TEAMARVISU2015Arvisu Jesuit Candidacy House

The Challenge

The world need men of God,men filled with sanctifying grace, the divine life,with humility and simplicity,with purity and penance,with courage and joy;men who are not for sale, but honest,honest with their God, honest with Mary and the saints,honest with all their fellow men;men not ashamed of what they profess;men of prayer and action;men who hope not on their own efforts, but in Me,who pray and laugh and sorrow and love,who fear themselves, yet trust in Me,who, despite their weaknesses and nothingness, follows Me;men who answer My Challenge;men of God.

- John W. O'Malley SJ

On the 24th of May 2014, twenty men mustered up the courage to answer the challenge, a 10-month journey to discern God’s will. Men who took the chance, who

decided to put other things on hold, to respond to the challenge of this mysterious thing called vocation.

After almost a year, the twenty men, forged by deep bonds of friendship and common experiences became ‘one’ and thus, a team was formed — Team Arvisu 2015.

This yearbook, while not all exhaustive, attempts to memorialize ‘the team’ composed of 20 men who responded to the challenge. This chronicles their shared journey in search of God’s will to the Society of Jesus. It is with hope that this book will give an inspiration for young men to do the same, to take the leap of faith to respond to the challenge of God.

The House HistorianMarch 20, 2015

JESUIT CANDIDACY PROGRAM

The Jesuit Candidacy Program is a program of spiritual direction and vocational guidance. It is intended for a man who is seriously considering the Society of Jesus as one

of several vocational choices. It is also for a person who strongly believes that God might be calling him to consider a life of a religious brother or priest, but is not yet certain. Lastly, it is for a person who has decided in his heart that he is called to be a Jesuit, but needs or wishes more experience and growth before taking such a step.

The Candidacy Program is:– a time for a man to know himself more deeply– a time to grow in a personal relationship with Christ– a time to prepare for a life in a community– a time to be challenge to demonstrate potential capacity to

cope with the intellectual demands of Jesuit formation– a time to experience the life and mission of the Society of

Jesus– a time for a man to clarify his future

The men invited into this program are called the Jesuit Candidates. They will be asked to live with fellow discerners as a community in Arvisu Jesuit Candidacy House. Living in Arvisu House provides an opportunity for the candidates to experience a 10-month long vocational discernment before one is asked to make a formal application for entrance to the Society.

What is it to be a Jesuit?“It is know that one is a sinner,

yet called to be a companion of Jesus, as Ignatius was, who begged the Blessed

Virgin to place him with her Son,and who then saw the Father Himself

ask Jesus,carrying His cross,to take this pilgrim into his company…”

“It is to engage, under the standard of the cross, in the crucial struggle of our time

the struggle for FAITHand that struggle for JUSTICE

which it includes.”

THE ARVISU HOUSEWhat is Arvisu House? What do you do there? Is it a

seminary? Questions like these have been asked to us many times.

Well, to begin with, Arvisu House is not a seminary and we are not Jesuits. We are the Jesuit Candidates and Arvisu House, named after Fr. Teddy Arvisu, is a formation house.

We live in a big house inside Varsity Hills. It is a typical house composed of the basic amenities, with certain additions like the huge dormitory which is named after Bro. Richie Fernando, SJ to accommodate the candidates, the directors and the guests. We also have a library full of different books accumulated over time, a computer room and the chapel with its small sacristy located on the third floor. There is also a red-bricked garden where we pray, enjoy cook-outs and play — if ever we have the time!

We rise at 5:30 AM. Mass starts 30 minutes later. Oh, about this rising at 5:35, and about all the other things we do at Arvisu House: when the bell rings, you move! We work on the principle that obedience is the best mortification. We are not obligated to keep vigils, fast and do great penance. But we are obliged to obey our few rules, and to obey promptly and without hedging. We like to do things this way. It’s fun and it does something for you.

Let’s get on with our time-table. After mass, we have breakfast. There’s plenty of good food. And let me say that our cook, Nanay Linda, is the best you can find. After breakfast, we hurriedly clean up, and depart to school either to study or to work. As candidates, we are either assigned to study in Ateneo or ask to work in the different departments of the university. We are supposed to go back to Arvisu during lunch time to do the Examen, a prayer wherein we review our day. Afterwards, as a community, we eat lunch together, and then go back to school.

Before 6:00 PM we should be back home for an hour of prayer. At 7:00 PM we break silence and have our supper together. Try eating with us and you’ll experience how loud we are. At 8:00 PM we are scheduled to do an organized community activity; it can be community recreation, a catechism session, chant class, or a meeting. At 8:45 PM we all gather to the chapel to do the second Examen of the day. After that, silence is imposed and lights will be off at exactly 11:00 PM.

On Saturdays after manualia, where we clean the entire house, and Apostolate every Sunday, we may go home or go out, with permission of course. We have a big locator board near the door, wherein we log where we’ll be and when we’ll be back.

That’s the way we live here in Arvisu House. It may seem kind of corny. It may actually be a very prosaic way to live. But we enjoy it. We like to live this way. We like to live in the same house where Jesus lives in the tabernacle - very close to where we pray, study and sleep, where we hope that we’ll be closer to Him, and we often tell Him that we chose to live in Arvisu House because we want to be near Him, to know, to love and to follow Him.

- Team Arvisu 2014-2015

(loosely written based on a previously written article, “What is Challenge House?” The Jesuit Philippine Province, Vol. XI No. 1 March 1963)

Father Teodoro “Teddy” Arvisu entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Novaliches on 11 June 1941, five days after his twenty-first birthday, over the strenuous opposition

of parents.

Called from the novitiate to the military in December of 1941, he fought for his country with courage, competence and resourcefulness. As an observer on Mt. Natib in Bataan, he remained behind the Japanese lines after his companions had been killed, reporting troop movements and identifying targets for the artillery. Eventually he was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Gold Cross and Military Merit Medals for “gallantry in action”.

On the death march and in the prison camp, he put the survival of others ahead of his own. After his release, he entered Sacred Heart Novitiate for a second time, in December of 1942. As a young Jesuit, he impressed all by his modesty, gentle good humor and deep spirituality. In 1949, he was sent to the United States for the study of theology. there he achieved his goal which had guided his life, priestly ordination, on 22 June 1952. His father, reconciled at last, served his first Mass.

Aware of his ability to communicate with the young, superiors destined Teddy for chaplaincy work in secular universities. But God had other plans. Before he could begin his work, he fell ill with a brain tumor. He died on 19 March 1957.

His life thus cut short, Teddy remains forever young. His witness to love God, of country, of his fellow Filipinos and of his vocation, lives on in this Jesuit pre-novitiate dedicated to his memory.

(by Fr. John J. Carroll SJ)

TEDDY ARVISU, SJ

Who Knows Where The Time Goes? Lyricist: Sandy Denny; Singer: Judy Collins

Across the evening sky all the birds are leavingBut how can they know it’s time for them to go?Before the winter fire, I will still be dreamingI have no thought of timeFor who knows where the time goes?Who knows where the time goes?Sad deserted shore, your fickle friends are leavingAh, but then you know it’s time for them to goBut I will still be here, I have no thought of leavingI do not count the timeFor who knows where the time goes?Who knows where the time goes?And I am not alone while my love is near meI know it will be so until it’s time to goSo come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring againI have no fear of timeFor who knows how my love grows?And who knows where the time goes?

Oftentimes, we sing songs about leaving and getting off to go somewhere else. Rarely however do we find songs about staying and being left behind. I found this song on

Youtube (something composed and recorded even before ALL as in ALL of us were born and I mean this, ha, ha) ... and thought about the God who STAYS and sees beyond the comings and goings of things. It speaks of seeing and experiencing people leaving and allowing simply time to fly and go. Who knows where the time goes may simply be about the God who is beyond time, He who doesn’t count the time knowing that like the changing of seasons, all that comes goes, all that leaves finds their way back home again. I hope we can sing this song as our prayer as we end our Arvisu experience this school year.

Be strong, be firm and be assured of the God who sees us through the passing of time. Blessings to everyone.

Fr. Frank

MESSAGEFROM THEDIRECTORS

There is a line from a song from the iconic beatles that goes: “There are places I’ll remember all my life.”

Perhaps that line sums up Arvisu House.

May it remain a place you’ll remember all your life not only because of the discernment per se, friendships forged, wounded, forgiven, and re-won, or the yummy food or even the quiet of the place. May it remind you of your many firsts, primarily, your first deepening encounter with God. May Arvisu be a memory of God-moments, of Jacob-like wrestling with the angel, of the tenderness of love which only God can give.

As you go on with your different paths in different streets, corners, or timeslots of life and vocation, may Arvisu memories remind you that you are never alone. That you are ever closer to home.

Oremus pro invicem.

Bro. Pat

Ten months is too short in our lifetime...it can easily be “scrolled down” in our FB timeline! Yet I am grateful to God I was allowed to have this wonderful “Arvisu experience”

with all of you. I thank you for generously sharing your self as an Arvisu House candidate. For all the difficulties and the struggles as well as for the shared joys and the fun moments together, my heart will ever be thankful. And now it is time to say goodbye - which, in reality, is just a “see-you-tomorrow.” We all realize that the process of saying goodbye and letting go is not easy and can actually be painful. But we also believe that this is necessary if we are to allow our God to lead us to where He desires us to be. Growing deeper in our relationship with God is made possible as we go through life’s cycles of hello-goodbye-hello.

But despite the sadness as we bid each other farewell, I am actually excited and happy for all of you as you look forward and embrace new life and new possibilities. Goodbyes are only temporary which will soon help you see a kind of ‘resurrection’ in your new-found path. To that, I say “to God be all the glory!”

Your brother in Christ,

Bro. Philip

T I M E L I N E

BAUTISTA, LESTER

A counselor is a wounded healer. He acknowledges his own deficiencies and brokenness yet he continues to help others with their struggles, pains and problems. He

empathizes by looking at his own experiences of pain and joy to have a clearer understanding of the situations of the people he is trying to help. I am thankful that the Jesuit Candidacy Program allowed me to continue my profession as a Guidance Counselor. The experiences I had and the formation I received as a Jesuit Candidate helped me to understand my own humanness and strengthened my personal relationship with the Lord. These experiences make me not just a better counselor but also a more loving individual.

BULAN, DOMLord,You write better songs than I do.Compose my life – that every measure may speak of Your melody; that each harmony may glorify Your goodness; and that each dissonance may find its resolution only in Your mercy and love.Take me, Your fragile instrument.I know that you will make better music, Far better music than I do.And one day, I hope to find my voice and sing the song You wrote for me too.Amen.

-Journal Entry, 4:45 pm, 25 October 2014.Betania Retreat House, Tagaytay.

BUNIAO, JUAN FERNANDO

The first time that I heard that I will be assigned at Ascension chapel, I was actually nervous because first of all

I haven’t been to Payatas before and I had this impression that it is a very bad place. But after a few months staying with the kids and with the community, I was wrong and I fell in love with them.

CALUNA, KYRBYTHE EUCHARIST BROUGHT ME HOME

It was Wednesday night. I had a dream. Jesus was looking at the people of Jerusalem with tears running down his face. His was so sad. And he opened his mouth and said to them, “I tell

you the truth, you will not see me again until you say ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’”. That dream was so different. I thought it was just an ordinary dream.

The next night, Thursday, I dream again. This time I saw a priest. He was walking towards the altar. The next night, Friday, I dream the same dream. Those three consecutive dreams made me uncomfortable. I knew what the message was: Attend Mass this coming Sunday. After being away from the Catholic Church for more than two years, the message is clear: Attend Mass this coming Sunday.

Every First Mass on Sundays is Latin Mass. I was sitting at the farthest seat, observing the people and familiarizing again the entire ritual until the congregation begun to sing the Sanctus:

Sanctus Sanctus SanctusDominus Deus SabaothPleni sunt caeli et terra Gloria tuaHosanna in excelsisBenedictus qui venit in nomine DominiHosanna in excelsis

The line, “Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini”, pierced my heart in an instant. I started crying. I remember my dream that Wednesday night. Jesus looks at the people and said that they will never see him again until they say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” When the priest elevated the Body and Blood of my Lord, all doubts leave me. I knew that Jesus is truly in the altar.

After leaving the church and reflecting on that particular “revelation” of Christ, all things become clear. Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. That singular encounter I had with Christ in the Eucharist was the start of my journey back to where I truly belong: the Catholic Church. The Eucharist brought me home.

CAÑETE, ARIEL

My discernment journey in Arvisu is an experience of a lifetime. The surprises and unexpected blessings keep pouring along the way. It opens me to a vast horizon

of possibilities and things and events in my life which unfolded into something inconceivable. Who could imagine that a promdi like me will someday make his way to Ateneo, the school where everyone dreamed to be? Yes, I did not aspire to be an Atenista because all I thought it’s only for the rich, bourgeoisie and bright students. But to my surprise, along with my acceptance in the candidacy house, I will also be studying for MA Philosophy as part of my ministry assignment. Indeed it was a great opportunity, a breakthrough I did not expect to happen and before I knew it, it’s almost over.

It’s amazing how time flies so fast, because it seems just last week when I am cramming to finish my major papers in Literature with Dr. Ruiz and Mr. Lizada or rehearsing for my oral defense in Philosophy with Mr. Tolentino. It seems just last week when I patiently read volumes of readings in Literature classes. It seems just last week when we listened to Fr. Fruto’s scholarly discussion on Old Testament or our scholarly presentation on Pauline and catholic letters with Dr. Locker. It seems just last week when we listened to Ms. Jacky’s greetings — “Good morning guys!” with a sweet smile during her Logic class.

My journey in Ateneo is about to end. I feel so sad yet so blessed to be formed in both mind and heart. Inspired by the Ignatian spirituality and the call for MAGIS, I know like the BLUE EAGLE, I will soar up high with a strong heart and make a difference in the place where God wants me to be. AMDG!

CRUZ, BIEN

Work in the Campus Ministry can give you a whole range of human emotions and experiences, from being extremely tired to a feeling of euphoric joy.

Campus Ministry enabled three Jesuit Candidates to minister to students, to guide them in prayer and lead them to their own encounters with God. Campus Ministry works give us opportunities to be generous. Arvisu House has given us countless priceless experiences of God’s touch. It was through the Campus Ministry that we are able to share them with others, to let students meet the same God we met in our prayer. And the greatest consolation in Campus Ministry is to see students say that they’ve experienced God.

DE OCAMPO, KAYBEEInterstellar Eschatology

We were not meant to die in this earth; we were meant to leave it. The world we have come to know as Arvisu House Jesuit Candidacy is about to collapse in less than a month’s time.

The period of testing spirits, journeying in prayer with a community and applications have sparked a revolution, calling for drastic change in our knowledge about God, our very selves and life in general. The vocation we contemplate on give rise to the demand for new kinds of crops –obedience, chastity, and poverty that would matter beyond our local sphere. But our current soils are unable to yield this kind of produce, prompting a quest for greater faith, hope and love as we engage each other in Arvisu. I have responded to the call to be part of this expedition, and I have seen changes and even foreseen the coming changes that would put to end many of our old ways.

What we know as of this point is that the community will be divided into two groups very soon –the accepted and rejected. The accepted will move on to the novitiate and they will be continuing their formation for a religious life. The rejected will also move on to many possible realities and opportunities that God desires for them.

As I continue to dream of returning to earth, I reflect on my fate in this ship as the mission had changed. We had used to hover above different potential vocations, critically discerning especially a religious vocation. Our duty was to eat, pray and love in this community. But now, by applying to the Society of Jesus, we have risked interstellar travel to brave and tread a new path. Somewhere out here in space is a galaxy, a vocation, that could ensure our salvation. We have our sights trained to the Society of Jesus now and waiting for announcement day is a great anxiety and mystery to us. And I have realized how quickly time has passed by from where I have left off and I could no longer go back to the same home, same old self. I have been thinking of how perhaps my longing is a selfish one, and that I should contribute more to this community while I am given opportunity by God to love more.

As our interstellar Arvisu mission terminates and a new mission commences; brothers let us hold on to a fundamental truth, that love transcends time and space.

Morning praise reflection a month before announcement day. February 28, 2015.

GO, RALPH

June 6, 2014 – Two weeks after our Entrance Day in Arvisu House and a day before we had our regular DTO of being fully engaged in our respective ministries, the community

had a chance to bond and go to places for our Manila Tour. We visited Chinese temples in the Chinese Cemetery, took a tour and ate ice cream at Paco Park, prayed in Manila Cathedral, learned some culture and history at the National Museum and San Agustin Church and Museum, explored Intramuros while listening to Rondalla music, and ate good Chinese food in Binondo. In between the walks were stories, clicks and a lot laughter. At the end of the day, each one had a fun day of seeing places, eating good food, and deepening friendships with the brothers we will be with in this year of discernment.

HERNANDEZ, JAIME IV

Half of the Irwin Theater is filled with Grade Six students, their teachers, and some parents. I come in and sit in the first row of empty seats behind the students. “Hi, sir!”

they whisper as they see me in the theater. Only the stage is illuminated, awaiting the next class to perform their choral piece. They are called, and they go up on stage and onto the risers. They wear red and white shirts to form what looks like the flag of Japan, but with a heart instead of a circle. “Love is patient and kind,” they begin. They recite from Corinthians the same verses that we Candidates read in our morning prayers.

They celebrate as they get back to their seats. “Sir, did you see the heart?” they ask.

I want to tell them that merely seeing them play in the fields and in the cafeteria during recess is taking a peek at God’s infinite love. I want to tell them that I feel God’s love whenever they talk to me with the enthusiasm that seem to overflow with wonder for the world. I want to tell them that I see God’s heart in all my encounters with them, and so my heart is moved with joy and love. “Yes, we all saw it. You guys were awesome. Amazing!” are all I manage to say.

ILLANA, JONATHAN

If only the piano can speak, I believe it will tell you what’s within me. If only the piano can speak, maybe it will tell you how I had been “loving and passionate” or even how I had been “too

hard” on hitting each key. But one thing is certain; there is life in every melody it gives.

As I revisit the year that was, I recognize that God is the God who adjusts and listens. A poco a poco- little by little, the change in my personal tempo, dynamics, and even in volume, allows me to sing and dance with the rhythm that both fits the house structure and mine. I cannot perfectly describe how Arvisu House refines my personal melody- from culling my old music (my experiences in the past, my struggles, my joys, to name a few) to bringing out a new sound, a better music. I will forever be grateful to my directors for they have patiently listened to every note I play…from cries to laughters, from jokes to serious talks, even from mending some notes that are broken. Truly, scale may at times be an octave higher, or lower, just as how my life goes. My friends and brothers here in the house add up to escalating moods and beauty of the music I try to create, and with them also, I am thankful. Moreover, my studies in the Ateneo, my apostolate experiences in Liwanag Chapel, coupled with the joys of befriending Jesuit priests and brothers, make the melody even beyond just a simple Do-Re-Mi.

My world becomes too huge a musical score. My music at times becomes complicated, at times just simple, smooth and calm. Yet after all these realizations, I submit to the music God prepares for me…the plan He sets for me. But just as how the piano serves its purpose of giving life to the melody it brings, I will for sure continue to serve and love the Lord not only through music, but a life-giving service of following and singing His melody, His Will for me.

INTON, MARKAmici, Ascende Superius!

Last December break, a few fellow candidates, an assistant director, and I took our legs for a day hike to Mt. Batulao. Surprisingly, the climb pretty much mirrored our Arvisu

journey. Our climb to God’s invitation to His will. It was not all easy breezy. I remember the adjustments we did for the past months. The lessons we’ve learned from the uphills and downhills of our Arvisu experience. Amid the discomforts and difficulties, we enjoyed this climb. Countless blessings and consolations rose on top. The cool breeze on our way. The joys from our work and prayers. The promises of rising up again from our falls.

To end our hike, as initiated by one brother, we sang the Salve Regina. 360° of beautiful landscape. Cool wind touching our heads. Clouds running across the sky. Brothers who climbed with me through the rocky, muddy, grassy, windy, sunny, days of my discernment. A hymn to our mother. A very beautiful way to close our ascent to one of the marvels of God.

“Final blessings?” Jonathan asked me.“‘yung Jesuit!” I passed the task.

I looked down the mountain and saw the trail we climbed. The months we hiked to our application to the Society. The two peaks and the sun spelling out Bato at Ilaw. He didn’t say anything elaborate or grand. He simply said an invocation every Jesuit I know would close a prayer. He said, “Our Lady of the way… pray for us!”

It was perfect!

[Morning Praise, January 5, 2015]

LAMBOJON, IRVIN“Who are my mother and my brothers?” – Mark 3:33

Reflecting on the gospel, I am reminded of my life’s purpose. To serve God and His people, to give off the warmth of love. My mother has been doing it; she found

her vocation through her dedication to the family. But for me, who will my ‘others’ refer to? Who will receive my warmth? Who are my mother and my brothers? What if I expand my circle of love from those around me: family, friends and relatives, opening it up, to spread the warmth of love to encompass those who are marginalized, to those who need love most. What if I treat each other as family? Just like what Jesus did in the gospel.

Can I be like my mother to these people, to be a brother to strangers? With my efforts alone, I could not do it. I will be overwhelmed by my incapacity to create an impact but focusing my love to Jesus and being with the people who share the same passion, surely an impact can be created.

Our vocation is God’s personal invitation to fall in love with Him. It is difficult. I recall the image of the sun drawing me closer. Moving forward, I found need to close my eyes. The sun’s light is blinding. It is the same in choosing to follow Christ, I need to, put my entire faith in Him. I could never embrace the sun, instead I can just allow it’s glow to cover me. I need to be prepared to experience it’s scorching heat. In spite of these, I will persist because of my love for Him. The warmth of our personal encounter with the Lord should be shared not just limited to those people around us. It should be shared to those who need it most.

MELAD, JOHNRetreat and Surrender

“Huwag career-reen (spell??) ang pagdarasal!” These words of Fr. Buboy as taken from Fr. Magadia’s advise made a great sense in my retreat. It was I

who ran after the fast pacing Jesus in my contemplation. It was I who kept begging Him. It was I who cannot see Him. It was I who cannot touch Him. Yet, it was Him who worked it out all for me. It was Him who talked to me. It was Him who showed Himself to me. It was Him who took my hands. It was Him who laughed with me. True enough, he works for you and me!

聂树信 NIE, SIMONNew Year’s Prayer by Charlotte Anselmo

Thank you Lord for giving me The brand new year ahead Help me live the way I should As each new day I tread.

Give me gentle wisdom That I might help a friend Give me strength and courage So a shoulder I might lend.

The year ahead is empty Help me fill it with good things Each new day filled with joy And the happiness it brings.

Please give the leaders of our world A courage born of peace That they might lead us gently And all the fighting cease.

Please give to all upon this earth A heart that’s filled with love A gentle happy way to live With Your blessings from above.

I wish you Health So you may enjoy each day in comfort I wish you the Love of friends and family And Peace within your hear

I wish you the Beauty of nature That you may enjoy the work of God

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities For those things that really matter in life

I wish you Generosity so you may share All good things that come to you

I wish you Happiness and Joy And Blessings for the New Year

I wish you the best of everything That you so well deserve!

Amen!

PALAD, RAINIERRequiem to the Sofa Between the light and mundane you sit unfazedIn your non chalance and authenticity life begins to amuse meFor years, you remain constant: an enemy and a friend.You keep only light, my favourite companion.Humbly in solitude you sit with my sadness and joyCombing them and reaping what is good. To impose, to propose,To proceed, to exceed,To value, to elude,To illuminate, to darken,Life is a paradox .In this hallowed space I revisited the poet,In this hallowed space I became a poet. Flabbergasted, my old friend,Alone in the middle of the altering modesty of desire and function.Yet in your stillness you listen with no biases.My words becomes water in your great river.Silently, you become a vast ocean of dreamsHaunting each soul with courage and faith. Now I say farewell to my old companion.To you now I say my requiem.With all my gratitude, I lay you to rest.Fulfill in others what you greatly done to me,My words are now stained with your love.

侯高坡 HOU, MATTHEW

What is the most important thing in the world? Even more important than to be accepted to the novitiate. The answer is found in the gospel of Mark.

“Hear, O Israel!The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your Godwith all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Once you fell in love with a pretty girl, you will ignore other girls, and other people, even your own parents. Because in your heart, and in your mind which is occupied by her beauty, angelic face, sweet laughing sounds, graceful behaviors, and so on. And you are willing to love her pets, love what she did, love what she likes. In the same way, once you fell in love with God, you will enjoy following His commands, and love His people, though they are not so lovely, sometimes even do harm to you. But since you have love, everything is not so difficult, and you are very happy.

To love God means we should let God be the center of our lives. To love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength. We do everything because of Him, not for our own benefits. To achieve this goal is not an easy thing. But we should try to do it little by little until we see God face to face. And because we love God, so we love His people.

PORTEZO, LHANDZ“NUNCIATURE”

“Allow yourselves to be surprised by God. Don’t be afraid of surprises. They shake the ground beneath our feet and make us insecure, but they move us forward in the right direction.”

- Pope Francis

Accepting the invitation to undergo formation is to be surprised of discovering the me, myself and I. It conveys something about what I think, feel and do, thus, making me vulnerable to

experiences that may lead to spiritual conversions.

A Bikolano, bringing his personal experiences and stories, spent ten months to be with fellow discerners. It was a smooth sailing ride of genuine friendship. On my birthday, my brothers prepared the literally very big birthday card containing personal messages with sili flavor and kilay look that deeply surprised and touched me.

My ministry was into teaching (Grade 8) and Campus Ministry in the Ateneo Junior High School. I feared that I will start from scratch but to my surprise it was a wonderful journey to be part of the community. The training made me more competitive yet humble; more personally caring to my De Brito, Faber and Gonzaga students; embracing the cura personalis profoundly and recognizing that they are different from my students in Naga. They are in transition and what they need is understanding and guidance.

To discover deeply who I am in the eyes of God is the biggest surprise. Through profound prayers, tasks, and in my ministries – teaching and catechism in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, I recognized what I can offer, what I can do, what I am afraid to do and what I wish to do given my imperfections, my flaws and my sins. I can’t hide anything from Him because He knows me where I am coming from. The graces I received as a result of my formation and discernment; touched and moved me on how God communicated with me His desires to lovingly respond to the call to serve. It is liberating. It is my own experience.

These are the surprises that I was afraid to go through but with graces and prayers, I allowed myself to be surprised by God. It is amazing to realize how my faith blooms and grows in Arvisu. An experience worth remembering – that my stay was full of surprises that shaped what’s in my mind, desires of my heart and my disposition in life. There is a humour with the word nunciature. And that is nun cia sure pero ngayon di na sure. But let me propose something positive. Nunciasure because idealism and romanticism of religious life motivates him pero ngayon di na sure because he allows God to surprise him.

SANCHEZ, CHRISTIANDawning Soul

The fire remains as bright as stars tonightIn darkness filled with loneliness and fearA still small voice in me with zeal I hear

Submissiveness – I wonder if it’s right.Am I in here to find or test the light?To understand myself amidst the fearIn battling demons that would interfereDespite the doubt – I won’t give-up the fight.

In prayer filled with solitude and peaceIn front of God who loved the soul in meIn mirth and laughter – truly, I found Him.I’m pleased with God that made my heart at easeMy sins are paid in full and without feeI’m fully free! – I found my soul in Him.

SANTOS, JAMES

Everything is grace. This is how I will describe my entire Arvisu experience. For in my stay here, I learned to allow the grace of God to mold me, to heal me and to transform me. I can’t

help but be awed by the work He has done in my life. He has led me in ways I never expected and in the process, made me whole again.

One of the most significant experience I had was my encounter with the Lord during our discernment retreat. I was contemplating on the woman with hemorrhage when suddenly, I saw myself being the one bleeding continuously. At that moment, I realized and acknowledged how wounded I was and I was begging the Lord for the grace of healing. I told myself: “if only I can touch His cloak, I shall be cured.” I was chasing after Him when He subtly turned to me and raised me up. As He was raising me up, He looked intently at my eyes. His eyes were the most gentle and consoling. They were reassuring me not to worry and that He loves me. He then embraced me tightly. And in our embrace, He told me: “you are healed.” At that moment, I cant help but be overwhelmed with joy as I truly experienced His healing and His great love for me.

Openness, surrender and trust. I realized that if you let Him guide you, you’ll be surprised at how far He will take you. He indeed makes all things new. Each and everyday, I still have to deal with circumstances beyond my control. But my strength is not found in my own efforts and how I courageously struggle, but rather in how I completely entrust and surrender into His will. Should I find myself in the most difficult and painful situations, there is always hope because He is with me. He is greater than all of these. His love will sustain me through the darkest trials and fiercest of storms of my life.

My experience has also taught me humility. That it is not by my efforts that I am here but by His grace alone. And realizing this, it has motivated me to have a commitment that is grounded on gratitude and this is to live each and every day striving to follow Him and to lead others towards Him. That I become one of His hands and feet to do his work here in this world. Everything is grace. After all that I have been through, I realized how present and real He is in my life. That people, places and circumstances may change but He and His great love for me remains steadfast. I will always be grateful for this entire experience. In Him and with Him, my journey continues.

信伟鹏 XIN, FRANCIS

When I was 10 years old, I remember stealing my neighbour’s metallic items and selling them to a scrap yard so that I could earn some pocket money. The scene

is so clear in my mind that I can still feel the feeling of uneasiness, guilt, and bondage to that particular sinful act I have done. Together with my pals, we carefully planned our safety and what to do in order not to get caught before we decided to trespass by jumping into the wall of our neighbour’s house. I was assigned to observe from a distance and to signal others if my neighbour is coming back to his house. Some of my pals are in-charge of stealing worthy goods and metallic items. At that very moment, I can feel my heart beating faster and faster. I can literally feel the sweat all over my body. I am so much afraid to get caught by my neighbour.

It was a success. I did my job and they did their job and we have stolen many things. But my heart is restless. I felt shame and guilt. I am a prisoner to my own crime. I recognized that I am living in darkness. I am not free. I decided not to tell my parents about what I did. But when my parents and neighbours knew about what we did, I was set free from that bondage of guilt. They forgave me and I am very sorry for what I have done. I am not controlled by fear anymore. I was set free. Free indeed! Free at last!

I remember this story of mine because during the retreat, Fr. Jun Bugtas SJ, said that one should open that space in one’s life that drew one away from God. This is God’s invitation for me: To open my spaces of darkness in my life and allow the light of God to enlighten and guide me to live my life with freedom.

They say that ‘experience is the best teacher.’ That experience taught me how to be free. Even if I am a sinner as true as I am, Jesus’ unconditional love freed me from guilt, shame and fear. This is the Joy of the Gospel.

FREEING AND CUTTING US OFF FROM THINGS THAT DRAG US DOWN(ARVISU ENTRANCE DAY 2014)REFLECTION ON ACTS 16:1-10 / JOHN 15:18-21By Frank Savadera, SJ

Today is a FEAST of Mary. The Salesians celebrate the feast of MARY HELP

of CHRISTIANS. Our Chinese brothers, as exhorted by Pope Benedict XVI five years ago, are asked to pray to OUR LADY OF SHESHAN (Shanghai) to renew their faith and fidelity to the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter. The Jesuits today celebrate the feast of the SANTA MARIA DELA STRADA or Our Lady of the Way. Which image of the Blessed Mother do we venerate? It’s the same mother that we come home to especially as we seek to be placed CLOSER to her Son. There is something interesting that I pick up from the account of the apostolic travels of Paul, Timothy and the other disciples. They were able to travel through Derbe and Lystra and Phyrgia and Galatia and Mysia ... BUT the Holy Spirit as well ... prevented them from preaching and reaching some provinces in Asia. Reportedly, they tried going to Bythynia BUT the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

There were places that they were able to visit ... and there were places which the Holy Spirit prevented them from entering. And we ask: What meaning do we pick up from this narrative that more or less can apply to us???

For one ... we know that we are welcoming you our 20 brothers into this house. Isn’t it true that it took us a while to decide to be here. There were a lot of factors in life, our livelihood and relationships that we needed to consider. The questions we asked ourselves before coming here were serious and real: Why am I doing this to myself??? Why do I even need to consider making this decision to be here??? Huwag na lang kaya??

But the clock was ticking ... and days passing ... 7 days na lang ... 5 days na lang ... 3 days na lang ... and finally finally we are here. Brothers ... as the Spirit wills ... He could have prevented you from being here ... BUT WE ARE HERE! Be confident in knowing that the Spirit has led us here. Our Lord ... in the Gospel says: I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD. We are tasked to discover more where and how the Spirit will lead us. Because this is how He works. We submit to and we follow where the Spirit leads us. Let this be ... our being here .... be our first step in following the Spirit.

My second point has something to do with Timothy. Timothy ... he was a disciple, he was a son of a believer; the brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him ... BUT ... twice it was mentioned also ... as if it was a cause of shame for him ... that his father was Greek. According to our account ... he needed to be circumcised ... and mutilated. (????) We no longer think of this literally of course. Instead, we talk about experiences of cutting ourselves off ... a slow and progressive separation from my old world .... old ways of doing things. How do we SLOWLY SLOWLY find meaning in cutting myself off from old and gotten-used-to preoccupations???

Eg. What I say or do ... my judgments and decisions ... I will need to know ... will have an impact on members of the community; we have a LOCATOR BOARD ... and are asked to log in and out so we may know where you are; we eat the same food ... you cannot hoard ... what we have we share; we have a time for everything ... a time for sports and recreation, a time for eating, a time for prayer and silence ... we call

this DE MORE ... which for some can be DEMORE-LIZING. How do I find myself slowly slowly inserting myself into this rhythm of life?

My first advice is: BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF. Slowly and very subtly ... we are cutting ourselves off from old ways of doing things. Is this something that we can handle??? We do not need to mutilate ourselves physically ... just in the case of Timothy. No need not cut our fingers off. We venture into FREEING ourselves more ... cutting ourselves off from things that drag us down ... so we can move FREELY in doing the work of Jesus ... as Paul, Timothy and the other disciples did. Isn’t this the message of the Gospel today ... a kind of separation from the usual, from the worldly and mundane.

Lastly, as mentioned earlier ... today the Jesuits pay tribute to the image of our Lady as SANTA MARIA DE LA STRADA or Our Lady of the Way. If there is one who knew exactly how it felt BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT and being CHOSEN for a specific work of God ... if there is one who knew how it is like to be CUT OFF from mundane things and be FREE to do the work of our Lord ... Mary ... Mary! Isn’t it that we can always look up to Mary and allow her to accompany us on the way to Jesus. Mary Help of All Christians, Our Lady of Shenshan ... SANTA MARIA DELA STRADA ... pray and intercede for us.

J U N E

H U N Y O

六 月

J U L Y

H U L Y O

七 月

A U G U S T

A G O S T O

八 月

SEPTEMBER

SETYEMBRE

九 月

OCTOBER

O K T U B R E

十 月

NOVEMBER

NOBYEMBRE

十一月

DECEMBER

DISYEMBRE

十二月

JANUARY

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P E B R E RO

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三 月

LITCOM GROUPSFirst SemesterDeus Caritas Est [Bien, Irvin, Kaybee, Lhandz, Simon]Evangelii gaudium [Dom, Christian, Jonathan, Mark, Matthew]Spe Salvi [Ariel, James, John, Lester, Ralph,]Lumen fidei [Francis, Jaime, JF, Kyrby, Rainier]

Second SemesterAuthentic Power is Service [Dom, Francis, Irvin, Lhandz, Ralph]Dream Great Things [Ariel, John, Jonathan, Matthew, Rainier] Shepherds with the Smell like Sheep [Jaime, James, Kaybee, Mark, Simon]Simple is Better [Bien, Christian, JF, Kyrby, Lester]

SUNDAY APOSTOLATESLiwanag Chapel [Bien, Christian, James, Jonathan, Rainier]Feria Chapel [Irvin, Kaybee, Mark, Matthew, Ralph]Immaculate Conception Chapel [Jaime, Kyrby, Lester, Lhandz, Simon]Ascension Chapel [Ariel, Dom, Francis, John, JF]

MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTSAteneo de Manila High School - Teaching [Dom, James, Kaybee]Ateneo de Manila High School - Campus Ministry [Bien, Irvin, JF]Ateneo de Manila Junior High School - Teaching/Staff [Lhandz, Ralph, Rainier]Ateneo de Manila Grade School - Teaching [Jaime]C21 - Studies [Francis, Matthew, Simon]Jesuit Communications - Creative [Mark]Loyola Schools - Guidance Office [Lester]Loyola Schools - Studies [Ariel, Christian, John, Jonathan, Kyrby]

HOUSE ASSIGNMENTSFirst SemesterBeadle [Ralph]Sub-Beadles [Ariel, JF]Kitchen Ministers [Lhandz, Mark, Matthew]Sacristans [James, Francis]Librarians/Historians [Dom, John]Car Czar/Pet Senior [Bien]Computer Senior [Jaime]Laundry Senior [Lester]Recreation Seniors [Rainier, Irvin]Sports Seniors [Christian, Simon]Music Senior [Jonathan]Guest Relations [Kaybee]Infirmarian [Kyrby]

Second SemesterBeadle [Mark]Sub-Beadles [Kryby, Bien]Kitchen Ministers [Christian, Jaime, Simon]Sacristans [Kaybee, Jonathan]Librarians/Historians [Irvin, JF]Car Czar/Pet Senior [Rainier]Computer Senior [James]Laundry Senior [Ariel]Recreation Seniors [John, Matthew]Sports Seniors [Lester, Francis]Music Senior [Dom]Guest Relations [Lhandz]Infirmarian [Ralph]

Nanay LindaErlinda A. NituraHouse Cook

Jesuits are known for the abundant good food that they serve! And truly at Arvisu House you will never get hungry. Well, that can be attributed to the cooking prowess of Nanay Linda

who has been a source of ‘consolation’ to most of the candidates. She is behind what Arvisu House is known for - Good Food. She has serve Arvisu House for almost 17 years already. She has seen countless candidates come and go that she might have developed a discerning eye on new candidates, the veteran ‘house director’.The only flower among the thorns. The queen of Arvisu House.

Dodong JomarieJomarie CalagoStaff

Jomarie is the youngest “member” of the batch. He is best remembered for his Facebook selfies, skills in sports and for being a ‘casanova’. In his two years of service in

the house, Jomarie has proven himself to be a dependable, trustworthy,responsible worker and a humble friend to every candidate. Dodong, a helping hand, always ready to serve. The boy wonder of the house.

HOUSE ANGELS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSTeam Arvisu 2015 would like to end the year with gratitude.

Special thanks go to the people we have journeyed together in this house; Fr. Frank Savadera, SJ, Bro. Pat Nogoy, SJ and Bro. Philip Yohan, SJ, the house directors, who patiently guided us in our discernment, Nanay Linda, our cook, who fed us with good food and Jomarie, our helping hand, always available to serve.

Our experience would not have been possible without the assistance and support given by our lay partners in our respective ministries (work and studies) and apostolate assignments as well as to the Society of Jesus for giving us this opportunity to discern God’s will. Special mention to our spiritual directors, who listened to our stories and experiences, who accompanied us in our journey in heeding God’s call; to the members of the Vocation Promotions Team; to the formators and most especially to those who became our friends. Thank you!

To them and the countless others whose name might have been missed go words of gratitude as well.

Immaculate Conception Chapel - PayatasFeria Immaculate Conception ChapelLiwanag Community Ascension Youth Ministry - PayatasLoyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling (LSOGC) Dr. Peter Gatmaitan, Director of LSOGCAteneo de Manila High School CommunityAteneo de Manila Grade School and Junior High School CommunityLoyola Schools CommunityMr. Gabriel F. Mallillin, AHS PrincipalClasses of DJK2015 Mr. Jonny Salvador, AGS Headmaster Mrs. Lui Teodoro, Grade Six Level CoordinatorMrs. Virna Rivera, AGS Science and Computer Ed. CoordinatorMr. Louie Melosantos and the AHS Math DepartmentDr. Edward- David E. Ruiz, Literature Dr. Markus E. Locker, New Testament Fr. Fruto Ramirez,SJ, Old TestamentDr. Joyce Martin, Postcolonial LiteratureMr. Miguel Lizada, Third World LiteratureMs. Jackie Tolentino, LogicFr. Manny Uy, SJ, Ateneo de CebuSir Allan Aquino, AJHS, SAC Araling PanlipunanMa. Isabel Castaneda, Grade 8 Level CoordinatorJenny Salvana, Campus Minister, AJHSCarmela Oracion, Officer-in-Charge, AJHSBro. Peter and the Liwanag Community (Apostolate) Ms. Jennifer Concepcion, AHS Asst Principal for Academic AffairsMr. Ron Capinding, AHS Asst Principal for Student AffairsMr. Noel Miranda, CLE Subject Area Coordinator, AHSMr. Jerry Pavia, Year Level Coordinator and the CLE departmentMs. Suzanne Alvarez, Head AHS CMOAHS Campus Ministry OfficeSections EFIJ2016 (Work Ministry)Ms Meren Sun, CEFAM Counsellor Grade 8-De BrittoFaber and Gonzaga sections

Norma Quinito and Kim Silvestre (Apostolate)AP Department (Ma’am Tet, Mady, Bea, Sally and Alshe) Mrs. Maisa CastanedaMrs. Pog SantosMr. Riemann GalliguezMrs. Ria Arespacocchaga, AJHSCenter for Family Ministries (CEFAM)Gawad KalingaUP-PGH Pedia Onco Ward and ChaplaincyMr. and Mrs. Harry Tang & FamilyAtty & Dr. Feria and FamilyMr. Jon Bilog, Science Dep, AHSMs. Cristina GalbanSan Jose Seminary CommunityArrupe International Residence CommunityFr. James Gascon, SJ Fr. Roger Champoux, SJFr. Louie Catalan, SJFr. Kit Bautista, SJFr. Jun Bugtas, SJFr. Tim Ofracio, SJFr. Manoling Franisco, SJFr. Arnel Aquino, SJFr. Nono Alfonso, SJFr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ, APFOR, AHSBro. JP Echevarria, SJBro. Harvey Mateo, SJBro. Ro Atilano, SJ Bro. Bryan Arevalo, SJBro. Robbie Paraan, SJBro. Amado Tumbali, SJBro. Mamert Manus, SJ Bro. Ed Colmenares, SJRev. Hyungsik Jo, SJ, Fr. Vic Baltazar, SJFr. Asandas Balchand,SJFr. Bill Abbott, SJFr. Nono Levosada, SJFr. Ceasar Marin, SJFr. Patrick Falguera, SJFr. Archie Carampatan, SJFr. Roy Ragas, SJFr. Junjun Borres, SJFr. Ramon Bautista, SJBro. Noel Elorde SJBro. Sherwin Santos, SJRev. Mark Lopez, SJRev. Atong Ong, SJRev. Henry Ponce, SJRev. Bros Flores, SJSr. Agnes Phan

Prayers offered for all of you.

TEAMARVISU2015

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.

Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentesin hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.