Life has been different ever since I entered the seminary, from the discipline that gradually

refines me, to my personal relationship with God. Indeed there is a big difference in times of
surviving the daily struggles, especially being a student. Some would take more time in
travelling and have lesser time for rest while the others would just simply wait for the bell to
ring, watching and longing for their share of a delicious and juicy fried chicken. These are only
glimpses of the lifestyles inside and outside the seminary and this article compares and contrast
their peculiarities pertaining the variations of surviving the daily struggle.

Tackling about convenience on one hand, the outside world offers a wide variety of the student’s
necessities from the basic stationery set to the most complicated requirements from the teacher.
On the other hand the seminary already provides you with all the things they require from the
first day of class. You lack an item? There’s a canteen that also offers not just a variety of knick
knacks but also school supplies suited for your needs. However it is limited and is costly. The
outside world may offer many but the seminary gives more convenience as these things you need
are already inside. No need to run miles away for your refill ink.

The seminary, etymologically speaking, is a ‘seed box’. This is a place where intellectual priests
are formed and not just priests but lawyers, teachers, and many other professions. Aspirants for
priesthood and those who long to discern peacefully benefits the one of a kind discipline and
lifestyle similar to a simple clergyman: he grows in age, wisdom, and in grace by the different
fields exposed to him. And by this, he is well equipped and is flexible enough to respond to other
kinds of profession, or rather taking up further studies. The outside world could offer a good
discipline and perhaps gain a fruitful harvest but what lacks outside is the ‘eye’ of seeing God’s
love in one place through all his experiences. One would transfer from one place to another to
seek Him and recognize His overflowing love and mercy, the real fuel of a good discernment and
inspiration.

Indeed the outside world suffices us with our earthly cravings however, this does not make us
respond directly to His call to each one of us, to be holy and blameless in his sight. It may sound
biased but the seminary is the best place where you grow, discern, and respond not only to the
needs of man, but also your personal vocation to whatever fields of discipline you choose, in
order to survive the daily struggles in life and to love others as one could love himself.