On August 3, 2023, St. Paul Seminary in Silang, Cavite, welcomed the arrival of 13 candidates for the school year 2023-2024. One of them is taking the two-year Adult Formation Program. The new aspirants come from all three regions of the country.
In the rites in the evening August 6, the newcomers were officially welcomed to the Aspirancy Program by the Provincial Superior Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite. They were presented to the community present in the chapel by the Vocation Director Fr. Samy John Torrefranca. The occasion was preceded by the installation of the new Rector of St. Paul Seminary Fr. Norman Melchor Peña who succeeds Fr. Gil Alinsangan who has finished his four-year term.
The new aspirants were given copies of the Bible, Prayers of the Pauline Family, and Prayers of Christians.
Those who attended the rites were the Silang community, the Daughters of St. Paul who study in the seminary, and the Sisters of the Divine Zeal. Fr. Norman, the new Rector and Dean of Studies, presented the composition of the team of formators: Fr. Leopoldo Botavara, III (Local Superior), Fr. Jose Aripio, Fr. Anthony Capirayan, Fr. Micha Miguel Competente, Fr. Ledio Peter Barisoro, and Bro. Jose Cajilig.
At supper time in the refectory, the new aspirants introduced themselves and shared why they entered St. Paul Seminary. It was also the despedida for Fr. Gil Alinsangan and Fr. Jose Felix Cotez who are assigned to other communities and official welcome for Fr. Micha Competente, the new member of Silang community.
