EMMANUEL SERVANTS OF THE HOLY TRINITY

House of Postulancy
Purok 3, Kalubkob, Silang, Cavite

REV. FR. ERIC B. ESTRADA, ESHT, MATh

Director of Postulants
0916 278 3774

Dear Father:
Greetings of peace and love in honor of the Most Holy Trinity!
After series of prayers, contemplation, and vocation-discernment, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
myself to continue the Postulancy Program at Silang, Cavite as an irregular 4th Year postulant. The following
areas of formation helped me discern my perseverance in this vocation:

A. COMMUNITY LIFE:
I am now aware of the community’s activities in the seminary. Before, I found it hard to balance
community life, spiritual life, and academic life. I sometimes forgot to be present on some gatherings for a reason
that I needed to pass the school requirements in due time. Later, I had observed the unhealthy relationship that I
had with my fellow brothers and fathers. I then changed my lifestyle and actively involved in all community
gatherings. Sometimes, I thought that I must do the school requirements and left the community life in the
meantime. In the end, I preferred community life and get back to work afterwards. In terms of my relationship
with the fellow seminarians, I had been an elder for 3 years and I am grateful to handle my relationship to them.
I highly respected their individualities and behavior. Even though we had different beliefs and personalities, I did
not see it as a hindrance but rather an opportunity to accept them as members of the family. I also valued all the
properties inside the seminary. At first, I forgot about it but when someone reminded me, I would do it
immediately. I reminded myself of the importance in using the facilities and equipment for a reason that they
were not mine but rather it belonged to the community. Granting that the community provided us all my needs, I
could only contribute in return by being mindful and responsible of the things that I used. Therefore, I should
always take care of it.

B. PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL:
I know that it is tough to live apart from my biological family. The seminary also limited the family-
engagement through text messages, phone calls, Facebook, and Messenger. In the long run, I found out that there
was a formative value of detachment that I need to develop. I need to slowly detach from them so that I can focus
on my vocation in the seminary. When my mother talked to me, I felt guilty that I could not help ease her difficulty
in life. On the other hand, as long as I can hear her voice and the others, I am grateful that they did not forget me
and even supported me emotionally. Whenever I had problems, they were there to comfort me and I would do the
same to them. In addition, I am an entitled person. I would highly suggest things what are best for the community
while not forgetting their ideas. However, there were times that I had few arguments with the director due to
emotional stress and conflicting ideas, so therefore, I became disrespectful in this matter. In the end, I would
apologize for my misbehaviors. Although I respect the top-down authority, I am always entitled to speak for my
right. Thus, I need to develop in this kind of formation so that I might not encounter this improper attitude toward
others.

C. SPIRITUAL LIFE:
My devotion to the Holy Sacrament is the best for me. Whenever I saw the Holy Sacrament, I saw my life
in the seminary who partakes the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. I can feel the love for spiritual engagement
and the solemn moment with God. When I am together with my fellow brothers, singings chants and songs,
kneeling, and adores the Holy Sacrament, I could feel the solemnity of the entire adoration. However, there were
occasions of spiritual crisis and I thought that it was natural for everyone for a reason that the body and spirit are
sometimes in conflict. I could sleep sometimes during the celebration of the Mass. However, despite of my
weakness in spiritual aspects, my personal devotion in prayer life is still my strength. I entered the seminary
because of my religious inclination and I want to learn more. It has been months that I did not confess and I could
not find someone to visit for spiritual direction. I need someone who can help me improve on some areas of
concern such as conscious and active participation throughout the Mass. My spiritual life bothers me however, I
firmly hold on to the strong foundation of my vocation that only the seminary can help me.

D. PASTORAL LIFE (PARISH OR COMMUNITY APOSTOLATE):

For several years, I am happy because there was always a worthwhile value in charitable engagement. For
instance, together with the help of Sir Erwin Tulfo and his charitable works to provide ‘Ayudas’, I could serve the
people who are in great need amidst disasters and pandemic crisis. I am always happy whenever I hand over the
food supplies. Even though it was not enough, as long as they are happy with the small amount of help, I am also
affected by their gratefulness. Upon reflection, I should be also grateful for the things that I received, even how
small or big it was. Furthermore, pastoral life also encouraged me to be more religious in this sense for a reason
that I also helped the parishes nearby and let the people understand that there is always a divine Provider for all
our needs. I found this importance particularly when we had Holy Week apostolate at Sitio Maynilaan, Talon,
and Burol. Eventually, the parish priest and the parishioners were grateful to see us and joined with them.

E. ON HEALTH OR WELLNESS
I am not a manipulative person in terms of orderliness in the house. On the contrary, I let the others think
of it while being initiative about household chores. Whenever there is a trash or dirty stuff, I do not wait for others
to clean it but rather do it myself. However, it did not help them because they became unaware of it. Later on, I
let them remind first of their duties and responsibilities. If they forgot, I would do it and told them afterwards.
Thus, I see myself to be of help as future perpetually professed seminarian of the ESHT while being conscious of
this area of concern. As one of the elder brothers whose ahead of them in the formation, I must guide them how
to keep the hygiene and order in the house.

Thus, I want to extend my Postulancy Program in the seminary for there are still more rooms that I need
to develop in the above-mentioned areas of formation. Thank you for your consideration and may the Holy Trinity
inspire and encourage me more to be a worthy servant of God and His people.

Sincerely yours,

BR. WINSTON C. QUILATON

Postulant