The basic awareness of the idea of a thing or an object is surely the starting point of the study of phenomenology. This method looks at the essence of the thing itself. It is of going back to what is the original experience of a person. It is like seeing things clearly and looking at a bigger picture of the phenomenon. It has a deeper version in tagalog which says, “Malawak na pagtanaw sa mga bagay- bagay.” Phenomenology gives emphasis to the holistic aspect of a particular thing or of a situation if applied to daily life’s experience. It is just but appropriate to make use of phenomenology as a method in studying human person for it is not “stained” with any prejudice.
Looking at a thing in a bigger perspective is one of the good characteristics of a seminarian willing to be formed. Seminary formation, if it is just seen as a prerequisite for becoming a priest, somehow looses its meaning and the essential aspects attached to it. It could be just a matter of completion in order to become a priest and so need to be completed. Seminary formation then has no difference with other schools outside. Seminary formation for me is a daily life’s witnessing of who I am and my faith in God. It is the affirmation of my openness and readiness to take up the challenge of an ordinary Christian to follow Christ in a special way. To make a difference and to break the monotony of life is why I wanted to undergo seminary formation. It is indeed necessary to see things in bigger perspectives. Nonetheless, it should not stop on just a mere view of things. Taking up the challenge of its daily consciousness is much harder and it takes a lot of responsibility. The consciousness of my view of what is a seminary formation must be expressed in my action as I live out the daily schedules and activities of the seminary. That of studying, praying, playing, and relating and whatever action must be the expression of my readiness and openness to follow Christ in order to find the value and meaning of my actions. The consciousness of what is a seminary formation for me, makes all the aspects of my formation holistic, never be compartmentalized.
To end, seminary formation is how I make it. It could either make my life bitter or better. It depends on how I view it and how do I manifest the consciousness of-being-in the formation and of-being-for the seminary formation. It’s hard to be consistent to have that awareness of what is a seminary formation for me. Thereby the challenge is always continuous for each and every one of us. May I be always conscious of my daily witnessing in my seminary formation.
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