The Priest-formators from various college seminaries across the Visayas and Mindanao have convened at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos for a significant gathering aimed at strengthening priestly formation.
Known as “Seminary Feeders” — institutions that send their seminarians to SMSC for theological studies — this meeting serves as a venue to exchange best practices, address common challenges, and deepen cooperation in forming future priests.
Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the St. Charles Borromeo Chapel of SMSC.
Emphasizing that formation must go beyond external compliance to interior conversion, Archbishop Abet, in his homily, reminded the formators that their task is not to produce perfect priests, but converted priests — men whose hearts are continually being shaped by Christ.
“Good formators do not form performers, they form persons. Not just men who know what to do, but men who know why they do it. Not just men who avoid sin externally, but men who allow the Lord to purify their inner world-anger, pride, resentment, ambition, insecurity,” said Archbishop Abet.
He also added that formation must teach reconciliation, not just moral correctness, and that it must be rooted in the integrity of life.
This gathering resonates with the vision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, which underscores the importance of continuity and integration in a seminarian’s journey — from college formation (Discipleship Stage) to theological studies (Configuration Stage) — safeguarding a seamless and well-grounded path toward the priesthood.