My Personal Experience with Don Bosco

It has been twenty one years that I never experienced a biological father, a father who would be my strength when I am weak, a father who may be my companion when I am alone and a father who may correct my works when I commit mistakes. But, it was just four years that I experienced a true spiritual father even when I was in the diocesan seminary, a father in the figure of the Salesians whom Don Bosco entrusted his works for the love of God and the salvation of the young.
Last December 19-23, 2010 the pilgrim relic St. John Bosco came here in our seminary. What a great privilege for me to see our father! I was happy for being a part of welcoming him here in our place. I was moved in gratitude. He passed away more than hundred years ago, yet, until now, he is still working and travelling around the globe looking for his loved ones-the poor and abandoned youth. He brought the message of God’s love for everyone. He came here to assure that we are always healthy both in our physical and spiritual life. What a grace to have this father who is always concerned for his love ones.
I have experienced the true care of a father in him; I am proud for being formed according to his spirit by being here in the seminary. At moment, I am already third year college in his own school. He is also somehow telling me “Don’t be afraid to dream high if it is for the glory of God.”
I was one of those people who cried when his relic was about to leave Lawa-an last December 23, I cried not because he is leaving, instead, I was moved by his charism and spirituality. He is always part of my life, for no son can dare to forget his own father who taught him how to stand and walk.
I told him that one day, we will see each other again in God’s time. If ever I will become a priest, I will visit him in Turin to express my sincerest gratitude for giving me the real meaning of life.
My experience and encounter with Don Bosco is also similar that of the others, especially those people who were once abandoned. He adopted them gave them all of his best; his talents, time and treasure so that he will always be in their memory.
Now, Don Bosco is my strength for he does not like me to be weak. He teaches me not to be alone, instead, he would like me to be in company with Jesus especially in the moments of loneliness. And he also corrects me in times when I am failing in my studies and other responsibilities, through the conscience. Like his boys in his time, he is also telling me “God sees you...”
My Heart is overwhelmed in thanking the Lord for living with us through the inspiration of St. John Bosco-father and teacher of the young.

Incola Egosum In Terra

This is a Bible passage which can be found in Psalm 119: 19 and I chose this as my motto since I became a seminarian at Pope Paul VI Minor Seminary. “Incola egosum in terra,” is a Latin word for “I am just a traveller in this world.” I chose this because it reminds me always of who I am. For me, this is a very practical reminder. It reminds me that i as a human being who will be soon pass away. Aside from, that, this is also a very missionary statement, as a missionary we will not stay for the whole life time in the place where we are assigned.
Practically speaking all of us are missionaries in the different fields of this life. We are missionaries in our homes, societies we belong and missionaries to everyone. We are really doing great or simple mission-acts by serving others using our talents, resources, our abilities and capacities, our health and our contributions. But, the reality tells us “you are just travelling towards your destiny.’ Whether we like it or not we human beings are short -lived.
The very important activity we have as we journey in our temporary life is not sufferings but our works that makes our lives meaningful. We are accountable for the help, services, teachings, values and inspirations we render to the needy, all of which are worth remembering by the people being benefited.
If we consider ourselves as missionaries in the different fields we should also consider that heartaches and joy are both part of experiences for which we learn. According to Don Williams, Jr. “The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”
Let us listen to the voice of our hearts, where a happy journey to life begins. For me, it is the voice of my heart to choose this ‘journey of bended knee’-a journey of life, a journey of vocation where God is certain.
Finally, as we temporarily travel in this life, to the places where we temporarily standby, drop by or rest let us leave precious matters that will inspire people, so that even if we are not anymore presently living, but the mark of dignity will stay alive to those whom we inspire. A real life never loses his/ her value even ‘till death, a kind of dignity that will never lose its sense, that even if we just leave pictures or statues, people will pause and salute and give due respect. Let us dare to inspire!

Holy Family-Model of Perfect Unity

Have you seen an image or statue of the Holy Family? In that statue we will see St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. Some images of the Holy Family that I have ever seen were that St. Joseph working as a carpenter, then the Virgin Mary preparing some food while the Child Jesus playing the nails. Of course it is just an imagination of an artist to beautify more his art so that the viewer may find it nice. But, it has something to be grasped of imitated.
St. Joseph is projecting what a responsible father should be: to labour for his family so that there will be a solid foundation of love. For if a father does not have love and does not show it to his family he will be an irresponsible one.
St. Joseph, though, was a foster father to Jesus, had to labor so that he could be able to respond to their daily needs.
The Virgin Mary is playing the part of a good mother. As a care-taker of their poor home, she was a good wife and a perfect mom. The child who was playing is showing his usual tendencies so that he may be taught by his nurturing parents. Thus, everything begins at home.
The deeper meaning of the Holy Family to us, in particular to all Christian families, is to possess infinite qualities which could be a moment that each member of the family will come together, sharing each others’ laughter and experiences, actions, contribution of whatever even fun and in times of bereavement and difficulty. Everyone is called to an allotted time for sympathizing each other. Holding each other could foster healing as it is proven by some expert-researchers that the human touch (especially those are coming from our love ones) increases the production of endorphins growth hormone and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), all of which lengthen your life span and lower the negative impact of stress.
Since a family is always a little society and a working team, each member should have a sense of sharing each others’ capacity in performing work, especially the common house cleaning and ground cleaning for the betterment of the family.
It could also be a discovering each other’s ability to use one’s knowledge effectively in doing something e.g. solve the budget problems mathematically or speaking well with complete manners. The family should also be training ground where perspiration for a good purpose should be exercised.
If in the other fields of work we need support, the members of the family must support one another. It needs patience, too, to form the family into a great-little society. If some is willing to support then we will be confident enough to grow in whatever aspects in life we wish to flourish.
Nothing more can complete to a family that is perfectly rooted with important examples that could lead to a more purposeful in life.