I am Bazil T. Sabacajan, a professional college instructor from Camiguin Island. I am also a young man who is attracted to the mission and charism of the Augustinians of the Assumption. I would like to contribute my unforgettable memories with the Religious of the Assumption Sisters in Kibangay Bukidnon last Oct. 31-Nov.3. It made me realized now that I should share my story because it has indeed a great impact in my life. Kibangay is one of the mission areas for the Religious of the Assumption here in Mindanao.It's so strange since I am the only man in the group but I never had experienced any dull moments with them since you can easily find your place to their presence. Indeed the Religious of the Assumption Sisters are truly women of faith and action just like the Augustinians of the Assumption whom I believed are also men of
faith and action.This is my Story:
THE MEMORABLE KIBANGAY........
The sun was bright.Dust touched my face as I hurriedly stepped at the gate of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan . The place, as usual is not new to me for I obtained my baccalaureate degree in this university. Busy people,busy streets, that's how cities used to be.We'll be having an exposure and immersion to a place in Bukidnon. But a strange feeling urged my pulse telling me that this will be a different journey- an extraordinary one.
Because of this feeling, I interestingly started the excursion together with some Religious of the Assumption Sisters and their aspirants. Reaching Bukidnon ' we eventually engaged the long, winding, steepy road with heavy downpour. One of our companions , Sr. Josefa, a 66- year old RA nun didn't mind the bad weather, the rocky path or even the agonizing pain on her back.
We reached sitio Kibangay a few hours later.The place was clean, cold and natural- a good place for exposure and immersion. The people lived simply and all are religious. Unfavorably, the security, peace and justice is not so perceptible. Poverty , indeed, is very visible in the area.
Kibangay and earthly paradise, is where I learned three things that truly established in my mind: The apostolic life where I realized the essence of giving almost everything for the less fortunate, the prayer life in which I learned the true meaning of prayer, the tune of the vespers and lauds and lastly the community life where I had an opportunity to meet other and learned to adjust with the smooth atmosphere and unfamiliar environment.
Despite all these, this remote locality that for once I thought was peaceful, has its own hidden face of violence. On that very night, two religious people were beheaded inmotivatedly on a nearby sitio. Unlike in the cities, the law enforcers or the police could hardly reach this inaccessible area. sad to say, but the criminal is still roaming around in the vicinity,in short the criminal is still at large.. News spread in the next morning and we didn't do anything but to pray for our safety.
The morning of Nov.1 was the start of my immersion. Sr. Irene Cecille, RA assigned me to a foster father whom I used to call "Manong Dodong" ,uncle Dodong a simple widowed resident. Thoroughly we went to the cemetery to visit his wife. The long tour of the bushes led us to a simple, indigenous cemetery.
After saying short prayers, Manong Dodong then led me to their small chapel made of a bamboo and wood. Since then I recognized the great faith of this man with Christ. Shortly , we were about to go to his house, and when I asked him where it is located, he humbly pointed out a very small, distant "kubo" or hut on the way.
Arriving , I've seen that the house is composed of a room. In it is a bedroom, a small kitchen and a table and no toilet. He said they are four who live here. Deeply surprised, I can now see how ordinary his life is.
Curious, I asked him of why he didn't tried to concretized his house. He just plainly replied that he was once helped by the Religious of the Assumption Sisters, who gave him concrete materials but, he decided to donate those materials to the chapel because it needs more construction. These words struck my heart and it made me recognize an image of a man dedicated to service for God and his fellowmen.
I almost finished my immersion. After thanking Manong Dodong, I was back at the convent , resting , although my mind is still awake. I taught my heart of something true. That, "doing service is never easy. You have to give your heart for others unselfishly and willingly. For a man of service like Manong Dodong , God would surely reward him for his kindness in heaven.
Each moment I've shared with different people was totally enriching. Through it., I've known that we are born with a mission and that is, to be instruments of peace and mercy towards other people. and above all the most important things that I could bring whenever I will go are the values that I have discovered in this unforgettable journey of my life.
Kibangay is truly a good reflection of our society- poverty stricken. Ultimately, the ones who could visit the place will surely have a deeper outlook in life as what I have gone through. This experience changed a part of me and it made me realize the truth of our world today and the challenge that we must take to live without chaos, injustice, and crises but with peace, justice and harmony.
faith and action.This is my Story:
THE MEMORABLE KIBANGAY........
The sun was bright.Dust touched my face as I hurriedly stepped at the gate of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan . The place, as usual is not new to me for I obtained my baccalaureate degree in this university. Busy people,busy streets, that's how cities used to be.We'll be having an exposure and immersion to a place in Bukidnon. But a strange feeling urged my pulse telling me that this will be a different journey- an extraordinary one.
Because of this feeling, I interestingly started the excursion together with some Religious of the Assumption Sisters and their aspirants. Reaching Bukidnon ' we eventually engaged the long, winding, steepy road with heavy downpour. One of our companions , Sr. Josefa, a 66- year old RA nun didn't mind the bad weather, the rocky path or even the agonizing pain on her back.
We reached sitio Kibangay a few hours later.The place was clean, cold and natural- a good place for exposure and immersion. The people lived simply and all are religious. Unfavorably, the security, peace and justice is not so perceptible. Poverty , indeed, is very visible in the area.
Kibangay and earthly paradise, is where I learned three things that truly established in my mind: The apostolic life where I realized the essence of giving almost everything for the less fortunate, the prayer life in which I learned the true meaning of prayer, the tune of the vespers and lauds and lastly the community life where I had an opportunity to meet other and learned to adjust with the smooth atmosphere and unfamiliar environment.
Despite all these, this remote locality that for once I thought was peaceful, has its own hidden face of violence. On that very night, two religious people were beheaded inmotivatedly on a nearby sitio. Unlike in the cities, the law enforcers or the police could hardly reach this inaccessible area. sad to say, but the criminal is still roaming around in the vicinity,in short the criminal is still at large.. News spread in the next morning and we didn't do anything but to pray for our safety.
The morning of Nov.1 was the start of my immersion. Sr. Irene Cecille, RA assigned me to a foster father whom I used to call "Manong Dodong" ,uncle Dodong a simple widowed resident. Thoroughly we went to the cemetery to visit his wife. The long tour of the bushes led us to a simple, indigenous cemetery.
After saying short prayers, Manong Dodong then led me to their small chapel made of a bamboo and wood. Since then I recognized the great faith of this man with Christ. Shortly , we were about to go to his house, and when I asked him where it is located, he humbly pointed out a very small, distant "kubo" or hut on the way.
Arriving , I've seen that the house is composed of a room. In it is a bedroom, a small kitchen and a table and no toilet. He said they are four who live here. Deeply surprised, I can now see how ordinary his life is.
Curious, I asked him of why he didn't tried to concretized his house. He just plainly replied that he was once helped by the Religious of the Assumption Sisters, who gave him concrete materials but, he decided to donate those materials to the chapel because it needs more construction. These words struck my heart and it made me recognize an image of a man dedicated to service for God and his fellowmen.
I almost finished my immersion. After thanking Manong Dodong, I was back at the convent , resting , although my mind is still awake. I taught my heart of something true. That, "doing service is never easy. You have to give your heart for others unselfishly and willingly. For a man of service like Manong Dodong , God would surely reward him for his kindness in heaven.
Each moment I've shared with different people was totally enriching. Through it., I've known that we are born with a mission and that is, to be instruments of peace and mercy towards other people. and above all the most important things that I could bring whenever I will go are the values that I have discovered in this unforgettable journey of my life.
Kibangay is truly a good reflection of our society- poverty stricken. Ultimately, the ones who could visit the place will surely have a deeper outlook in life as what I have gone through. This experience changed a part of me and it made me realize the truth of our world today and the challenge that we must take to live without chaos, injustice, and crises but with peace, justice and harmony.
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