On February 3, 2024. Six Claretian Scholasticate brothers began an innovative formation experience known as the Community-Based Formation Program (CBFP). This program currently serves two communities. The first community is in Sagrada Familia Chapel in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, where Brothers Randy Grano, Hau Nguyen, and Pham Van Ky reside. The other one is located at Resurrection of Christ Chapel in Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City, where Brothers Harold Tan, Vrent Kiblasen, and Vinh Tran be present in. Both communities are in the heart of depressed neighborhoods within the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish (HJMP). This innovative formation intends to experience ordinary people’s lives beyond the seminary walls, assist in constructing and reawakening BECs under HJMP, and live in a community without the physical presence of formators.
The CBFP brothers are helping the HMJP reactivate Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC). Brothers work with chapel coordinators to conduct Bible Sharing, house visits, and music practice. Given that some BEC groups have been inactive, the participation of CBFP brothers can be a significant aid in sustaining Parish BEC activities. On the one hand, it provides an excellent opportunity for the scholastics to immerse (Babad) themselves in the people’s lives and be evangelized by those they meet.
The experiences of a theology student living beyond the seminary walls are full of rewards and challenges. Detachment from the theology house provides a new opportunity for scholastics to live a life of distinction while going through the everyday lives of others. To name a few, brothers cook for themselves, take public transportation to school, allowing them to feel the challenges of everyday commuters, and study in a similar oven room. Furthermore, the formation of each community serves as a test of one’s maturity and personal responsibility. Living outside the seminary as scholastics allows us to maintain our identity as Claretian missionaries. Despite our unusual structure, we always maintain the essentials: prayer, putting community plans and events before personal errands, and living a simple lifestyle by our vow of poverty. It suffices to state that seminary formation should not be a comfort zone, but rather one that prepares a formandee to face the world’s trials in the beacon of the gospel.
By Harold Tan, CMF
