Franciscan Values through the Years
By Pio Jeancarlo Trinidad-Villarmente


I see before me today the faces of hundreds of Franciscans, their parents, families and friends. It has dawned upon me that the Franciscan family has increased in number all throughout the years. As we celebrated the Transitus, it makes me realize that indeed, we are one big and happy family.
I’ve been a Franciscan for almost four years now and so far, it has been the greatest, most memorable four years of my life. Now that it is almost time for me and my fellow seniors to step back and watch as other younger Franciscans have the same experiences we had, I can’t help but reminisce the memories and values I had learned at St Francis College. Allow me to take you to my past that to me, seems just like yesterday.
When I was a freshman, it was the time when I thought I learned how to pray. At first, I thought prayer meant being quiet, keeping my hands together, and closing my eyes and ask the Lord for what I wanted, and for the things I didn’t have. Once I was done asking, all that was left to do was to make the sign of the cross. Simple prayer, right?
A year later, when I was a sophomore, I joined a Franciscan club called the St Francis Youth Club or the SFYC. This club sought to help the poor and the needy. We contributed a peso per day for the sake of our least brothers and sisters.
On one particular Saturday, we went to a poor community to give food and clothes. Along the ways, we saw children wearing old clothes who walked without slippers. With one look, I wondered sadly if they managed to eat three times a day. In an instant, like St Francis, I felt a great longing to serve. It was then when I really learned the true meaning of prayer. It meant to thank God for never forsaking us in trials and distress even in times of sin. It was the time when I learned that prayer meant asking God not only for my own but for other people’s needs as well. Oh yes, prayer meant asking God for guidance and providence not only for our own but for others as well.
When I was in third year, it was the first time I joined the Transitus. I learned well the value of brotherly cooperation and discipline. One unnecessary move could ruin the whole presentation. And so in silence and reverence to St Francis, I played the role of Brother Illuminato. The re-enactment of St Francis’ youth, the pre-Transitus, and his death the Transitus taught me a great lesson. To appreciate and develop my God-given talents so that I could share them with everyone.

Now, I’m a senior. Some of my classmates are happy for being fourth years while some are not. Probably because it’s the last year we could spend time with each other. Some even cried at the thought of college. Don’t get me wrong, but the fourth year batch 2009-2010 could, despit our age, really get sentimental.
St Francis College teaches us that distance is never an obstacle for a great friendship. Because near or far from each other, we are bound to one indestructible relationship. We are and always will be Franciscans, and no matter what the challenge is, nobody can take that away from us.
Thank you St Francis College for being a big part of our lives, and for teaching us great values we will never forget.
Thank you and good evening.