College Seminary produces 29 graduates

Escorted by his parents as he walks in the main aisle of St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE) Chapel, Sem. Domenick Alberio cannot contain his smile as he faces the cameras capturing the moments marking the end of his college seminary formation.

Sem. Alberio from San Antonio de Padua Parish, Agdao is one of the 29 graduates who received the diploma in AB-Philosophy from XACOSE and personally handed over by Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles who also officiated the Baccalaureate Mass in the chapel, March 18. The Eucharist was concelebrated by the Bishop of Digos Guillermo Afable, seminary formators and some diocesan and religious priests.

Archbishop Valles commented that though the seminary only produced a little number of graduates compared to other Catholic schools, it is only the one who can gather a big number of bishops and priests who will celebrate the Mass together before the graduation ceremony.

In his homily, Abp. Valles thanked the parents for sending their children to undergo the rigorous training in the seminary formation as he also congratulated them for their success, adding that they should continue praying for their sons that they will persevere in the formation.

There are 10 seminarians from the Archdiocese of Davao, seven (7) from the Diocese of Digos, three (3) from the Diocese of Mati and nine (9) from the religious congregations.

Abp. Valles added though everyone is proud to produce that number of seminarians graduating in college seminary formation, God is reminding them that it is not their work but His own.

He told the seminarians not to think too much about the diploma but on continuing to study in Theology, to be priests in the future.

Meanwhile, Sem. Alberio said he did not expect that he will reach this moment in his seminary formation. Though he is uncertain about the future, he is confident that God will lead him according to His divine plans.