Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi? An gladius?
Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter
No. 11
“O risen Lord, all praise to thee,
Who from sin has set us free,
That we may live eternally: Alleluia!”
The Lord is Risen!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To all our confreres,
friends and readers
HAPPY EASTER!
May the Joy and Peace of the
Risen Christ be with you.
Easter 2010
Charis
The Barnabites in the Philippines is growing!
The historical event which took place last February 13
attests to this. Five confreres of the community of St.
Paul Scholasticate were ordained to the Sacred Orders:
two for the priesthood and three for the diaconate.
Indeed, such event is a gift, in Greek “charis,” of God
for us all. For this gift, the community of St. Paul
Scholasticate is thankful to God as it is a sign of His
blessing to them, to the entire Congregation and to
the whole Church.
The Sacred Orders is a gift and a vocation to
share in the priesthood of Christ. Receiving such charis
entails becoming a charis to others, to the people of
God. This means that an ordained minister is to be a
blessing and a gift to others by making God present in
and to the community. He is to carry out his whole
ministry in persona Christi capitis (Presbyterorum Ordinis,
2). This demands dying to oneself so that Christ, the
Eternal Priest may reign in one’s heart. It is only in
such way that the ordained will be able to become a
true gift to and for the community.
Easter is the season for rejoicing. It is
celebrating Christ’s resurrection— a reassuring event
that God’s gift of salvation to mankind is fulfilled. As
we receive this greatest gift of God in Christ, may we
learn to become a gift to others as well. Let us make
Christ present and alive in our hearts and to others by
becoming witnesses of the Gospel and proclaimers of
His resurrection. Happy Easter!
 No. 3
11 iPaul 2
BEHOLD THE SERVANTS OF THE RISEN LORD!
The Ordination to the Priesthood of José Nazareno and Arvin
and the Ordination to the Diaconate of Clyd, Jonathan and Thomas
mark another milestone in the life of the Barnabites in the Philippines.
By Brs. Mark Anthony Pondoc and John Paul Osip

Church with new vocations.

The newly ordained Barnabite priests Fr. Arvin (left)
and Fr. José Nazareno (right) and the newly ordained
Barnabite deacons Rev. Jonathan (extreme left), Rev.
Thomas (next to Fr. Jose) and Rev. Clyd (extreme right).
In the afternoon of 13 February, two
Barnabite deacons received the ordination to the
priesthood and three confreres were ordained to
the diaconate. It was the first time in the life of
the Barnabites in the Philippines that the said
rites were both celebrated in one and the same
Eucharistic celebration, making it indeed a very
memorable event. Divine Providence had once
again blessed the Barnabite congregation and the
At the vigil of the ordination, during the
six o’clock Vespers, the candidates made their
oath of fidelity and the profession of faith in the
presence of the Most Rev. Fr. Giovanni Villa,
Superior General of the Barnabites, and their
families, friends and confreres. The rite took
place in the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel of St.
Paul Scholasticate and was presided by Fr. Villa.
The profession of faith and the oath of fidelity
are done by those who are to be ordained to the
sacred Orders. Both are expressions of an
ordinand’s loyalty and fidelity to God and to
the Church and her teachings in the performance
of his duties and responsibilities as an ordained
minister. It was the first time that the said rite
was introduced in St. Paul Scholasticate.
The much-awaited event took place the
next day. Deacons José and Arvin received the
sacred ordination to the priesthood while Bros.
Clyd, Jonathan and Thomas were ordained to
the diaconate. The bishop of Imus, his Excellency
the Most Reverend Luis Antonio Tagle presided
the Mass and conferred the Sacred Orders on the
confreres. The ordination rites were held at St.
Joseph Chapel of the Congregation of the
Daughters of St. Joseph (also known as
Caburlotto Sisters, a name taken from their
founder, Fr. Luigi Caburlotto) in Barangay Buho,
Amadeo, Cavite. The said chapel was filled with
guests, friends, and benefactors of the Barnabites
and of the ordinandi. The families of the
ordinandi were also present. They traveled from
their home provinces in the Visayas and
Mindanao to Tagaytay in order to witness the
once-in-a-lifetime and very important family
occasion. Because of their number, rooms were not
enough in St Paul Scholasticate to accomodate
them all. But the problem was easily solved thanks
 No. 11 iPaul 3

The newly ordained priests and deacons pose with the bishop and priest-concelebrants.
to the Merciful Sisters and the Hospitaller Sisters Seminary Choir, under the direction of Fr. Jimmy
of Mercy who offered rooms and meals for the Anastacio, CRSP, provided the music and the
families of the ordinandi. A total of almost professed brothers and some altar boys assisted
ninety rooms were opened for the guests. as liturgical servers. The altar was beautifully
The event was also graced with the and artistically decorated thanks to the kindness
presence of Most Reverend Father Giovanni M. of the Caburlotto Sisters and some friends from
Villa, CRSP, Superior General of the Barnabite the San Isidro Labrador chapel, Buho-Amadeo.
Fathers. Also present at the celebration were the The sisters also provided the priests’ stoles, the
parish priest of Fr. Arvin from the Archdiocese best chasuble for the bishop and other materials
of Zamboanga, priests from the Congregation of necessary for the ceremonies.
the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Eudist Fathers),
the Zaccarian family in the Philippines namely
the seminarians of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Seminary in Marikina, the Barnabite postulants
and novices, the lay affiliates of the Barnabites,
the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul, and of course, the
Filipino Barnabite fathers presently assigned in
the communities of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Parish, Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal and St.
Anthony Mary Zaccaria Seminary in Marikina.
Numerous sisters from the various religious
congregations in Tagaytay also came to witness
the ordination. The St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria The ordinandi prostrate for the litany of the saints.
 No. 3
11
Fr. José “Joens” Nazareno Solijon Gabato,
CRSP was born on the 5th of September 1979. He
hails from Cortes, Bohol, Diocese of Tagbilaran.
He is the youngest of the nine siblings of the late
Catalino Gabato and Ereberta Solijon. He joined
the Barnabites in 1998. He obtained his
baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the
Divine Word Seminary (DWS), Tagaytay City.
Fr. Arvin Alvarez Dagalea, CRSP was born on
2nd December 1976 in the city of Zamboanga,
Archdiocese of Zamboanga. He is the 8th in the
brood of eleven children of Bienvenido Dagalea
and the late Asuncion Alvarez. He entered the
congregation in 2003 some years after finishing
college. Born on 19 July 1979 in Talibon, Bohol,
Diocese of Tagbilaran is Rev. Clyd Sumayo
Autentico, CRSP. He is the sixth child of Mr. and
Mrs. Ernesto Autentico. Rev. Jonathan Galope
Ramoso, CRSP is from Kinoguitan, Misamis
Oriental, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. He
was born on the 25th of June 1983 and he is the
second son of Jeanito Ramoso and Claudia
Galope. Lastly, Rev. Thomas Federick Salvador
Tabada, CRSP is the youngest son of Avelino
Tabada and Enriquita Salvador. Born on October
19, 1983, he grew up in Cebu City but his family
is now based in Trinidad, Bohol, Diocese of
Talibon. The three newly ordained deacons
joined the Barnabites in 2000. They have just
finished their third year of theological studies at
the Divine Word Seminary.
Before the bishop imparted the final
blessing, Fr. Arvin Dagalea, on behalf of the
newly ordained, thanked all those present for
Fr. Arvin and Fr. José celebrate their first Mass
with the bishop while the deacons assist.
iPaul 4
From left: Fr. Frank Papa, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle,
Fr. Giovanni Villa and Fr. Joselito Ortega at table.
the celebration. He likewise expressed his
gratitude to their families and friends and to all
the fathers who accompanied them in their
formation. Fr. Joselito Ortega, delegate superior
of the Barnabites in the Philippines, also
conveyed his message of appreciation to the
bishop and to all who came for the celebration.
And finally, Fr. Giovanni Villa announced the
assignments of the newly ordained priests. He
and his council in Rome had decided to assign
Fr. José to the Barnabite North American
Province while Fr. Arvin will remain in St. Paul
Scholasticate community to finish his last
semester of theological studies at DWS. The new
deacons will likewise stay in the same community.
After the two-hour Mass, a simple dinner
was shared by all those present in Fr. Luigi
Caburlotto School Gymnasium located at the
right side behind the chapel. Bishop Tagle also
stayed and spent some time with the fathers.
The community of St. Paul Scholasticate
expresses its heartfelt appreciation and thanks to
the Caburlotto Sisters for their generous and
kind help, to the Merciful Sisters and the
Hospitaller Sisters of Mercy who opened their
convents to the families and guests of the
confreres, to all the Barnabite confreres and
friends who offered their prayers for the newly
ordained and to all those who contributed in any
way possible to make the affair memorable and
successful. To all of you, maraming salamat po!
To the new priests and deacons, congratulations
and God bless you in your ministry!
 No. 3
11 iPaul 5

Mula sa puso ng mga bagong Diyakono …

(From the hearts of the new deacons)

Diaconate: A Gift and Service  “Dying to Myself” 
Rev. Deacon Jonathan Ramoso, CRSP  Rev. Deacon Thomas Federick Tabada, CRSP 
   
I  was  shocked  when  my  rector  told  me  that  I  I  received  the 
would  receive  the  Order  of  deacon  in  the  month  of  ordination  to  the  
February. I had mixed feelings when I heard it—feelings of  diaconate  last  February 
joy,  fear  and  anxiety.  I  did  not  know  if  what  I  heard  was  13.  It  is  an  Order  that 
real  or  simply  an  illusion.  A  part  of  myself  told  me  to  entails  service.  It  is  not 
accept  it  wholeheartedly  while  another  encouraged  me  just  any  form  of  service 
not to. To make the dramatic scene short, I said my “Yes”  but  a  humble  service. 
to the Lord—with “tears” of joy and acceptance to what it  This  service  involves 
entails  and  including  the  responsibility  it  bears.  I  found  dying  to  myself  to 
two  words  that  best  describe  the  Order  of  deacon:  GIFT  enable  me  to  be 
and SERVICE.  available for others. It is 
             I  remember  one  time  during  our  class  with  Bishop  in  this  availability  that  I 
Tagle  on  Grace,  he  reminded  us  that  we  cannot  demand  will  be  able  to  give  a 
our rector to approve our ordination because no one can  spontaneous and pure service to others. This spontaneity 
find  oneself  worthy,  unblemished  and  “called  by  God”.   and  availability  require  from  me  genuine  love.  If  in 
We should not say: “Ordain me now!” because vocation is  rendering my service I am compelled by obligation and not 
a  gift,  gratuitously  given  to  us  by  God.  Perhaps,  this  may  by love then my service to the other is superficial. It is the 
be the underlying reason that when I begged my rector for  love of the other that should compel me to serve others at 
“another time” for the ordination, he just said, “accept it  all cost. I give my service to you because I love you and I 
wholeheartedly because God makes us worthy.” Now, I’m  see Jesus in you. It is not because I can benefit from you 
cherishing  and  would  continue  to  cherish  this  gift  of  later  or  I  expect  something  in  return  to  the  service  I 
vocation of being a deacon. And because it is a gift, I will  rendered.  Indeed,  if  a  deacon  serves  while  expecting 
treasure  it.  This  is  a  treasure  not  to  be  kept  to  my  own   something, what makes him different from a daily worker 
self‐advantage  but  above  all,  it  is  God’s  gift  to  me  for  who exacts his services through his salary?  
others’  good,  the  “poor”  people  who  are  worthy  and    The  ministry  to  deaconate  does  not  expect  any 
deserving of a generous service without payment.  return  and  does  not  choose  people  to  whom  a  deacon 
         I admit that “service” is a beautiful word to hear but  offers  his  service.  This  ministry  was  given  to  me 
at  the  same  time  difficult  to  do.  “Lip  service”  is  a  lousy  gratuitously so that I would also give my service to people 
service. A service offered during the Mass is a “Part One”  gratuitously. This is the result of the free gift given to me 
of  the  vocation  of  deacons  like  me.  Service  becomes  by  God  through  our  congregation.  I  am  really  blest  and 
challenging  when  one  “walks  the  talk”,  reaching  out  and  thankful to God for giving me this gift. I am really humbled 
touching  people’s  lives  and  crying  out  on  their  behalf.  to accept this gift. This is a gift that entails responsibility as 
Personally, I prefer to assist in  well as accountability. I am indeed accountable to God, to 
Masses outside our seminary. I  our  congregation  and  to  the  faithful  in  my  words  and 
truly admit it: I am hesitant to  actions. Thus I am responsible to them. I hold this gift with 
preach  and  utter  words  which  utmost care and love. If ever I fail to perform my ministry 
I  do  not  live  out  inside  the  of service to others, I hope that no one would hesitate to 
seminary  with  my  confreres.  remind  me  of  my  ministry  for  I  know  that  is  a  task  to  be 
This is a reality and a challenge  fulfilled in love.  
for  me  as  a  deacon.  At  the 
end, I hope that the joy of my  Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?
being a deacon will bloom and 
be fully realized. 
            Thank you Lord for your 
precious Gift and Love! 
 No. 3
11 iPaul
Our Indonesian and three Filipino confreres share
their experiences in the Eternal City.
Viva la Vita Romana!
Being here in Rome would mean a lot to everyone
even to non-Christians. There are many things to see and
enjoy and for me there are three most important things. First
is the experience of being with the Barnabite community not
only here in Rome but also with the other communities here
in Italy. Second is to see the Vatican and the Holy Father.
And third is to visit historically important churches.
We had visited our communities in San Felice and
the two communities in Naples. We are also scheduled to
visit places where the Barnabites are present here in Italy. I
am particularly excited to visit Milan where we can find the
remains of our holy Founder St. Anthony Zaccaria. We
have been staying here in Rome since November 3 last year.
In all these communities that we have visited, I’ve been con-
soled from my nostalgia by the welcoming and fraternal
spirit of our Barnabite fathers and brothers. My experience
with them has helped me a lot to love more the congrega-
tion and the spirit of the Holy Founder.
My Vatican experience was so exciting especially
that of seeing the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. The first
time I saw him was last December 8 in Piazza Spagna. I
remember how my heart beat knowing that I will see the
successor of Peter. There was a woman beside me shouting
"Viva il papa!" I was not able to say any word, I stood in awe,
clapping my hands with the biggest smile I ever had. Every
Sunday when there is free time, I am always present in the
Vatican for the Angelus. It is very consoling to see people of
different races gather together to pray with the Holy Father.
I was also happy during the day of consecrated life last Feb-
ruary 2. I was seated near the papal altar! Every Sunday, I go
to the Vatican to attend the Vespers. I also enjoy so much
visiting the churches when we have a spare time. Those
which I’ve known only through books and the internet have
come alive in my eyes!
I have learned many things here in Rome not only
from our formators and from the things I have seen but also
by listening to the stories of other people especially that of
the Filipinos. I met people of different races with rich stories
to tell. Now that I have experienced being with Italians my
personal view of them has also changed; it is far better than
what I thought. As for the Filipinos here, I am very much
humbled by their faith and by the sacrifices they do for their
families. I was surprised to know that almost all the churches
in Rome have a Filipino community. They celebrate Mass in
Pilipino or English. The Centro Filippino is the chaplaincy
for the Filipinos here in Rome.
I thank God for all these graces. I thank my
Barnabite community for our very enriching experience
here in Rome. I thank my formators for their kindness and
fraternal love. Salamat po! (Br. Joseph Bernales, CRSP)
6
I am grateful to God for the blessings that He has
given me. My stay here in Rome has given me a lot of op-
portunity to discover my self deeply. Being with others with
different cultures, mentalities, and behavior are God’s gifts
to me. They have become my “teachers”, “co-journeyers”
and inspiration—my teachers because they have taught me
many things indispensable to my life as a seminarian and
religious. They have taught me how to be patient, under-
standing and responsible. Being my co-journeyers they have
helped me to journey towards God better. They are my in-
spiration because they have inspired me in my endeavours.
These good things that happened in my life cannot be re-
placed by anything else.
A rare experience ... Snow in Rome!
Being here for five months now, I have been to
some famous places which many dream to see. Visiting St.
Peter’s Basilica is one of my experiences that I can boast of.
I go there every Sunday evening to participate in the Vespers
in Latin. I met there many religious men and women. Some
of them were Filipinos so I grabbed the chance to know
their experiences and sacrifices. Listening to their stories, I
had learned things that are beneficial to my life. I’ve also
known some lay Filipinos working here. They too have their
own stories to share. I had learned something from them
which I never encountered in my study of Theology. Their
experiences of being here for many years, the problems that
they encountered with their employers, the reality and cul-
ture here in Rome have somehow widened my horizon and
perspective in life.
I have also personally seen the pope. My heart
exalted with joy the first time I saw him! I sensed the
“aroma” of holiness and simplicity. I once attended the Ves-
pers he presided and a lot of people were present. I was
touched the moment he passed by the aisle. People were
 No. 3
11 iPaul
shouting exultantly and some were also crying. That particu-
lar moment had given me a special feeling because of the
different expressions of faith by the people.
I have also learned from the good example of our
fathers. They are very understanding. They have been al-
ways encouraging us to speak Italian. At first, I had difficulty
to communicate with them because I can only speak little
Italian and they speak little English. But little by little,
through constant effort and daily communication with them,
I finally learned the language. The more mistakes I commit-
ted, the more I learned. They have also taught me to be
humble and simple. Father General, Fr. Villa is the one who
would drive the van whenever we go to some places here.
Other priests have also helped us greatly through their good
words, actions and example.
My stay here in Rome is a great help to my forma-
tion as a seminarian and religious. It has given me a lot of
lessons and insights which are very essential to my life as a
Barnabite. Everyday I nourish myself with the word of God.
For me, this is a very good remedy to fight lukewarmness.
Even our founder St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria encourages us
his children to fight lukewarmness. However, I also encoun-
tered challenges here but it neither hindered nor bothered
my love to serve the Lord. Instead it helped me a lot to ma-
turity. As a soldier of Christ, I always love challenges. For it
is in the challenges that I can see myself and apply what I
have learned. The more challenges I have encountered, the
more I have grown in my faith in the Lord. (Br. Pat Golis,
CRSP)
90 DAYS: A SPRITUAL JOURNEY
“A heart in tune with God will truly sing His praises
even in the midst of trials. I believe that God is always good
even when life is not. It is because I live not for life but for
God.” Ninety days in Rome are my spiritual journey. It is a
sign of God’s true love for me that never ends. It is also a
blessing to share. It is a special moment to remember.
I left the Philippines on the 29th of December 2009
and arrived in Rome on the next day. I was alone! I did not
know who and what was on the way. But God gave me
somebody to be my friend. God showed me the way. He
was like a single bulb that illuminated a dark room. And I
also trusted myself—I have a good heart that tells me where
to go. I entrusted everything to God because whenever He is
involved in my life, everything is fine. For He has a beautiful
way of bringing the good music out of broken chords.
In Rome, my confreres and I visited historic places
like the basilicas of St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Ma-
jor and others. When I visited those places, I felt I were in
Paradise. Maybe God has set a place for me in His heart,
not in this world. I believe that because this world is tempo-
rary but in God’s hands, I am saved and blessed forever.
And I realized that behind every event is God’s purpose. At
times, what I consider a trial is simply His way to make my
life more meaningful. God has a reason for allowing things
to happen. “Thank you, Father, for the love and for all the
7
The nine (9) tremesanti or candidates for solemn
profession pose with Barnabite Bishop Andrea Erba and
Fr. Villa, the assistants general, the provincial superiors
and delegate superiors during the general assembly
held in Rome last 24-26 February.
blessings you have given me and the trials that make me
what and who I am now. May your power guide me, your
might uphold me, your wisdom teach me and your eyes
watch over me all the times.”
Apart from visiting historic places, we are being
molded to truly become Barnabites someday. We have class
everyday. We also have time to pray. I remember that
prayer is an open line to the Father in heaven. No card to
use. No low battery problem. No charging. Signals are al-
ways good. And all messages are sent. So, I make prayer a
habit. I never forget to pray, to thank God for all the bless-
ings He has given me. No matter how good and bad, there is
always a reason and it is always for the best. In fact, here in
Rome I saw with my own eyes what snow looked like. It was
a blessing!
It is life! It is from B to D, Birth to Death. Do you
know what is between B and D? It is C! What does it sig-
nify? This C stands for Christ! He is the centre of every-
thing. He is my Lord, in whom I trust. That is why I never
give up in following Him. Life must go on whatever hap-
pens. If I give up on the coldness of the winter, I will surely
miss the promise of spring, the beauty of summer and the
fulfilment of the fall. I never let the pain of one season de-
stroy the joy of the rest. I will not judge life by just one diffi-
cult season. Instead, I must persevere. For this reason, I ask
God’s wisdom to know what to do. I ask Him to cultivate
my skills, so that I would know how to do something. I ask
Him to enable me to know the virtues that would lead me to
do His will. I can accomplish all these beautiful things
through the help of His Son, Jesus Christ.
It is my experience! I want to enjoy, to live and to
make each moment of my life beautiful. It is because each
moment of my life is a picture which I have never seen be-
fore and which I will never see again. That is why in order to
make my life count, I spend it on things that count. It happens
 No. 3
11 iPaul
with the help of God. I will walk in His ways and truly I ap-
preciate all the days that He gives me. Life must continue
whatever happens. “Lord, when I am tired and weary, please
give me rest. When I am weak, may you be my strength.
When I am disappointed, help me to trust in you alone.
When I am hurting, heal me. When I lose sight of life, re-
store your spirit within me. When things seem impossible,
let your will be done.”
In the end of my spiritual journey, I want to thank
all of you who helped me in my journey towards Him. I will
never forget you! You make my life colourful and worth
living. For that, I just pray for God’s power to guide you, His
might to uphold you, His wisdom to teach you and His eyes
to watch over you at all the times. And Jesus is the best
friend you will ever have. He will walk with you every step of
the way. I may not be there for you, but He is there always
to take care of you.
Ninety days are over. I flew back to the Philip-
pines. I left Rome on the 29th March. It was like a dream: a
dream to be with Jesus forever. It is my song that plays
memories across hidden screens behind my eyes. God
bless! (Br. Yohanes Koten, CRSP)
I wrote this article to share my struggles and tri-
umphs four months after I had left the Philippines in order
to venture into a land where most Catholic pilgrims wish to
go. I went to a land that was founded and fortified by the
sweat and blood of the builders of a great civilization, known
to many as the Roman Civilization.
Rome is totally diverse from the place where I had
lived and had grown up. The place is absolutely different in
its culture, traditions, practices, and the weather. There were
doubts and fears that were lurking inside my heart and mind
before I left my homeland. But I courageously conquered
such mixed feelings; not because I had no other choice, but
rather, I needed to surmount it for the greater glory of God.
Like a soldier who leaves his home and goes to a battlefield
with uncertainty of what lies ahead, I also packed up my
things, left my community and my country, and brought
courage and fervent faith in order to survive the battery of
tests that awaited me in this far distant land. Akin to some of
the tales of adventure written by the great authors of our
time, my story also undergoes struggles and triumph as I
continued my day-to-day engagements with peoples from
different walks of life.
We know for a fact that life is not that easy when
one travels into a foreign land, especially if the language is
totally different from what one has already been used to.
This is one of the many struggles that I have faced upon my
arrival in Rome. In spite of the fact that I had already
studied the Italian language prior to my journey to Rome,
still such studies were not sufficient. The reason is that a
language needs to be practiced every day through verbal
communication. For more than a month, I had grimaced in
anguish due to my difficulties in speaking and
comprehending the Italian language.
8
The weather of the place is another difficulty that a
person will face when he is in a foreign land. The winter
season in Rome was an unforgettable experience for me. I
grew up in a tropical country. There’s no such thing like
winter or snow in the country from which I came. The
winter cold in Rome was really a tough test for me. For
more than four months I had no choice but to wear thick
clothes, and when I was in bed, I used to cover myself with
layers of woolen blankets for the heating system in my room
was not in good working condition. However, such difficulty
was compensated when for the first time in my life I
experienced the awesome beauty of the winter snow. Snow
is almost unknown in Rome, and even on the coldest days in
winter, the sun usually makes a generous appearance. I was
fortunate!
“There were doubts and fears that were lurking inside
my heart and mind before I left my homeland.
But I courageously conquered such mixed feelings;
not because I had no other choice, but rather, I
needed to surmount it for the greater glory of God.”
Another test that I had also experienced in Rome
was the Christmas celebration. The Christmas period in
Rome really begins on the 8th of December, the feast of the
Immaculate Conception, when the Pope goes to the Spanish
Steps, and flowers are placed before a statue of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Other highlights of the Christmas season in
Rome are the papal midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and
the Pope’s Christmas message to the world at the balcony of
St. Peter's Basilica at noon on Christmas Day. In my opin-
ion these are the major events for Christmas in Rome.
Unlike in the Philippines, one could already feel the spirit of
Christmas when Christmas songs can be heard everywhere.
In the Philippines we have 9 days of “Simbang Gabi” (dawn
Mass), the Christmas carols, the miniature lights and most of
all, the “Noche Buena” together with the family. The ab-
sence of this Christmas spirit was tough, not only to me, but
also to my confreres. It is tough in a sense that the Filipino
spirit of Christmas is totally different from the Christmas
celebrations to which the Italians are already accustomed.
These are just few of the many experiences that I
had encountered in Rome. My story was indeed a story of
struggles and triumph because, in spite of the tests that I had
gone through, I had surpassed and had conquered my
difficulties in Rome. For more than 5 months of my stay in
Rome, I proved to myself that there’s nothing impossible if
one is really determined to survive amidst the complexities
of the place. It isn’t easy to settle even for a short while in a
land which is not of your own. One becomes a complete
stranger, not only to the inhabitants, but also to the system of
practices and norms which are proper to that place.
Lastly, I believe that a good story is made possible
if the reader gets into the heart of the character of the story.
I hope you feel the same things I have in my heart. (Br.
Rosauro M. Valmores, CRSP)
 No. 3
11 iPaul 9

BARNABITE PENANCES
by Fr. Giovanni Scalese, CRSP

Fr. Giovanni Scalese, former rector and father Master of St. Paul Scholasticate, shares with us the Barnabite tradition on penances.

Penance is one of the essential elements of religious life. One of the first documents of the
post-conciliar renewal, the motu proprio “Ecclesiae Sanctae” (1966) stated: “Religious should devote
themselves to works of penance and mortification more than the rest of the faithful.” And another sub-
sequent document about “The Contemplative Dimension of Religious Life” (1980) added: “Religious
communities must be manifestly praying and also penitential communities in the Church, remembering
the conciliar guideline that penance ‘must not be internal and personal only, but also external and so-
cial’ (SC 110).”
Actually, especially in the past, “monk” was considered as a synonym of “ascetic”. Some reli-
gious orders were renowned for their special penances: the Carthusians for their continuous silence;
the Minims for their fourth vow of vita quadragesimalis (“Lenten life”), which implied perpetual absti-
nence from meat.
Even our Founder, in his draft of Constitutions (never approved by the Church), turns out to be
very strict: he allows to eat meat only on the most important solemnities of the year, and prescribes
fasting from All Saints’ Day to Easter and, in the rest of the year, on Wednesday and Friday. But in the
chapter “On the Formation of Novices” we find a revealing provision: “Let him [viz. the Master] teach
the novices to observe silence and other exterior ceremonies … and seriously consider the reasons
why such ceremonies have been established, rather than view them as a goal.”
The first approved Constitutions (1552) decree fasting during Advent, Lent and on Friday in the
rest of the year (except in Eastertide), and abstinence on every Wednesday of the year.
The definitive Constitutions (1579) devote chapter seven of the second book to “Fasting and
Other Bodily Penances,” where the discipline established in the previous Constitutions is taken up. A
general rule is added: “Let everybody try, in imitation of our Saint Paul, to chastise his body and bring
it into subjection (1 Cor 9:27), so that it may not be a hindrance to the spirit, but serve it, and so they
may present their bodies a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1).” The 1579 Constitutions introduce a new possi-
bility: “In order to renew the remembrance of the Lord’s passion, we commend those who, for instance
once a week, will scourge themselves (the so called ‘discipline’). But, when they want to do it, they are
to ask the Superior’s permission, and act according to his instructions.” This prudence, this balance,
this moderation have always been characteristic of our Congregation; they were referred to with the
Latin term discretio (“discretion”). It should also be noted that for the Barnabites obedience is more
important than penitence: as Scripture says, “Obedience is better than sacrifices” (1 Sam 15:22).
In the same book of the 1579 Constitutions there is another chapter (the fourteenth) about si-
lence. This should be observed in certain places and moments (in the
choir; during community meetings or “chapters”; in the refectory during
meals; after compline until morning).
After Vatican Council II these Constitutions were replaced by new
ones (1983). In the Congregation’s present statutes, articles 27 to 31 are
devoted to “Life of Penance and Asceticism.” Number 30 gives us a few
examples of mortification: “The spirit of penance commits us to the prac-
tice of various forms of spiritual asceticism which animate religious life,
such as: continuous and extended prayer; search and acceptance of
God’s will; acceptance of other people; offering to God our limitations;
interior and exterior silence; custody of the heart and discipline in using
earthly possessions.” As you can see, there is no special prescription; but
what is of the essence is not lacking.
 No. 3
11 iPaul 10
Easter Reflection

Easter Makes a Difference

by Fr. Michael M. Mancusi, CRSP

"I've never seen such a crowd in church", a woman once exclaimed. The number of people who had
come to a particular church over the Easter period apparently impressed her. Then as she was shaking hands
with the pastor at the door, she added, "Do you suppose it will make any difference?" Before she could get away
the pastor quickly asked, "What do you mean? Will what make any difference?" "Easter!" she shot back. Will
Easter make any difference for all these people, or will life tomorrow be the same as it was yesterday?"
This little incident at the church door starts us thinking. The woman's question is a very important one.
Will Easter make any difference? We celebrate Easter with so much enthusiasm and gusto. We sing those
beautiful Easter hymns. We hear the Easter message once again. For people who worship over Easter, will life
go on "as usual", as this unknown person asked, or will there somehow be a difference? Will Easter make a
difference to each of us?
A quick glance at what happened to the disciples after Easter reveals that the events of that weekend
did make a difference in their lives. We hear how the disciples were cowering in fear behind locked doors on
Easter Day. And they were even more terrified when Jesus suddenly appeared before them. It is only after Jesus
had told them to look at his hands and feet and watch him eat a meal that a difference was made in their
outlook. We are told that "they were full of joy and wonder."
The disciples became different people because their Lord was not dead but alive. They were in the
presence of the living Lord. An example of the change the resurrection made to people’s lives is seen in those
two men who were walking to Emmaus on the afternoon of the resurrection. The person on whom they had
pinned all their hopes was dead. They had given up
everything to follow him. They had seen him on the cross,
and what is more, now his body had vanished. They are
feeling depressed and confused. What are they going to do
now?
But look at the difference in those men when they
realized that the very person with whom they were talking
was the risen Lord Himself. You can see the resurrection
peace take over their lives. They are no longer confused and
troubled, worried and anxious, but filled with the joy and
confidence that the presence of the living Lord in their lives
gives. They know that Jesus had not just died as any other
man, but that He had restored fellowship with God and had
destroyed sin and death. When they raced back to the other
disciples they found that they too had exciting news. I can
imagine the joy as they shouted to the travelers from
Emmaus as they entered the room, "Hey guys! We have seen
Jesus. He has risen from the dead!" But what difference does
the resurrection make to us today? Does Easter still have the Easter breaks down the barriers
same effect on people today as it did back then in those early
centuries?
between God and us ...
I know we have heard the Easter story many times. Because of Easter we are able
It’s not like we have heard it for the first time and so are all to have fellowship with God,
excited about the amazing resurrection of Jesus from the
dead. But this doesn’t change the fact that Easter does make
or perhaps it is better to say,
a difference to people even in the 21st century. The events of GOD is able to have fellowship
Good Friday and Easter tell us loudly and clearly God has with US.
left no stone unturned to save all people, including us today.
 No. 3
11 iPaul 11
The wonderful results of Jesus' death and resurrection are
passed on to us at our baptism and when we celebrate Eucharist
together. In these sacraments God gives to us the forgiveness Jesus won
for us on the cross. He gives us eternal life and the promise that we too
shall rise from the dead. We are His people. We are His forgiven,
resurrected people. We belong to Him; we are members of His family.
Do you see what is happening here? Because we share in the
forgiveness and the resurrection of Jesus, because we have been
reconciled with God and all believers are at peace with God, God brings
us close together. God has put His chosen, forgiven, resurrected people
together in the one holy Christian Church made up of Jesus’
disciples. You see, Easter breaks down the barriers between God and us.
Easter gets rid of the sin barrier that prevents us from enjoying the
privilege of approaching God's throne in prayer. Easter gets rid of the
sin barrier that would prevent us from entering heaven. Easter gets rid of everything that stands between God
and us. Because of Easter we are able to have fellowship with God, or perhaps it is better to say, GOD is able to
have fellowship with US.
How many times does the resurrected Jesus approach His disciples with the words: Peace be with you?
It’s true He wanted to calm their fears that He wasn't a ghost, but He was also conveying to them a much deeper
truth, that is, His death and resurrection have brought true peace to the relationship between God and His
people. And because we have peace and fellowship with our heavenly Father and we have been joined together
in Christ through our Baptism, it follows then that we, the forgiven and the resurrected, have fellowship with
one another. When I say "fellowship" I don't just mean that we have a bring and share meal every now and then
or a church picnic or invite people from the church around for a meal or afternoon tea. These kinds of events are
important and help us to get to know one another, but Christian fellowship goes much deeper than that.
Christian fellowship has its beginnings in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Just as barriers have been broken down between God and us, so also walls come down between those
who are forgiven and resurrected. Relationships are restored and recreated and built up. That is the beginning
of true fellowship between Christians. We have true fellowship with one another because we have all been
united with Christ. The apostle Paul says to the Colossians, "You have died with Christ … you have been raised to
new life with Christ… you are the people of God. Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each
other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the
most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the
peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace" (Col 3:12-
15).
Paul here is describing what it is that builds up fellowship between Christians. We have died with
Christ and so have the selfishness, unkindness, lack of consideration for others, back stabbing, unkind criticism,
failure to understand and be compassionate – all these have died with Christ on the cross. We have been raised
to new life. As Paul said, "Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us" (Col 3:11). This newness and the fact
that Christ lives not just in me, but in all of us, has serious implications for us as the people of God. And we
need to be reminded of this especially in this day and age when there is such an emphasis on the individual and
the meeting of the individual’s needs over and above the needs and rights of others. Listen again to the words
Paul uses: “tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgive the person who offends you, you must
wear love, be bound together in perfect harmony, live in peace.” (Col. 3:12-15) Every one of these says that the new
me, the Christ in me, makes a difference. I am not concerned chiefly with my needs and wants but I am more
concerned how I treat those with whom I have been united in Christ.
The New Testament talks a lot about "sharing" and "participating" together, "having things in common"
as his people. In fact, in the original language of the New Testament, to "share" and to "have fellowship" was the
same word. We share forgiveness when we hurt and get upset with one another. We share care and concern
when there is need and we’re happy to give someone a hand when they aren’t coping. We share our love where
there is sadness and setback. We share the gospel of hope and forgiveness with those who are struggling with a
 No. 3
11 iPaul 12
particular sin, or need help to sort through some

g{x cÉxàËá fÑtvx

difficulty. We share our talents and abilities so that
others can enjoy fellowship with Jesus and with his
forgiven and resurrected people. We share together in
prayer, in worship, in studying God's Word. We
share together, or have fellowship together; we have
"something in common" because we all share the
YOUR WILL BE DONE
same Lord and Saviour.
We all receive forgiveness from the same You, intently I look
Christ; we have all been baptized and joined to the You, on the way to Calvary
same Jesus; we all eat and drink the same body and You are bloody, mocked, spot, stepped on
blood in the Sacrament; we are all sharers together in You are silent, nothing else you could do.
the one body of Christ, the Church. We have been
made one in the body of Christ and therefore we are
obliged to be understanding and tolerant. We are You carry the heavy Cross
bound to accept that some people are different to us, You carry our sins
and try to see their point of view. You fall and arise, never surrender
To share and have things in common has a Your love for us makes you continue
profound effect on our lives. Recall what the Book of to the end.
Acts says about the very early Christians. We read:
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to Your sweat falls down
the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.... All
the believers were together and had everything in common
Your breath is so hard
… they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they Your Cross becomes heavier
continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke You are still faithful until Calvary.
bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts… (Acts 2:44-47). You are hanging on the Cross
These acted this way because they had one You cry aloud to the Father
thing in common – that is their unity in the Lord You, my Father, pass me by this cup
Jesus. And because of this oneness they seek to
express this in the way their care and share with one
Your will be done, not my will.
another. Paul puts it bluntly, "Do not … destroy what
God has done" (Rom 14:20). And what has God done? You understand the will of the Father
He has brought us all together in fellowship to share You love us so much
together and to have in common the forgiveness and You nail our sins on the Cross
life he has won for in the resurrection and death of You bring us back to God.
Jesus.
And so Easter is the key to our living together Your sacrifice makes us God’s children
in our homes, our community and our Church. We
can see ourselves as forgiven and beloved sinners and
Your Holy Cross sanctifies our lives
we see our family members, our friends, our enemies, Your Blood becomes our drink
and our fellow church member as a people for whom Your Body becomes our food.
Christ has also died. God has established fellowship
with each of us, and because of that we have You, on the way to Calvary
fellowship with one another. You bring us salvation
The resurrection of Christ did make a You surrender to the will of God
difference to the early disciples. There's no doubt “Your will be done.”
about it. But the question before us: Will it make any
difference for those people who celebrate Easter
today? Will it make any difference to you and me? -Br. John Koten, CRSP
 No. 3
11 iPaul 13

… and we survived another year!

Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Fr. Michael Sandalo, CRSP
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Is there any sense to rejoice despite the sad events that occur in our daily lives? Are there valid reasons to smile
and be happy when life appears to be a series of ups and downs? Yes, there is sense and there are valid reasons to be happy
and to rejoice even if life becomes burdensome. Counting one’s blessings and looking more at the bright side of life would
surely give one the reason to rejoice.
Another seminary year has just passed and, we, in the St. Paul Scholasticate community cannot help but “rejoice
and be glad” for another blessed year. It has been a year filled with fun and excitement, full of surprises and gifts wrapped
in many ways, a year bursting with many blessings. It has been a year of crosses and crowns, of sadness and joys. And we
have concluded the academic year thankful and very grateful to the Lord and to the many persons who have accompanied
us.
We recall the many happy events of the seminary year 2009-2010. We remember the visits of the VIPs of our
congregation: first, Fr. Giuseppe Bassotti, former superior general; second, Fr. Peter Calabrese, superior of the Barnabite
community in Lewiston and councilor of the Barnabite North American Province; and of course, the most important was
the visit of the most Reverend Fr. Giovanni Villa, our superior general. The St. Paul Scholasticate community had truly
been blessed by the presence of these confreres. Friends and relatives of our confreres also came to experience the joy of
the scholasticate community. Regina Reale and her daughter Kristen, both from the U.S. and friends of our fathers stayed
with us for a four-day visit. It also became an opportunity for our young confreres to know new persons and new friends.
The past year has been blessed with the gift of vocations. We rejoiced at the first profession of vows of ten
confreres, indeed, a record-breaking number! We witnessed the solemn profession, diaconal ordination and the priestly
ordination of five confreres. In the academic side, our confreres studying at the Divine Word Seminary have been
consistent achievers. Three brothers made it to the prestigious Dean’s List and the results of the final comprehensive
exams have been very satisfactory. Two confreres had earned their academic degress in Theology. The dean of studies
and the professors likewise praised the perseverance and hard-work of our seminarians. They proved that they could
become the next Aquinas and Ratzinger! Many, too, have been achievers in the field of sports. Let us rejoice in the Lord!
Community activities, both inside and outside the seminary, have also been plentiful. The fathers and brothers
engaged themselves in various activities that strengthened the esprit de corps and community living. Even the simple
conversations and laughters during meals and leisure times have been a cohesive force among the seminarians and fathers.
Hindi matatawaran at tunay na walang sukat ang tawanan at kwentuhan sa loob ng seminaryo!
The past year has also been a difficult one for us all. Moments of trials and sadness have been part and parcel of
our life. We experienced the pain of losing a confrere who had decided to leave the seminary and religious life. The
demands of the academic life had exerted so much pressure and stress on our brothers. Conflicts and strained relations
among the brothers, and between them and their rector had also been the headlines of news. But the spirit of brotherhood
and charity had healed all these. Indeed, our community living has been like a fire-tried gold that is tested for its
genuineness.
The community of St. Paul Scholasticate has,
therefore, many reasons to rejoice. The Lord has been so
good to us and His blessings have truly been so abundant.
As we celebrate the Lord’s triumph over sin and death, we
offer Him all these good things we have received. We offer
Him both the good things and bad that we have
experienced and thank Him from our hearts. And of
course, we thank all those persons and groups of people
who continue to support us in many and varied ways. For
my part, it is my prayer and hope that our student-
confreres would continue in their perseverance and hard
work, and in living out the spirit of charity so that true
brotherhood would endure in our religious community. It
is my fervent desire that they live the Pauline spirit of our
founder St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. For all these we say
with gratitude and joy our the Risen Lord:
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
 No. 3
11 iPaul 14

NEWS, EVENTS AT IBA PA …

Diocese of Imus celebrates
day of Consecrated life

The Diocese of Imus dedicated the 6th of

February as the day of Consecrated life. The said event
was spearheaded by the Consecrated Life Association in
Imus Diocese (CLAIM) and the Tagaytay Religious
Association (TRA). The Barnabites in the Diocese of Imus
is an active member of both organizations. Fr. Michael
Sandalo, rector/father master of St. Paul Scholasticate
together with the student-confreres took part in the
celebrations held at the Reparatrix Sisters convent in
Magallanes, Tagaytay. A concelebrated Mass was first held
presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle,
Bishop of Imus. Around thirty (30) religious clergy
concelebrated and approximately two hundred (200)
religious sisters and brothers and members of various
movements of apostolic life were all present. Bishop Tagle
acknowledged the enriching presence of religious
congregations in the diocese and invited them all to
actively take part in the vision-mission of the diocese of
Imus as it prepares for its 50th golden jubilee. The bishop
also thanked the religious congregations for their
important contributions in the spiritual growth of the
faithful of the diocese. To date, there are almost seventy
(70) religious congregations stationed and working in the
Imus diocese of two million Catholics. After the Mass, a
simple program was held and lunch was served thanks to
the efforts of the sisters.
Father General visits St. Paul Scholasticate
Fr. Giovanni M. Villa, CRSP, Superior General of
the Barnabite Fathers, arrived in the Philippines on
February 6. He came to visit the religious communities
and to witness the priestly and diaconal ordinations of
five confreres. Throughout his 10-day stay, he allotted
much of his time in visiting the communities in Marikina
and Silangan, San Mateo. He met with the fathers of the
communities and also with the delegation council.
In his stay in St. Paul Scholasticate, he had an
opportunity to meet the scholastics during their weekly
community meeting presided by Fr. Michael Sandalo. In his
talk, Fr. Villa highlighted that “education (as an apostolate
of the congregation) is a gift and a task entrusted to the
Philippine delegation of the Barnabite Fathers”. The
“renewal of the Christian fervor has always been educative in
nature, and this is the desire of the whole congregation for the
Philippines”. Such statement affirms the Barnabites’
commitment to educating the young.
Father General (center standing) with the confreres
after the community meeting.
Fr. Villa further added that this aspect of
educating the young people is a gift for the congregation
and for the Philippine delegation. Moreover, it is a task in
the sense that it entails perseverance in work, it requires
responsibility and commitment to work. Education is a
means to fulfill the mission of the congregation especially
in a nation which needs quality education. It is a way of
participating in the universal mission of the Church and
the Barnabites are involved in the fulfillment of that
mission. Thus, Father General exhorted the scholastics to
be a gift for others and to commit themselves to the great
task of education.
Fr. Villa’s presence and participation in the
scholastics’ meeting was a very rare occasion. It was very
encouraging for the confreres to have him in their midst.
Some of them also asked questions related to the
prospective plans of the congregation for the Philippine
delegation.
The evening before his departure, the scholastics
together with the fathers serenaded him with romantic
and religious songs in English, Tagalog and Italian. He sang
with the brothers when the Italian song “Chi ci
separerà?” (Who Will Separate Us?) was played. The next
morning, he presided at the holy Mass and in his homily he
exhorted the scholastics to persevere in their studies and
to remember that the difficulties in the studies may
become the means to share in the difficulties of others. Fr.
Villa left the Philippines on February 15.
 No. 11 iPaul
Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. José and Fr. Arvin
The 14th of February was again another happy day
for the St. Paul Scholasticate community as the newly
ordained priests Fr. José Nazareno Gabato and Fr. Arvin
Dagalea offered their thanksgiving Mass. It was the first
Mass they celebrated the day after their ordination to the
priesthood. Fr. José presided the Mass and Fr. Arvin
delivered the homily. Fr. Giovanni Villa and the fathers of
the community namely Fr. Joselito Ortega, superior; Fr.
Michael Mancusi, vicar; Fr. Cirilo Coniendo, treasurer; and
Fr. Michael Sandalo, rector of the scholastics also
concelebrated. The newly ordained deacons Rev. Jonathan
Ramoso, Rev. Clyd Autentico and Rev. Thomas Tabada
also assisted. Rev. Jonathan proclaimed the Gospel while
the other two assisted in the preparation of the altar and
in the distribution of holy communion. The members of
the “Lingkod ng Dambana” also served as altar servers
while the confreres and with some members of the Sacred
Heart choir provided the songs. Br. Rey Carmelo Ausejo
led the people in singing the responsorial psalm.
The solemn Mass started at 9:00 o’clock in the
morning. Br. Gerard Sala and Br. Albino Vecina did the
preparations of the chapel. The celebration was well-
attended by the ordinand’s families and friends, and people
living near the seminary. So many people attended that the
pews and plastic chairs were not enough to accomodate
them. Before the final blessing, Fr. Arvin thanked all those
present and all those who made the occasion possible.
After the Mass the traditional “kissing of hands” of the
newly ordained priests followed. The choir sang “Pari
Magpakailanman” (Priest Forever) as an accompaniment. Fr.
José and Fr. Arvin also imparted their blessing to their
loved ones. Snacks were served afterwards to celebrate
the new priests and deacons.
Fr. José presides at their thanksgiving Mass in the
Sacred Heart chapel of St. Paul Scholasticate.
15
Rev. Thomas gives the pupils instructions
before the start of the Mass and the graduation rites.
Thirteen pupils receive certificates
of graduation
In the afternoon of 20th March 2010, the pupils of
Tahanang Mapag-aruga ni Padre Semeria (TMPS) batch
2009-2010 had received their certificates of completion of
the preparatory school. After a year of hard work in
learning the fundamental skills in reading and writing, they
are now ready to enter the primary level in the grade
school. Thirteen (13) pupils completed the preparatory
stage: Cherry Ann Panganiban Azuela, Melanie Francisco,
Daniela Cabrobias Libusta, Karla Elaine Perena Olimpiada,
Jonalyn Tabale, Jerwin Bayas Agohon, Owen Nathaniel
Centeno Causaren, Marc Oscar Neri Francisco, Clarence
Lingahon Fuentes, John Carlo Sto. Domingo Rico, Kurt
Conrad Anastascio Sangalang, John Lawrence Serwelas,
and Marwin Gueriba Velasco.
The celebration started with a Mass presided by
Fr. José Nazareno Gabato, president of the Tahanang
Mapag-aruga ni Padre Semeria, and assisted by Rev.
Jonathan Ramoso. At 2:45 p.m. the “graduation” ceremony
started in the TMPS multi-purpose hall. The parents of the
pupils, some friends of TMPS school community and the
confreres involved in teaching were all present. The guest
speaker was Mrs. Alma Roa, one of the generous
benefactors of TMPS. After her inspiring speech, the
distribution of the awards and certificates followed. The
certificates are a means to recognize the pupils’ successful
completion of the preparatory stage. On behalf of the
administration of TMPS, Fr. Cirilo Coniendo, CRSP
delivered a speech in which he encouraged the children in
their studies. It is the hope and fervent prayer of the
TMPS community that these children would be successful
in life and would attain their dreams someday. They are
expected to be enrolled in the grade school this coming
school year 2010-2011.
 No. 3
11 iPaul 16
graduates. The celebration concluded with the graduation
song by the graduates. The event lasted for almost two
hours but was a very memorable one for the Barnabite
confreres.
In the evening, the fathers’ community of St. Paul
Scholasticate, through the superior Fr. Joselito Ortega,
gave a victory dinner for the graduates. Fr. José had finally
reached the end of his theological studies while Br. Albino
will have to pursue another two years of studies in order
for him to obtain the STB degree and to satisfy the
canonically required years of theological studies for his
ordination. Congratulations to Fr. José and Br. Albino!

Barnabite students in the Dean’s List

Three Barnabite confreres made it to the list of

the “cream of the crop”, that is, the Dean’s List of the
Fr. Sandalo (left), assisted by Prof. Fr. Danilo Tiong Divine Word Seminary (DWS). The “Dean’s List” is the
(right), places the hood on Fr. José. official roster of best performing students for the whole
semester. It is a means to recognize the hard work and
Fr. José and Br. Albino receive
academic proficiency of the students. The dean of studies
academic degrees in Sacred Theology
of DWS Fr. Alexander Muaña, SVD released the 1st
semester Dean’s Listers and the St. Paul Scholasticate is
Last March 27, Fr. José and Br. Albino, both from
very proud to have three confreres dominating the top
the St. Paul Scholasticate community, had received their
posts. In the first year Theology class, Br. John Paul Osip
academic degrees in Sacred Theology from the Divine
occupies the 2nd place with his average grade of 93.35 per
Word Seminary (DWS), Tagaytay City. DWS is an
cent. Br. Rey Carmelo Ausejo is in the 4th place garnering
institution of theological studies affiliated with the
a total grade of 91.80 percentage. In the third year
Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. After four years of
Theology class, Rev. Deacon Thomas Federick Tabada got
study, Fr. José had received the degree Bachelor of Sacred
the 4th place with an average final grade of 91.52 per cent.
Theology (STB) while Br. Albino had obtained his two-
Moreover, the general results of the exams, especially the
year Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree. The AB
comprehensives, had been positive. Congratulations
Theology degree is recognized by the Philippine
brothers and keep up the good work!
government through the Commission on Higher
Education.
The affair commenced with the celebration of the
holy Eucharist in the Holy Spirit chapel, presided by the
Most Rev. John Du, Bishop of Dumaguete and an alumnus
of DWS. Fr. Michael Mancusi, professor of Spirituality and
Fr. Michael Sandalo, rector of St. Paul Scholasticate also
concelebrated with the rectors of other seminaries and
professors of DWS. The graduation rites started after the
Mass. The graduates wore their black toga and the
professors as well though they differ in style depending on
their academic degrees. The rectors of the graduates
assisted in the investiture of the hood and in the awarding
of medals to honor graduates. Fr. Sandalo invested the
hood on Fr. José and Br. Albino. The Holy Spirit chapel
was packed with families, friends, benefactors and fellow
seminarians of the graduates. DWS rector Fr. Wilfredo
Saniel, SVD conferred the academic degrees and led in the
distribution of certificates. The guest speaker, Mr. Ulpiano
Sarmiento, an experienced professor of law, a practicing
lawyer and a member of the Philippine House of
Br. Albino (center) greets Atty. Sarmiento after
Representatives delivered an inspiring message to the receiving his diploma from Fr. Saniel (extreme left).
No. 3
11
Year for Priests
2009-2010
Thou Art a Priest Forever …
To live in the midst of the world
without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family,
yet belonging to none;
To share all suffering;
To penetrate all secrets;
To heal all wounds;
To go from God to men to bring
Pardon and Hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity
And a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon,
Console and bless always …
What a glorious life! And it is yours!
O PRIEST OF JESUS CHRIST!
Lacordaire
iPaul 17
iPaul
Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter
THE CLERICS REGULAR OF SAINT PAUL
— BARNABITES —
Saint Paul Scholasticate
Purok 163, San Jose
Tagaytay City, Cavite, the Philippines
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32,
4120 Tagaytay City, Philippines
Tel. & Fax: +63 46 413-2837
Email: saintpaulscholasticate@gmail.com
Director: Fr. Michael Sandalo, CRSP
Editor-in-Chief: Br. John Paul, Osip,
CRSP
Associate Editor: Br. Mark Anthony
Pondoc, CRSP
Staff Writers: Rev. Jonathan G. Ramoso,
Rev. Thomas Federick S. Tabada, Br.
Gerard Sala, Br. Rey Carmelo Ausejo
Contributors: Fr. Giovanni Scalese, Fr.
Michael Francis Mancusi, Br. John
Koten, Br. Cunan Adaro, Br. Joseph
Bernales, Br. Rosauro Valmores, Br. Pat
Golis
Typeset in the Philippines by the
Saint Paul Scholasticate, April 2010
Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?
An gladius?