‘If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts’

Thus the theme pondered during the 8th Davao Seminarians’ General Assembly held at St. Francis Xavier College Seminary, October 26, 2015. The annual gathering aims to deepen the relationship of all the seminarians from all levels of formation (Pre-College, College, Pre-theology and Theology within and outside Archdiocese).

An Holy Hour with the Lord opened the whole day activity then a conference with Davao Catholic Herald Editor-in-chief Rev. Fr. Ritsche J. Gamaya, DCD. He divided the said theme into 3 and integrated therein his experience in the ministry: 1) If today, 2) You hear his voice, 3) harden not your hearts. He emphasizes that seminarians, even when they become priests, must always answer God’s calling like the first time that they said yes, “for every first experience is a noble experience,” he adds. Group sharing followed. The Holy Mass presided by the Judicial Vicar Rev. Fr. Junar dela Victoria, DCD and concelebrated by some of the Davao Clergy ended the morning session.

The socio-cultural program showcased their talents in the afternoon. Finally, sports activities like volleyball and basketball concluded the event.

First game was played between North Banana Seminarians (from parishes from Bankerohan to Lasang) and South Durian Seminarians (from parishes from Sandawa to Toril and to Marahan). The Second game was played between Davao Major Seminarians and Davao Clergy. These are the number of seminarians from different level of formation: Pre-College (35), 1st Year (29), 2nd Year (19), 3rd Year (22), 4th Year (24), Pre-theology (7), Theology 1 (1), Theology 2 (7), Theology 3 (4), Theology 4 (0), Regents (6), Pre-Diaconate (3) — a total of 157.

The seminarians are thankful to the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary Rector Rev. Fr. Maximo Bahinting, DCD for the venue of the said gathering, to the Davao Clergy, and the laity for the support. (Sem. Ritzchild Cariaga | Photo by R. Simbre)