A Day in Claret

by j.benedict dilag, cmf

Seminary. What image comes to mind when you hear the word "seminary?" Do you imagine a gloomy, eerie medieval castle filled with grim-faced men in black cassocks? Or a whitewash barrack packed with stiff-looking cadets in white? Sorry, to disappoint you but a seminary is neither a Dark-ages monastery nor an austere military facility. To give you a picture of what a seminary actually looks like, come spend a day with me in Claret Seminary.

5:00 AM Buzz… buzz… buzz… Huh, what's that? Oh, it's just the buzzer reminding me to wake up. Rise and shine! I've got to meet a friend. So, I have to freshen up by taking a shower and put on something decent.

5:30 AM There's my friend waiting for me at the chapel. "Hi! Good Morning." I greeted Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, my best friend! It's nice to begin the day feeling the presence of God. I feel loved first thing in the morning. Thank you, Jesus for this new day!

6:00 AM "I will sing forever of your love, O Lord!" I burst into a song at the start the Holy Eucharist. "I will celebrate the wonder of your name." The mass is indeed a celebration. And look who's presiding. Isn't that Fr. Blanco, the missionary who escaped the notorious Abu Sayaff in Basilan? My, he's not only brave; he's also a holy man. Fr. Vic, the Spiritual Director delivered a moving homily. He reminded us that the mass is a sharing in the sacrifice of our dearest friend who laid his life for us. Then together with my brothers in the community, I received Christ in Holy Communion. What a feast! What a great start!

7:00 AM The banquet continues at the refectory. Sharing breakfast with my companions is a real treat. I'm at table with some of the friendliest people in the planet. After the most important meal of the day, I helped in cleaning the dormitory to make it presentable and comfortable. Everybody is so responsible here.

7:30 AM Time for classes. Hey, what's my mom doing here? Oops, that's not my mother but the dean, Dr. Beulah Nuval. She is so motherly but at the same time straightforward. She is concerned not only with our studies but also our manners.
9:30 AM The English class with professor Garcia was tough but fun. "Ate Charo" as the professor is fondly called is not only an excellent teacher but a fine musician as well. Now after filling the mind with intellectual stuff, it's time to fill my stomach with delectable stuff. It's snack break!

10:00 AM Now I'm ready for my next class. What's for the next period? Math!!! My goodness, math's my dreaded subject! God, please help me. Okay, Dr. Cervera seems to be a kind lady. I hope she's compassionate to numerically challenged students like me.

11:30 AM Yes, I survived my math class! But my brains are a little stretched. Thank goodness for midday prayer. I can visit my friend in the chapel and tell him all about how the day has gone so far. Or I can read some spiritual materials like a pamphlet on the 51 Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro, Spain. Some of them were seminarians like me. Okay, I can relate with them but becoming like them is another story.

12:00 PM Lunch Time. Everybody's here inside the refectory: Formators, professors, personnel, and students. Now that's what I call sharing a common meal. The animator of the Music RT stood up and invited everyone to sing a birthday song to our companion Bong. Now that's moving.

1:00 PM Zzzz… (sigh) I'm taking a nap, see… Flop!

1:30 PM Theology, my favorite subject. Now here's a class I can sit through even on a sleepy afternoon. That's because I'm interested to know more about God. And Fr. Paul, our professor is good.

4:30 PM Sports! Yes, now I can wear my new rubber shoes and show my pals just how to do it a la Michael Jordan. Hey, guys let's play ball!

5:30 PM What a game! Our team lose though.okay, so I'm not Jordan but at least I had fun
6:00 PM The community gathered in the chapel for a group prayer. The theme for the day is on vocation. A Senior student shared how he was called by God to become a Claretian Missionary. His story touched me. I recalled my own experience. God really chooses us in special and personal way. I'm glad I'm sharing this vocation with the rest of my brothers here in the seminary. Then, I went out of the chapel to continue the prayer by strolling on the pathway reciting the Rosary. Mary inspires me more.

7:00 PM At dinner time, the Art Responsible Team animator announced that there will be a practice after supper in preparation for the Fraternal Gathering this coming Saturday. It will be a Tribute to Mary since Saturday is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our patroness. This will be an opportunity to share my hidden talent in singing.

7:30 PM After dinner, I had fun chatting with my new found friends here: Ranny from Abra, Ryan from Ipil, Zamboanga-Sibugay, Arvin from Bacacay, Bicol and many more who come from the four corners of the country. We shared our life, our loves and dreams until it's time to study.

8:00 PM At the ring of the bell, everybody trooped to the Academic Building to study. There was silence after that. Everybody was trying their best to review their notes while others researched in the library. I've got to shape up my study skills to keep up with these scholars.

9:30 PM "Now in the fading light of day" The haunting melody of this song lulled me into tranquility. Heavenly! What a way to cap the day. You begin it with God and end with God. That sure was a God-filled day here.

10:00 PM LIGHTS OFF
(Sorry, I couldn't write anymore)

So, what's seminary like? It's a house of formation. A house of prayer and study.
A home! Come and experience it for yourself. Spend a day in Claret. Or spend more until you become a Claretian Missionary.

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