the paranaque diocesan seminarians (ParDS) hosted the diocesan day for the month of july in san carlos seminary. this event seeks to strengthen the brotherhood of the seminarians as they are grouped according to their own dioceses during this day.
it was followed by a mass presided by our bishop Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, DD. in his homily, the bishop reflected on the theme "strengthen your brethren", which was also the motto he chose as bishop of the diocese of paranaque. he stressed that this celebration serves as a source of strength not only for seminarians who aspire to be priests someday but also for priests who are in constant need of spiritual nourishment and renewal.
ParDS also prepared a simple dinner fellowship that follows after the mass, featuring an acoustic rendition of the song "price tag" as well as a short video presentation on the activities of ParDS.
though i have been some sort of a "fixture" in san carlos despite my transfer to san jose, this event was a rare opportunity for me to serve in the altar as an acolyte and to listen to homegrown karlista songs courtesy of the optimi choir (which i was part of some ___ years ago). i also appreciated the discipline behind the liturgy that karlistas exert in their masses. it was also a good opportunity to reconnect with my alma mater (which is also my topic in my modern church and philippine church history papers). as a karlista-josefino hybrid, i truly look forward returning to san carlos, looking back at my formation a few years back, and reminding myself how such has formed me to who i am right now.
until the next hosting of the diocesan day!
special thanks to dino tariman for the pictures!
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