“Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” (Mt 14:27)

On August 3, 2026, the Sacred Heart Formation House joyfully began a new formation year with the official acceptance of Seminarian Sidned D. Concepcion of Hilongos, Leyte, into the Orientation Year Formation Program of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ). The Eucharistic celebration marked an important milestone in his journey of vocational discernment and his first formal step in living the Dehonian charism.

During the Rite of Acceptance, Fr. Rechie C. Gier, SCJ, Formator of the Orientation Year and Pre-College Program, presented the candidate to the Regional Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Niño Etulle, SCJ, who officially accepted him into the formation program on behalf of the Congregation.

In his homily, Fr. Niño reflected on Jesus’ reassuring words from the Gospel: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” He explained that this message is especially meaningful for those who are beginning a new stage of formation. Like the apostles who became frightened when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, every person experiences moments of fear, uncertainty, discouragement, and doubt. Such experiences are part of every vocation and every human life.

The Regional Superior reminded the community that, even when we pray faithfully and participate regularly in the Eucharist, we may still fail to recognize the Lord’s presence in our lives. Yet Jesus never abandons those who follow Him. He comes to us in every storm, every challenge, and every dark moment. His presence is constant, faithful, and life-giving, even when we cannot immediately perceive it.

Fr. Niño encouraged Seminarian Sidned to place his complete trust in the Lord and to seek not only Jesus’ help but, above all, a deep and personal friendship with Him. As our relationship with Christ grows, fear gradually loses its hold on our hearts. The Lord gives us the courage to face the unknown with confidence, knowing that He always walks beside us and never leaves us alone.

Concluding his homily, Fr. Niño entrusted the new formation year to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and invited everyone to keep the Lord’s promise close to their hearts: “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” These words, he said, should accompany every candidate throughout the journey of formation, inspiring them to persevere in faith, humility, generosity, and hope.

The acceptance of a new candidate is always a moment of thanksgiving for the Congregation, for it is a visible sign that the Lord continues to call young people to follow Him and to serve His Church through the charism and mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

As a Dehonian community, we warmly welcome Seminarian Sidned D. Concepcion and entrust him, together with all our candidates and formators, to the loving care of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May the Lord bless him with perseverance, wisdom, and a generous heart as he continues to discern and faithfully respond to God’s call.