Since the Parents-Seminarians’ Recollection is held yearly in the 
seminary, my mother has become accustomed to this activity. Even when I was yet about to report to the seminary this formation year, she already asked me about the schedule for parents to come to the seminary. To my mind it was only of less importance. Aside from it was yet so far from the appointed day, the recollection is only one of the many formative activities in the seminary. What I did not realize was the willingness and eagerness of my mother to come. Only after reaping the fruits of the recollection that I recognize the movement of the Spirit who really inspired me in an undetermined and unexpected way. Well, each of us from the facilitator to the most distant relative or friend present in that recollection has one’s own experience of faith prompted by that activity. But I can only competently talk about myself.
At the beginning there was a slight sense of reluctance on my part because it seemed that there was nothing new. We have the same facilitator in all our Parents-Seminarians Recollection. Most of us seminarians with the parents were already familiar with each other. The venue as well is not new to us. The only obvious change is the theme of the recollection. We have reflected together on being and becoming a good shepherd that is founded in the family. The theme was for me a source of consolation since it contains my favorite biblical imagery of the Lord – the Good Shepherd. The sharing of the parents was also very enlightening. It manifested clearly how our parents love and care for us. No one would doubt about the identity of the shepherd being reflected in our parents. And what is more amazing is the fact that this shepherding extends beyond their own immediate family.
In our class we have established a closer bond among ourselves. When our respective families gathered through that recollection I felt more secured. Our parents are becoming shepherds not only of their children but of us all. The plan to gather again regularly after our seminary formation would be a flowing stream where we could easily draw refreshing strength and inspiration for the priestly ministry.
In the seminary we are formed as well to journey with our families. Our group is becoming a family of families. And it is our hope that through this way of life we could redeem the receding value of the family in our contemporary society.
seminary, my mother has become accustomed to this activity. Even when I was yet about to report to the seminary this formation year, she already asked me about the schedule for parents to come to the seminary. To my mind it was only of less importance. Aside from it was yet so far from the appointed day, the recollection is only one of the many formative activities in the seminary. What I did not realize was the willingness and eagerness of my mother to come. Only after reaping the fruits of the recollection that I recognize the movement of the Spirit who really inspired me in an undetermined and unexpected way. Well, each of us from the facilitator to the most distant relative or friend present in that recollection has one’s own experience of faith prompted by that activity. But I can only competently talk about myself.At the beginning there was a slight sense of reluctance on my part because it seemed that there was nothing new. We have the same facilitator in all our Parents-Seminarians Recollection. Most of us seminarians with the parents were already familiar with each other. The venue as well is not new to us. The only obvious change is the theme of the recollection. We have reflected together on being and becoming a good shepherd that is founded in the family. The theme was for me a source of consolation since it contains my favorite biblical imagery of the Lord – the Good Shepherd. The sharing of the parents was also very enlightening. It manifested clearly how our parents love and care for us. No one would doubt about the identity of the shepherd being reflected in our parents. And what is more amazing is the fact that this shepherding extends beyond their own immediate family.
In our class we have established a closer bond among ourselves. When our respective families gathered through that recollection I felt more secured. Our parents are becoming shepherds not only of their children but of us all. The plan to gather again regularly after our seminary formation would be a flowing stream where we could easily draw refreshing strength and inspiration for the priestly ministry.
In the seminary we are formed as well to journey with our families. Our group is becoming a family of families. And it is our hope that through this way of life we could redeem the receding value of the family in our contemporary society.
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