Our standard is to be a disciple of the Lord

St. Francis Xavier College Seminary awarded 24 seminarians during its 58th Commencement Exercise on May 23, 2022 at XACOSE Chapel, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

The ceremony began with the Baccalaureate Mass, presided by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao and during his homily he began by congratulating the 24 seminarians and expressed his joy and gratitude for their dedication for the desire of the Lord.

“We know that the cause of our joy truly and if we have not realized it, let me gently remind you, it is the Lord’s desire, that we will have this moment today, to uplift our hearts, to make us appreciate our faith in Jesus; our membership in the church, to appreciate some more that, as God’s people, we are a special people.”

Despite the small number of graduates this year, Archbishop Valles specifically implied the true aspiration of discipleship.

“In other words, when you finish this year, you will become like sumusunod, disciple, true student, not of the curriculum of DepEd, but the curriculum of the church and of Jesus Christ.”

And you are finishing that phase of your formation, towards becoming, to be configured to Christ. That’s next year, hopefully on the other side.” he added.

After the baccalaureate mass, the graduation ceremony followed and the distribution of diplomas was led by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., assisted by Fr. Orlando Angelia, Rector, Fr. Ruperto Jamili III, Dean of Seminarians, and Sr. Maria Charlene M. Mamoto, TDM, Registrar. Fr. Robert Adam F. Cajipo, Dean of Studies read the graduates’ name as follows:

Archdiocese of Davao Graduates:
Ballena, Kymon Ed V.
Bondalo, Arjo Niel A.
Caberoy, John Christian N.
Cablinda, Jyle V.
Diaz, Ajson L.
Entervencion, Leo B.
Gementiza, Amiel Kent D.
Magdoboy, Warren B.
Malabarbas, John Philip D.
Manzo, Antonio F. Jr.
Monserat, Nathaniel B.
Ortega, Calvin N.
Pacaldo, Vincent I.
Paña, Joshua A.
Pichon, John Jr. C.
Rebong, Jefferson Lord A.
Restauro, Reynaldo Jr. A.
Saludo, Dave A.
Taboada, Francis Joseph M.
Tagala, Rovert J.

From the Diocese of Mati:
Baring, Lester John D.
Sabroso, Christopher F.
Yap, Bryan D.

Rodelio I. Mapula was awarded with the Certificate of Seminary Integration Program as he already completed his Bachelor’s Degree before entering the seminary.

The graduation ceremony ended with the singing of the “Oh Father Francis,” the recessional hymn dedicated to the college seminary’s Patron Saint, St. Francis Xavier. (Angela Agnes Blanco – ADDU Intern)