DBTC Welcomes the Alumni of San Carlos Seminary
November 13, 2023, Mandaluyong City—The Educative-Pastoral Community of Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong, led by the Salesians of Don Bosco, welcomed the alumni of San Carlos Seminary (SCS) on their 91st Alumni Homecoming, “Banal sa Pangarap, Bayani sa Sikap.” The two-day homecoming began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Chapel of Mary Help of Christians, which is part of the Old Building—the original site of San Carlos Seminary before its transfer to its current complex along EDSA in Makati City. Fr. Ronilo Basilio Javines, SDB, President/Rector of Don Bosco Mandaluyong, presided over the Holy Mass in Honor of Saint Charles Borromeo. The alumni-priests of SCS concelebrated with Fr. Joselito Martin, SCS Rector, and Fr. Mark Munda, SCS Alumni President, joining Fr. Javines on the sanctuary.
The Mary Help of Christians Chapel is the very chapel where H.E. Rufino J. Cardinal Santos—a Karlista, the 29th Archbishop of Manila and the First Filipino Cardinal—prayed as a young seminarian. This Alumni Homecoming celebrates the 50th anniversary of his death and the 70th anniversary of the transfer of SCS to Makati.
In his homily, Fr. Martin shared the slice of written history that makes their celebration more meaningful—“a walk along the alleys of time”. “The old building still stands. The rickety wooden floor stepped upon by Karlistas still exists. The chapel hasn't changed much in years. Now the Salesians are administering this school… The Vincentians trained the seminarians during this phase. The legacy of the Sons of Saint Vincent de Paul was the preparation of the Karlista to become a pastor, a leader, a priest, and a shepherd in touch with the people.” He enjoined his fellow Karlistas to take this as a moment “to rekindle the flame of formation and service and the bond of brotherhood which our seminary formation has instilled in us.” He then echoed the message of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, “As San Carlos Seminary reflects on its glorious and rich legacy, I pray that those who pass her portals, whether ordained or not, may truly make a difference in the world for Christ.” Fr. Martin also retold the story of Cardinal Santos whose memory and legacy every Karlista continues to enjoy and treasure.
Fr. Martin concluded his homily with a reflection inspired by the Gospel:
“Patatagin natin ang ating kapatiran upang ‘di magkapartian.” Let us strengthen our brotherhood so that we will not become each other’s stumbling blocks.
“Maging mapagpatawad. As we have been forgiven, so must we forgive. We are God's instruments of forgiveness and reconciliation. May we reflect the face of Jesus to others. The face of God's mercy and compassion.”
“Ipanalangin natin ang bawat isa (Let us pray for one another). Let our prayers continue to bind us wherever we are that we may continue to grow in faith, hope, and love. Today has just started, and we begin this day gathered around the Eucharist. …We continue to remember. We continue to celebrate what we believe.”
After the homily, the image of Saint Charles Borromeo, which will be permanently placed in the MHC Chapel, was blessed.
Fr. Munda addressed the assembly after the post-communion prayer. He expressed that it is timely that this year Don Bosco Mandaluyong began its five-year preparation for its 75th anniversary. He shared that this event is more than just a touching event, ”This is a renewal of our love for our seminary and more especially our renewal to the call for us to be heroes and holy. Banal sa Pangarap, Bayani sa Sikap.” He thanked the Salesians of Don Bosco for hosting this part of their celebration, for welcoming them back to their original home, and for making the chapel—where +Cardinal Santos and +Cardinal Vidal went—available for them. He presented again the statue of San Carlos, which will have a permanent home in the chapel. The commemorative label read, “This image of Saint Church Borromeo is given to the community technical college of Don Bosco College, Mandaluyong, on this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 2023, in commemoration of the ninety-first homecoming and the seventieth anniversary of the transfer of the San Carlos Cemetery from Mandaluyong City to Makati City.” He also gave framed busts of San Carlos to Fr. Javines and Fr. Marc Will Lim, SDB (DBTC VP for Administration) as a token of gratitude from the SCS Alumni Association. He ended with a joyful quip: We have always been wondering why there are so many vocations coming from Don Bosco Mandaluyong, among other Salesian settings. And these are not just vocations but ones of great quality. Coming here made us find the answer. Karlistas planted them ever since.
The Karlistas walked through the Old Building and enjoyed breakfast with the Salesians before they re-enacted the transfer of SCS to Makati with a motorcade.
The EPC of DB Mandaluyong is grateful to witness this brotherhood and to be a radiant part of the history of the Church in the Philippines. They were also empowered by this milestone to continue the legacy of forming the youth that are ready to take the higher step, as heroes and saints of today.
