CBCP head to seminariansand Beware of worldliness

MANILA– The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on seminarians not to let self-interest get in the way of their vocation.Speaking at a Mass to open this year’s Kapatiran at the UST Chapel, CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas warned seminarians not fall into worldliness and other temptations tied to perks and entitlement. If you have nothing and your dream someday is that you will receive everything, that is bad character, Villegas said in his homily.He told the seminarians from different dioceses that they should be comfortable with being nothing because it was in the nothingness in the tomb that the greatness of God has shown. My dear seminarians, patience when you have nothing. Do not be afraid to have nothing and do not aspire to be something. Do not envy those whom we see are more blessed than you, said Villegas.That’s why, he said, the goal of the entire formation for seminarians who will one day lead the Church is to develop a character and moral conscience.He advised the seminarians that it takes a good character to become great young priest. Seminary formation is forming Christ in us, he said. Character shows through your patience when you have nothing, he pointed out. If you have nothing, and your reaction is to envy those who have something, that is not formation, Villegas said. Your attitude when you have everything reveals your character. And believe me your seminary formators will tell you, you will practically receive everything when you receive ordination, Villegas added.The archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan also said that character is also revealed when no one sees you. How’s your patience when you have nothing? What is your attitude when have everything? What do you do when no one sees you? That is Christ speaking, he said.Kapatiran or brotherhood is an annual gathering of Philippine Seminarians Network, an association of major seminarians from various diocesan seminaries and formation houses around the country.Around 500 seminarians attend this year’s gathering hosted by the UST Central Seminary in Manila.This year’s theme, Koinoniaand Strengthening our Communion after 25 years, was inspired by the local Church’s celebration of the Year of the Parish, as declared by the CBCP.CBCPNews