The San Jose Seminary in Quezon City will host the largest gathering of diocesan theology seminarians from across the country over the weekend.
According to the organizers, approximately 300 participants are expected to gather for “Kapatiran 2024” on Feb. 24, marking their first face-to-face encounter since the pandemic.
More participants are expected to attend the event online, as they adopt a hybrid format.
This year’s theme is “Humayo: Servants of Truth, Shepherds of Renewed Integral Evangelization”, highlighting their commitment to serve God’s people, following the example of the Good Shepherd.
Amidst new seminary challenges and the Philippine Church’s updated Ratio Nationalis, Kapatiran 2024 aims to emphasize synodality.
“By addressing the contemporary challenges faced by seminarians, the event seeks to prepare them for their shared mission in spreading the love and teachings of Jesus,” organizers said.
The event will commence with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Emeritus Ernesto Salgado of Nueva Segovia, with Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez delivering the homily.
Among the speakers for the whole-day event are Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Seminaries, and Carmelite Fr. Christian Buenafe, co-executive secretary of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines and national coordinator of its Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC).
Kapatiran stands as a symbol of unity and renewal within the Seminarians’ Network of the Philippines (SEMNET).
The annual tradition aims to foster brotherhood among seminarians, preparing them for their shared ministry as dedicated future pastors serving the Church and its people.
Founded in 1991, SEMNET is an organization of theology seminarians in the Philippines focused on socio-political awareness and the integral formation of seminarians in theology.
