Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary

Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary Diocesan Clergy of Cotabato Official Vocation Promotion page

Gospel Reflection | Pentecost SundayJn. 20: 19-23In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus appearing to His disciples after...
23/05/2026

Gospel Reflection | Pentecost Sunday
Jn. 20: 19-23

In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus appearing to His disciples after His Resurrection and giving them peace, the Holy Spirit, and the mission to forgive sins. In this passage, the disciples were afraid, but Jesus stood before them and said, “Peace be with you.” After that, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

As a seminarian, this Gospel reminds me not to be afraid. Just as the disciples were afraid and hiding, Jesus came to them and said, “Peace be with you.” This shows that Jesus strengthens those whom He calls to the priesthood. The Gospel also teaches that Jesus is preparing us to become instruments who will share His Word and be guided by the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that our vocation is a mission entrusted to us by Jesus.

In reflecting on this Gospel, we are reminded that we must fully trust Jesus Christ, because He knows what is best for us as human beings. We are called to be strong and not to be afraid, especially when we experience hardships and shortcomings in life. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to guide us in the journey we take every day.

At the same time, the Gospel also emphasizes peace and forgiveness. We are called to forgive others because we are all human and capable of making mistakes. It is never too late to forgive. In order to experience true peace, we must learn to reconcile with one another, trust in God, and live without fear.


Gospel Reflection | Solemnity of the Ascension of the LordMt. 28:16-20Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus. ...
16/05/2026

Gospel Reflection | Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Mt. 28:16-20

Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, we hear about the final appearance of Jesus to His disciples. Jesus declared His complete authority over everything, both in heaven and on earth, by saying, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Then He commanded His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

There are two important things that we need to ponder in this Gospel: mission and obedience.
First, mission. Jesus Christ calls His disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. This reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are also called to share His love and teachings with others. Our mission is to help people know God and grow in faith.

Second, obedience. Jesus also tells His disciples to teach others to observe everything He has commanded. This means that following Christ requires obedience. We show our love for God by living according to His teachings and by trusting His guidance in our daily lives. Together, mission and obedience form the Great Commission, the mission given by Jesus to His followers.

As a seminarian, mission and obedience are part of my journey. They help me focus on my formation and fulfill what is expected of me. My mission is to become a good priest who will spread the Word of God and help people know Him more deeply. I hope to help those who are in need and bring them closer to God.

Obedience is also important in my formation because it is where everything begins. How can I obey God if, in the first place, I do not obey the schedules and the rules of the seminary? How can I become a good priest if I cannot learn to obey God? Mission and obedience are therefore very important because they help me grow as a seminarian.

As I reflect on this, I realize that mission leads me forward, obedience keeps me faithful, and together they guide me toward the priest God calls me to become. My vocation is a journey that requires both action and faithfulness. Mission pushes me to move forward and serve others by sharing God’s love, while obedience keeps my heart grounded in God’s will. As a seminarian, I learn that every small act of discipline, prayer, and service prepares me for the priesthood. Through mission and obedience, I slowly grow into the person and priest that God is calling me to become.

Lastly, the Gospel reminds us that the Ascension of Jesus is not only about His return to heaven but also about the mission He left to His followers. Through His command to make disciples of all nations, He invites us to continue His work here on earth. This mission can only be fulfilled through obedience to His teachings and trust in His guidance. As a seminarian, reflecting on mission and obedience strengthens my commitment to my vocation. By faithfully following the rules of formation and striving to live according to God’s will, I prepare myself to serve others and lead them closer to God. In this way, mission and obedience guide me in becoming the priest that God calls me to be.


Gospel Reflection | 6th Sunday of EasterJn. 14:15-21Brothers and Sisters, in today’s Gospel, we have heard of Jesus’ sim...
09/05/2026

Gospel Reflection | 6th Sunday of Easter
Jn. 14:15-21

Brothers and Sisters, in today’s Gospel, we have heard of Jesus’ simple yet profound instruction to His disciples; that is, to love Him means keeping His commandments. This is easy to understand yet difficult to practice in one’s life.

One question that I am afraid of being asked is the question “Do you love Jesus?” Do I love Jesus? It might sound silly that a Christian, on top of that, a seminarian, is afraid of being asked this question. In the first place, isn’t it given that every Christian already loves Jesus? What’s so scary about being asked whether you love Jesus? As Jesus had said in the Gospel, to love Him means keeping His commandments. To say that I love Jesus is to say that I am keeping His commandments, and if not, then it implies the contrary.

Facing the question of whether I love Jesus makes me reflect and look at myself and all that I have done and am doing. To know whether I love Jesus, I must first know whether I have been keeping His commandments. Do I love God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind? Do I love my neighbor as myself? Do I have the strength to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me? Do I have the courage to, when slapped in the right cheek, turn the other cheek? Do I not judge? Do I take care of those who are least, lost, and last? Do I have the humility to deny myself, take up His cross, and follow Him?

Many times I have failed in keeping Jesus’ commandments, which is why I am afraid of being asked whether I love Him, as I can’t confidently answer “yes.” But I am not hopeless; I believe that if I entrust myself to Him, He will teach me to follow His commands and love Him. As Jesus has promised, He has sent His Holy Spirit to be with us; the Spirit of truth, which will remain with us and be with us. As I am now in the Discipleship stage of the priestly formation, this is my goal: to become his disciple and follow his commandments.

And so I ask you, brothers and sisters, do you love Jesus?


"Happy Birthday, Brother Gean!💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and service to...
04/05/2026

"Happy Birthday, Brother Gean!💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and service to His Church."

Gospel Reflection | 5th Sunday of EasterJohn 14: 1-12In today’s Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples by saying, “Do not ...
02/05/2026

Gospel Reflection | 5th Sunday of Easter
John 14: 1-12

In today’s Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He encourages them to believe in Him because He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can only come to the Father if we follow Jesus Christ.

The Gospel reminds us that despite the troubles in our lives, we should continue to follow Jesus even in the midst of hardships and challenges. Following Jesus is never easy. We face many difficulties, and sometimes people begin to question whether it is right to believe in Him or not, or whether He is truly the way.

In the seminary, I also face many struggles, especially in my studies and in keeping up with the schedules we have. Because of this, there are moments when I begin to question whether following Jesus is really meant for me. But upon deeper reflection, I have come to realize that following Jesus is indeed full of difficulties, like walking on a road full of sharp rocks. When we choose to follow Jesus, challenges will always come our way. These challenges test us so that we may grow stronger and become more capable of facing trials, just as Jesus Himself endured suffering.

My dear brothers and sisters, we are reminded not to let our hearts be troubled despite the daily trials we face and the never-ending conflicts among people. We must believe that the Father is guiding us, and that by following Jesus we will receive eternal life.

Let us ask ourselves these questions: Am I truly following Jesus? Do I truly believe in Him? And do I still recognize His will even when I face hardships, challenges, and trials in life?

The Gospel reminds us that through Jesus we will receive eternal life and enter the kingdom of the Father. Amen.


"Happy Birthday, Brother Reyneil 💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and service...
30/04/2026

"Happy Birthday, Brother Reyneil 💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and service to His Church."

"Happy Birthday, Brother Kristian 💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and servic...
28/04/2026

"Happy Birthday, Brother Kristian 💚May God continue to guide and bless you abundantly as you journey in faith and service to His Church."

Gospel Reflection | 4th Sunday of EasterJohn 10:1-10In our world today, many people are influenced by different voices. ...
25/04/2026

Gospel Reflection | 4th Sunday of Easter
John 10:1-10

In our world today, many people are influenced by different voices. Some of these voices guide us, but many of them can also mislead us. Instead of leading us to the truth, they sometimes lead us to confusion, lies, and wrong choices. Because of this, many people begin to lose trust in what they hear. Some even choose to stop listening because they are tired of false promises and empty words.

In the Gospel of John 10:1–10, Jesus reminds us that there is one true voice that we should follow. He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, and we are like the sheep who recognize the voice of their shepherd. The sheep follow the shepherd because they know that his voice will lead them to safety, nourishment, and life. In the same way, we are invited to listen to the voice of Jesus in our lives. His voice can be heard through prayer, through the Gospel, and through the teachings of the Church. When we listen to Him, He guides us toward truth and goodness.

As a seminarian, this Gospel reminds me that following the voice of God is not easy. There are many voices that distract me, such as earthly desires, pride, selfishness, and fear. Sometimes these voices confuse me about which one I should follow. As a student, I also experience this in my studies. There are times when I become distracted while listening to my teacher, and this leads to confusion and uncertainty. There are also times when I am listening, but I do not fully understand what my teacher is explaining.

Through these experiences, I realize that listening is not enough; true listening must come with understanding. In the same way, listening to the voice of God also requires attention, openness, and reflection.

My dear brothers and sisters, this Gospel invites us to ask ourselves an important question: Are we truly listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd, or are we just hearing without understanding? Sometimes we feel lost because of the many distractions around us. But Jesus assures us that when we follow Him, we will find life in its fullness. Therefore, let us learn to listen carefully to His voice, trust in His guidance, and allow Him to lead us on the path of truth and life.

A Glimpse of Us | Year-end SalusaloOn the evening of April 21, the NDAS community gathered for a simple yet meaningful y...
23/04/2026

A Glimpse of Us | Year-end Salusalo

On the evening of April 21, the NDAS community gathered for a simple yet meaningful year-end salusalo and bonding time. Seminarians, formators, and staff came together in thanksgiving, celebrating the many blessings and guidance God has graciously bestowed upon the formation community throughout the year. With a heartfelt toast, the night was filled with joy, gratitude, and fraternity.

The celebration also featured a special tribute to Fr. EJ Paladin, honoring his three years of dedicated service to the seminary. As he prepares to pursue further studies in Rome, we send him off with our prayers, gratitude, and best wishes.

We are deeply thankful for your presence, support, and prayers as you journeyed with us throughout this formation year. We look forward to sharing more joyful moments with you and offering a glimpse into our simple and humble life in the seminary.

May God bless you all. See you in the next formation year, 2026–2027!


SAINT OF THE DAY!St. Adalbert of PragueSaint Adalbert was born as Vojtěch in Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic. H...
22/04/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY!
St. Adalbert of Prague

Saint Adalbert was born as Vojtěch in Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic. He came from a noble family. When he was young, he became very sick. His parents prayed to God and promised that if he became well, they would offer him to God as a priest. He recovered and later studied in Magdeburg, Germany, under Bishop Adalbert, whose name he later took.

He became a priest and then the Bishop of Prague. Because many people rejected his teachings, he lived for a time as a Benedictine monk. Later, he traveled to Poland and Prussia to preach the Gospel. He was killed for his faith in the year 997 and became a martyr.

Saint Adalbert was holy because he loved God above everything else. He lived simply, prayed often, fasted, and cared deeply for the poor and the sick. As a bishop, he spoke against sin even when people were angry with him.
He did not run away from danger. He stayed faithful to God until death. His martyrdom showed his strong faith and deep love for Jesus.

Saint Adalbert teaches us to stay faithful even when doing good is hard. Sometimes, people do not listen when we try to share what is right. Saint Adalbert reminds us not to give up.

We may not see results right away, but God sees our efforts. Faithfulness is more important than success.

"It is an easy thing to wear the mitre and a cross; but it is a most dreadful circumstance to have an account to give of a bishopric to the Judge of the living and the dead."-St. Adalbert

Prayer
St. Adalbert of Prague, faithful shepherd and courageous martyr, pray for us. Help us remain strong in faith, patient in trials, and generous in love. Teach us to give our lives to God without fear. Amen.

On April 19–20, the NDAS community gathered for its year-end retreat—a meaningful time to pause, reflect, and look back ...
20/04/2026

On April 19–20, the NDAS community gathered for its year-end retreat—a meaningful time to pause, reflect, and look back on the graces and experiences that shaped each seminarian throughout the formation year.

Guided by Rev. Fr. Emerald John C. Paladin, DCC, as retreat master, the community was led into deeper reflection on the importance of discernment and gratitude in one’s relationship with others and with God.

As the formation year draws to a close, we give thanks to the Lord for His constant providence and guidance throughout this journey.

Address

Quezon Avenue, Barangay Rebuken
Sultan Kudarat
9605

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+63644290030

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Notre Dame Archdiocesan Seminary posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share