To mark the formal opening of the Academic Year, priest-formators, seminarians, faculty, and lay collaborators of the Cebu Archdiocesan Seminaries gathered at the Martins of Lisieux Chapel of San Carlos Seminary College (SCSC) for the celebration of the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma presided over the liturgy, concelebrated by Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili (Rector, Seminario Mayor de San Carlos), Fr. Alvin Raypan (Rector, SCSC), Fr. Allan Delima (Rector, Pope John XXIII Seminary), Fr. Alden John Baran (Director, Spiritual-Pastoral Formation Year), along with the other Priest-Formators.
In his homily, the good Archbishop reminded everyone—especially the newly appointed Priest-Formators—to always allow the Spirit to move and work through them.
“I know that many of you, young formators, may have thought: two years palang mi nag pari, why are we chosen? This is the beginning of a ministry different from what you have been [used to] but always remember that all of what we’re doing is the work of the Spirit especially in Formation. The Holy Spirit is the Ultimate Formator,” said Archbishop Palma.
During the Mass, the newly appointed Rector of SCSC, Rev. Fr. Alvin Raypan, was also formally installed.
The seminaries then opened the Academic Convocation for the Formation Year 2025-2026 after the Mass.
The Rectors from the different departments introduced their respective seminarians and Formation Teams.
During this ceremony, the new Deans of Studies, Fr. Charles Louis Jayme (SCSC) and Fr. Abel Villarojo (SMSC) were formally installed, after which each of them gave their inaugural address.
Recognition was also given to the seminaries’ Lay Companions, who faithfully served and journeyed with the seminaries through the years.