...El Personaje
Suffice it to say, the rest is history. A continuing history amassed of blessings and trials made me realize and appreciate what the Lord has been given me. He has been guiding me all along this spiritual journey.
Postulancy stage was exciting and challenging for me in the sense that I had to shed off my Filipino mentality and attitudes to start building all over again my new identity. I had to immerse myself with the American culture so to speak. University life was equally trying as I had to prove not only to myself but also to the Trinitarian community that I had what it takes to be molded into religious life academically and spiritually. Living in close quarters with fellow seminarians from different nationalities and cultures was an eye opener for me. It was almost insurmountable when homesickness and loneliness hit me as it was like cutting an umbilical cord from my family most especially that my mother’s emotion was so intense to control. However, being with the caring and loving Trinitarian family and co-seminarians my age, I surpassed that phase. Community life during those years has strengthened me emotionally, physically and spiritually.
On the other hand, Novitiate years were formative ones for me in terms of discipline coupled with the added
I, James Mark B. Adame, was born on April 28, 1979 in my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines to a loving parents namely Zenon Seno Adame and Trifina Bayhon Adame. I am the eldest among four siblings. My only brother is named James Paul while my other two younger sisters are Jessel Honey Lyn and Ivy Rose. Coming from a predominantly Catholic Asian country, it never was a question of my family where the children would school but to a private school run by Catholic nuns and priests. I was sent directly to the monastery run by the Benedictines during college. My growing up years was very much influenced by my family’s religiosity and prayer life not to mention that my father was a former seminarian and an uncle was a Benedictine monk. The highlight and nudging event that made so much lasting impact on my personal life to pursue religious life was the visit of Pope John Paul II to my country and being involved in the World Youth Day activities.
I believe in the saying that things happen for a reason. During my college years I met a fellow countryman in the monastery who once visited the Trinitarians in Hyattsville, MD. He regaled me with the Trinitarian’s mission and way of life that piqued my interest. With strong determination compounded with fervent prayers, the events leading to my joining the Trinitarians in Baltimore happened so fast and smoothly. It was only when I had my plane ticket for my US departure did my family know about my dreams of pursuing religious studies abroad which made them happy and shocked as well. Initially, I visited the Trinitarians in Baltimore for a look-and-see if this was indeed my desire to continue higher religious studies.
Bro. James Marc
Adame
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