Capiz Seminary offers concert for frontliners

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Seminarians and priests of the Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina Seminarium (SMMRS), the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Capiz, shared their talents to keep on uplifting the morale of all the frontline workers fighting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through an online concert on Tuesday evening, September 8.

Dubbed as “The Calling XVI: A Tribute to our Frontliners,” the seminary community, as part of its fiesta celebration in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sang their hearts out in continuing their annual concert which, for the first time, was held virtually.

“This is our simple way of walking the extra mile,” said Very Rev. Fr. John Carl Robles, Acting Rector of the seminary, in his video message.

Fr. Robles pointed out that while the concert was done by amateurs, he stressed that, unlike professionals, amateurs perform out of love.

The Acting Rector explained that the root word of “amateur” comes from the Latin word that means “love.”

In his short message, Capiz Archbishop Jose Advincula Jr. lauded the frontliners’ “courage and dedication” as they risk their owns lives and personal safety so as to prevent the spreading of the unpredictable disease.

“Despite the difficult and challenging situation we find ourselves in today, your commitment in caring for our sick and needy brothers and sisters is truly a blessing for us all,” Archbishop Advincula said, whose anniversary as Bishop was remembered on the same day.

As a caring Pastor to an almost weary flock, the Capiz prelate recognized that while the frontline workers has served in “selfless” capacities, they too get to experience too much fatigue and stress.

Nonetheless, the Archbishop encouraged to hold on to their essential motivation in doing their tasks, which is love, saying that after all, “Deus caritas est… God is love.”

“When resources become limited and when everything was exhausted, and when all seem lost, love is the best and ultimate resource that we have and we believe that this is the most powerful option,” he consolingly said.

The concert not only showcased the seminarians’ creativity and talents during the concert but as well as their effort and love for those serving the people in the time of the pandemic by taking videos of themselves and recording their songs despite the limited means.

Among those who notably performed was Seminarian Noel Atis, a third-year philosophy student, who was diagnosed earlier this year with stage 2 bone cancer and had to have his left knee amputated.

Sem. Atis had his surgery and the series of chemotherapy sessions in the midst of strict health protocols in hospitals. His performance was his way of thanking the services of health workers who attended to him.

The said concert is part of the Capiz major seminary’s annual tradition usually held with a festive mood under normal circumstances.