Jesus Christ manifested in the Gospels, the same joy which the Holy Father spread in The speakers, armored with abundant wisdom and affected by the “Fran- his visit to the Philippines, to their respective places of mission in their cis Effect”, shared their reflections on the Pope’s messages to the Filipi- dioceses. nos in the following places: at Malacañang Palace given by Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas (Columnist, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer); (Editor’s Note: Sem. Brian de Castro is from the Diocese of Sorsogon University of Sto. Tomas grounds by Fr. Raymund “Lucky” Acuña (Dio- and a scholar of Studium Theologiae Foundation, Inc. He is now hav- cese of Tarlac); by Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese (Diocese ing his seminary formation at the Sedes Sapientiae International Semi- of Pasig); Rizal Park by Fr. Alex O. Bautista (Diocese of Tarlac); Ta- nary and theological studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy cloban Airport by Fr. Jomel Ian E. dela Cruz (Diocese of Masbate), and Cross in Rome.) n

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