Interview

Name: Adrales, Joseph L.

Date: January 31, 2019

Who are you? (Describe yourself)

I am 19 years old freshman Human Resource student at the University of
Caloocan City. I am the eldest among my four siblings. While studying, I also keep
myself on service in our parish. Eventhough I have many duties to perform, I still
find time to engage myself in different sports.
What seminary are you from? How many years have you stayed in the seminary?
I was a former minor seminarian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary
where I finished my six years secondary education.
Can you narrate what happened:
present
How are you now?
I am still on adjustment but I am enjoying my life outside.
How do you see God as of the moment?
I see God as my coach because I have my own plan, which is
staying in th seminary, but He sets a better play for me to learn out
from it so that I'll become a better player.
Past I
How were you in the seminary?
I performed well, not just in academics but in all aspects of
formation, because I really gave my entire self to God and to my
community.
Past II
What happened next?
It seems that God has his own plan for me, that is to go out of the
seminary formation for four years even it is not my will, I must follow it.
How was your process of going out of the seminary?
It was really hard for me because I did not expect it and I was afraid
on what will happen to me outside.
What are the factors that make you leave the seminary?
I was sent out of the seminary formation for four years to take my a
college outside and also to increase my masculinity.
What are your feelings that moment?
 I felt dissappointed because I know I did my best but still I was sent
out.
(What are) how did you see yourself that moment?
I see myself very disheartened because I really wanted to stay.
What are your thoughts that moment?
If I will become a formator someday, I will not let my seminarians
to be disheartened.
What happened next after you leave the seminary?
I did not keep myself disappointed, I immediately find an
available university where I can continue my study.
What are your insights/reflections after you leave the seminary?
Eventhough I am one of the best seminarian, I am not perfect. I still
have imperfections which I have to fix.
How did you see God in that moment, when you are in the process of going
out?
I see God comforting me and make me realize that my life goes
on and it's up to me how will I face His challenges; and I know that even i
was sent out of the seminary, God will never sent me out of being His son.
In your experience of leaving the seminary, what are those that helped or not
helped you?
My family, formators, and co-seminarians in our Diocese helped me out on
my experience of leaving the seminary.
In your experience of leaving the seminary, in what way can the formators,
priests, and seminarians offer the seminarians that left the seminary?
For the formators, I suggest that they continue to give spiritual direction
and moral guidance so that they can also monitor the growth of the seminarians
that left the seminary and also they must also give a chance for the seminarians
to offer accompaniment to the seminarians that left the seminary.
What are your last words/advise for seminarians who are planning to leave the
seminary?
Priesthood is not your life; it is a gift from God. You must listen to your
heart in discerning; and follow what it really owes you to do.