Journeying to Christ with the Vincentians
By: Mrs. Erlinda P. Basilio
Many years ago, St. Vincent Seminary opened in Tandang Sora. It was then headed by Fr. Canal, a Spanish priest. He would often have afternoon walks around our village, Rosalia Village #2, since it was one among the closest subdivisions around the seminary compound. At that time, there were only 7 families living in the village, the Bautista, Bernabe, Tupaz, Olivenza, Evangelista, Novalta families and our family, the Basilios. Fr. Canal would always greet everyone he met with his welcoming smile. His warm and friendly disposition endeared him to us. This, we believe, was the beginning of a beautiful friendship our family has had with the Vincentians.
Eventually, St. Vincent Seminary opened its doors to daily and Sunday Mass goers. We involved ourselves with various religious and lay activities initiated by the Vincentians together with the many families living around the seminary. During school break, we were inspired to start the catechism class open to all children living around the area. We also formed the “Lector’s Guild” whose members were from families living in the surrounding areas of the seminary. The “Rejoice in the Lord Always” charismatic group was also established, having weekly Thursday evening gatherings at the now called “Pacis Hall” named after Bishop Teotimo Pacis, CM who was the group’s spiritual director until his death in 1984. Weekly, he shared his insights on the Sunday gospel reading through a newsletter he religiously wrote, giving them out to churchgoers every Sunday. As the years went by, people also evolved and became more involved in different apostolates and organizations including that of the “Movement for a Better World” (MBW). Indeed, the presence of the Vincentians in our community made us more aware of our need to participate in the different aspects of our faith.
To accommodate the growing number of people who went to mass and attended the various religious activities, we saw the need to build a bigger church. We requested and petitioned the Vincentians to pursue the idea and make it into a reality. We offered as “seed money” the cash donations we had received in lieu of presents when we celebrated our silver wedding anniversary to jumpstart this project. It was quite sometime before this idea was approved but towards the end of the millennium, the Vincentians finally agreed not just to build a bigger church but a shrine to honor St. Vincent de Paul.
All through these years, from 1978 up to the present, the Vincentians have been family to us. We firmly believe that we and most especially our children would not have been who we are now had it not been for the spiritual guidance and inspiration the Vincentians have provided and shared. We sincerely thank them for touching our lives in many ways we can’t even express fully. We can simply offer our prayers that they may continue to be a blessing to more people as they have been a blessing to our family. MABUHAY si San Vicente de Paùl! MABUHAY ang Congregasyon ng Misyon! MABUHAY ang mga Vincentiano.
