Along our way of a day's hike, the air is filled with songs, laughters, and stories of different origins. Because of this kind of atmosphere, everyone in the group forgets his tired body, his bruises in his hands and face. Everyone would keep on pacing the narrow pathways. Get up if you stumble and join the cheerful company of young men!

Throughout, the seminarian's life is full of prayers and devotions. Everyday the seminarian goes to Mass and receives Holy Communion often.

However, it is impossible to say that a seminarian never has problems of his own. He too has problems like any other human being: emotionally, physically, intellectually, etc., etc. Each has his own spiritual director who serves as counsellor, to whom he can freely bring out his problems between closed door. It is being open to his spiritual director that he can be helped whatever his problem or problems are.

There is time for everything in the seminary. There is time for prayers, studies, recreation, etc., etc. When the bell rings, God calls him to be there at that particular time, whatever the acvitity be. For God's sake, he should be there with whole heart and soul.

"Cor Umum et Anima Una," is the motto of the Congregation, meaning, "One Heart and One Soul." In everything he does, the seminarian must be one with the other with his whole heart and soul. It is this philosophy that everyone feels and experiences the oneness and cooperation of the group with brotherly love. He should center all his activities for God's sake in unison with everyone in the community.

Three years had passed. The next step is a more decisive event -- the Novitiate. I was still convinced that I had the vocation and so I accepted that invitation to enter the Novitiate. It is an important and decisive period in the training of young members of the Congregation. Therefore, the candidate, as well as the Congregation, must do all that is necessary to fulfill the aim of the novitiate.

The Novitiate lasted for a year. It was the year that I pronounced my temporary vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. I pronounced my vows in the presence of my superiors, my confreres, friends and especially my family. I promised to keep these vows for one year. These vows were the new elements added to my spiritual formation.