People say that
the seminary is a place of fright because of its many trees. Ever since its
foundation, the seminary has been a tree-sanctuary – especially of those sturdy
Narra trees. At first look, these trees only seem to provide enough shade and
fresh air for the seminary’s tenants. But upon second reflection, these trees
mean more than shade.
The Narra is a
significant symbol of success in the seminary. For us, seminarians, the falling
of the yellow Narra flowers symbolize the near end of another formation year.
With this in mind, we become more sentimental as we also realize that our days
with the graduating batches are numbered. As more and more yellow blossoms start
to fall, our days spent with them become less and less.
During the month
of June – a month which marks the beginning of another formation year – the
Narra can be seen as a symbol of hope with its leaves in shimmering green. However,
as the months go by, these green leaves turn dry into dull brown. From
appearance alone, the Narra, with the shades gone, seems to be dead. However, for us, seminarians, this is a time
of expectations – a waiting for the advent of the recapturing of the beauty of
the Narra, a waiting for the yellow blossoms to start to bloom and eventually fall,
a waiting for the end of yet another year.
In the month of
March, the pathway sheltered by the Narra trees is filled with brilliant yellow
flowers. As one walks through the flower-filled path, the incredibly good scent
of the flowers never fails to fill one’s olfactory desires.
Whenever I see
these tiny flowers, I reminisce the many years that I have spent in the
seminary. It feels as if every flower is a symbol of my success in the
seminary. Even when every formation year presents a bombardment of schedules,
activities, academic and extracurricular requirements, every effort exerted is
still worth it. Every seminarian would feel happy and proud after having
conquered all the hardships, hurdles and hassles throughout the year.
These trees have
become instruments of God, telling us how great we are and what a great job we
have done. These trees are manifestations of God’s promise that He will never
abandon us. God tells us that, like those Narra trees, we may, for a time, dry
up but, eventually, by His grace, we will all be producing beautiful and
fragrant flowers.
Congratulations,
graduates!
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