Filipino nuncio urges seminarians to build firm spiritual foundation

By CBCP News

A Filipino papal nuncio on Friday, Oct. 17, urged seminarians to embrace their formation years with “total commitment” and to build their priesthood on strong spiritual foundations.

Speaking during the 80th anniversary Mass of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon City, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio to Israel, said the seminary years are a “precious time” for personal and spiritual growth that will define a priest’s lifelong ministry.

“The seminary is a time for digging deep,” said Yllana, who is also the apostolic delegate to Palestine and Jerusalem. “It is a precious time to gain the humility you need to lead a Christian community.”

“If the priesthood is built without a solid foundation, it will not withstand the great earthquakes of life or even the simple wear and tear of time,” he said.

The nuncio, a native of Naga City, said the seminary holds special meaning for him because it was founded in October 1945 by his uncle, Msgr. Florencio Yllana, “to plant a seed of hope” for the postwar Church in Sorsogon.

What began as a small minor seminary with 17 students has since grown into a major seminary that has formed generations of priests for the Diocese of Sorsogon and beyond.

Yllana, 77, reminded seminarians that priestly formation should not only focus on academics or pastoral skills but must be grounded in a deep and living relationship with Christ.

As the seminary looks to the future, the nuncio expressed hope that it would continue to nurture vocations grounded in prayer, humility, and service.

“Your growth is the growth of the Church, not only of your parishes,” he said. “May the Diocese of Sorsogon, be blessed with exemplary and joyful priestly vocations.”

Among those present at the celebration were Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon of Caceres and bishops Jose Alan Dialogo of Sorsogon, Joel Baylon of Legazpi, Louie Occiano of Virac, Rex Ramirez of Naval, and Herman Abcede of Daet, along with several priests.

Meeting of Vicarial Lay Coordinators of the Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad (SKK) of the Archdiocese of Caceres, Oct. 18, Tercentenary Hall of the Archbishop’s Palace, Naga City. (Photo credit: Fr. Emmanuel Mojica)