Awaiting ReMaSe’s Grand Alumni Homecoming

As the Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao (ReMaSe) prepares for its Grand Alumni Homecoming 2024 on Nov. 11-14, alumni, faculty, and supporters are set to gather in celebration of six decades of spiritual and priestly formation. Held under the theme “Remembering, Celebrating, Hoping,” this milestone event highlights ReMaSe’s enduring legacy in shaping priests according to the heart of Christ for the Church in Mindanao. This homecoming serves not only as a reunion but as a sacred time to honor the journeys that began within the seminary’s walls, journeys of sacrifice, growth, and unwavering dedication to God’s call.

In a recent interview, alumnus Rev. Fr. Renato Abbu Jr. from the Diocese of Butuan expressed his excitement about returning to his alma mater: “I am excited to go back to my alma mater, where I was shaped to become a compassionate priest devoted to Christ’s mission on earth. The formation I received at ReMaSe has become the benchmark for my own role as a formator in the College Seminary of the Diocese of Butuan.”

The homecoming also takes on a deeper significance as it coincides with the recent celebration of All Saints’ Day. Just as the lives of the saints inspire us to live with faith and courage, ReMaSe’s alumni embody the spirit of their seminary formation as they continue to serve their communities. They, too, strive to be models of faith, embodying hope and resilience in their roles as shepherds of Christ.

Reflecting on his journey, Fr. Abbu named St. Rita of Cascia, the patroness of impossible cases, as his favorite saint. “St. Rita has been part of my Christian life since high school. Her life reminds us that God journeys with us, even through hardships. She is a model for anyone who feels close to losing hope or has already lost it, teaching us to rely on God’s help in our struggles.” Fr. Abbu’s devotion to St. Rita is a reminder that ReMaSe alumni, much like the saints, are called to be “pilgrims of hope,” journeying with resilience and faith, bringing light and encouragement to their communities.

The Grand Alumni Homecoming 2024 is not merely a celebration; it is a time to remember the shared struggles, triumphs, and enduring memories that have shaped generations of ReMaSe priests. Just as the communion of saints unites the Church on earth with those who have gone before, this reunion strengthens the bonds of fraternity and shared mission among the alumni. Together, they celebrate not just a history but a calling—one that unites them as shepherds of Christ, guided by the example of holy men and women who have paved the way.

This grand homecoming reaffirms the legacy of ReMaSe as a place of spiritual formation inspired by the saints, grounded in faith, and continually renewed by the mission to serve as bearers of Christ’s love and hope in the world. (Sem. Geon Carlo Casangcapan)