C.Ss.R. Philosophy House: End of Year Reflection
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May 10, 2022Time really does fly. After winter vacation ended, we were saying bye to our loved ones. Now, in a week, we will be going to student gatherings; after that, we will each go to our assigned parishes for summer ministry.
This year two of our postulants will be going directly to their summer vacation after the student gathering and afterwards will enter into their novitiate in July.
After a semester of learning, our finals week was a bit hectic. One of us had to be analyzing a supply chain for sustainability and ethical production, while another was writing a paper on the metaphysical nature of black holes – a reflection of the contrasting classes we’ve taken.
However, each day preparing for finals had the same routine, hopping on the magical silver bullet that speeds us down to my personal favorite study spot – the Starbucks down in Greenwich! Everyone there is doing work – being productive – what more positive environment could we ask for?
Throughout the formation period, our formators have helped us become better versions of ourselves on our journey to serve as Redemptorists.
As future Redemptorists, we are trained to balance out our life with prayers, service, as well as finding time to relax with healthy hobbies.
Personally, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to my formators as well as to everyone who has helped us answer God’s call. Although we are our first formators when it comes to taking the first step to change ourselves, the people whom God has entrusted to guide us play an important role in leading us in the right direction.
This semester has been filled with joy and laughter and I am greatly thankful for God’s gifts in our lives. But to be honest, no journey is without its share of thorns and roadblocks. But with the grace of God, we continue to strive to overcome these hardships. Just like living in a family, there will always be ups and downs, but the most important thing in solving the problems is working together.
We traveled together to DC, we taught catechism together, went on the Hope Walk together, worked at the food pantry together, read at Mass and served at Mass together. In serving, living, and being together, we find joy in serving God and His people.
Ultimately, what makes the Redemptorist program special is not what we do, but what makes formation special is how we do it, together.
There is a saying that goes, "It's easy to say hello but hard to say goodbye." I can attest to this statement because every time I leave for summer ministry, I tend to miss my seminarian brothers.
The Redemptorist formation has been a second family to me because we are all here with the same goal. It is ultimately to serve God, and yes, we do fight at times, but we always come to reconcile and love each other more.
We are all in this together, namely to detach ourselves from vanities in this world and follow Christ, but as St. Augustine once said, "Oh Lord, give me chastity but not yet." We all come with our human flaws and none of us are perfect.
Instead of being discouraged and getting swept away with the world’s allurements, we seek the physician, God, who can cure our ailments.
In my experience, only God will complete you. If God is all you have, you have all you need.This is a phrase that my mother always tells me. Only God will satisfy the seemingly insatiable void in our heart.
I would like to end with this statement: life without God is meaningless. One can deny God, but if one really looks closely, then one will see that God has always been with humankind.
May God and Our Mother Of Perpetual bless each one of you. And please keep us in your prayers as some of us head off to novitiate, and others head off to summer ministry.
