Jayson D.

Biggayan

It was a first time for me to learn something about Canon Law. However, it is not a new for me
because I heard it already as my peer group always saying it. In fact, I don’t know yet its full
meaning and definition, its background and sources but at least I have now already the notion
about it. During our class with Fr. Esmeraldo Enalpe, OFM, in the first day, October 6, he
discussed and focused only on the book two entitled “People of God”, of the whole text and
contents. He explained and gives us some differences between the new and old canon law. He
gives us also some canonical term that needs to be used in order for us not to confuse on the
words and meaning itself. The next day, he discusses about the life of the canonical year of the
formation. In this topic, he gives us some questions to help us understand more the situations
happening in this year of formation. He ended his class with the meaning of the transfer,
departure and dismissal of every individual friars or priest. Above all, he explains us how a friar
will be sent out with its grave sins or mistakes. Canon law is not to punish but to protect
individual.

With this topic, I learned two important ideas which I believe that will help me more to be
productive and matured in my chosen vocation. First, I learned that this year of formation is very
important for us to see what God’s will for us. It is a time for me to realize that everything
happening to me is because God wants me to do it. This year also is a year where I can find my
inmost being as person and as a religious. Canon law awaken me how novitiate is very important
as a formation. This might not be taking as a play but it will be taken seriously in order to be
molded and be formed with the will of God. Second, Canon law, as what Fr. echie said to us, that
this will not be the punishment but to protect those who are in difficulties and struggles in life
and in formation. It will help a formandee to reach out and find his real purpose in life. Above
all, it will serve as a protection as long as our hearts is open and honest in front of God. The class
help me to understand the reality and the hidden secrets of the formation on how a formandee
will evaluate from the formation. The reality well said to become aware of what will happen to
us in the future. Only we can do is to trust God that he will help us in everything we do. No
matter what happen He will guide us along our journey towards His Kingdom. Canon Law must
be observed to all of us in order to do all the necessary things and rights that we should always
do in our ministry and community. Let us help one another to become more meaningful and
fruitful in life by allowing God’s desire for us. We might always remember that our life is rooted
from God who gives us all our needs. Canon law gives us a way, an ideas and a good action to
every struggles in life. We must not be burdened because there is something that will help us and
there is someone to strengthen us.