MESSAGE

My warmest and best wishes to the Community of the Saint John the Evangelist School of
Theology, Palo, Leyte. And congratulations to the Saint Augustine Class as they conclude their
seminary formation and enter a new phase in their priestly training. At the end of Academic Year
2017-2018, I hope that all have reached a certain contentment at the achievement of the “communal
dream” with which you started the School Year. Ut unim sint, “that they may be one,” is repeated
by the Lord Jesus several times in his so-called “high-priestly prayer” (Jn. 17), when he intercedes
for his disciples and for all Believers. In praying thus, one can also participate in the Priestly Office
of the Lord himself! Then one comes to understand that, indeed, prayer and the priesthood is not
just a matter of words: after this prayer, John’s Gospel narrates the beginning of the Lord’s Passion.
Jesus offers not only a prayer of intercession for his followers; he offers himself in sacrifice for
them: “and for their sake I consecrate myself” (Jn 17:19a).

It takes more than prayer to make one out of many; it is also necessitates sacrifice. And a
grace-filled opportunity for this is given in the seminary. In it, for an entire School Year, you pray
together, celebrate the Eucharist, live in common, support one another in goodness and strive
together to reject what is evil, grow in grace and wisdom, and make sacrifices that sustain unity.
The Seminary is a locus where Christ’s “ut unum sint” is gradually realized. One word that
describes the realization of this deep unity is “communion” – the fruit of prayer and sacrifice which
gives rise to “community.”

Let me warmly and vigorously congratulate the SJEST COMMUNITY! The prayers and
sacrifices of each have brought you together to this long-awaited conclusion of the Academic Year.
May these continue to strengthen you in our unity and in your union with God through Christ and
in the Holy Spirit. Blessed are you!

+ MOST REV. REX C. RAMIREZ, D.D.

Bishop of Naval