Postulancy formation... for-mission

Our Postulant Director once told us that when it comes to any stage of Redemptorist seminary formation, Postulancy stands closest to the actual Redemptorist way of life. Unlike college which generally stresses academic formation, postulancy allows formandis to have much time being immersed into the mission areas. For us postulants, one thing that stands out among many experiences we’ve had is indeed mission. As one confrere rightly puts it, “Mission is the flagship of our congregation.” That may have been the reason why mission is clearly stressed as early as collegiate, and continues to be so as one progresses in formation. And, although we have been involved in many other wonderful activities such as ecumenical forums, vocation promotions and lots of pamiesta and Pamertday (fiesta and birthday celebrations), much of our time have been devoted to mission.
The current mission here in Dumaguete is in Sibulan. If I’m not mistaken, a Redemptorist mission was held in the same place many years before. Sibulan, the port in Negros across the island of Cebu, is a developing municipality. Known for its devotion to San Antonio de Padua which falls on every 13th day of the month, thousands of believers from all walks of life would flock the believed-to-be miraculous image of St. Anthony offering him their petitions and devotions. The first missionaries who settled and initially developed the place were Agustinian Recollects. It was up until recently that the Parish was handed over to the Diocesan clergy.
Like many developing places, a lot of issues that have emerged from Sibulan are being faced up by its Church. One evident concern that has come into sight is morality. Currently, a lot of night clubs, bars and motels have been put up which consequently encourages prostitution and moral devaluation. Many foreigners have become attracted with the place because of this growing business. And, the local government and the Sibulanons seem to have mixed, if not indifferent, reactions regarding the issue.
Doing mission in this semi-rural and semi-urban area can be quite testing. One particular goal of doing mission in this place is to encourage the people to live their faith. Addressing this challenge to people, whether they be from bukid or poblacion, requires a lot of initiative and creativity on the part of us missioners. The constant question for us is “how do we become living witnesses of the Gospel values in this kind of society?” By the time the mission in Sibulan has culminated, which is on Dec. 13, we still may have not figured out the sufficient answer to the question. But, we are certain that we have made a difference in our own humble ways. The challenge of doing mission is indeed not that simple and easy. Yet it is a journey worth taking precisely because it is a way of witnessing to the faith.