PACEM MAIN

HISTORY

PACEM INTERNATIONAL as an idea was conceived in the mind and heart of its founder, Fr. Leonardo Polinar, since 1983. But for so long it had been pushed and pushed aside as "too high" an undertaking for a simple priest like him. The idea became a reality only after five years. PACEM INTERNATIONAL was born in March 27, 1988. The day was Palm Sunday - Christ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

PACEM's birth was triggered by the founder's desire to get some fellow priest workers to help him in the apostolate. At that point he felt that the work he was doing was getting too heavy and too wide for just one man. Thus, he went to his bishop and requested for two priests. But his bishop could not afford to release even one. He went to another bishop of a neighbor diocese and begged for just one priest. Again he received a negative reply. There were not even enough priests to run the parishes of the diocese, he was told.

In frustration he went back to his bishop and said to him: "Since you cannot afford to release priest to work with me, may I just produce priest. But on the condition that you will not take them. They will work with me full time!" Providentially, his bishop's response was: "Go ahead you have my permission and authorization!"

His bishop's positive answer came to him like a thunderbolt which jolted him into action. He began to pray about it and discuss it with people working with him.

Thus, PACEM INTERNATIONAL was born.

NATURE

PACEM is a society of apostolic life whose priests live together, in committed love, helping each other in all their needs, spiritual, material, emotional, intellectual, etc. They support each other in all their apostolate and other activities that are approved by the duly established ecclesiastical authorities of the community for the expansion of God's kingdom, the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

While PACEM is a clerical community, it also counts as cooperators lay people who, having been formed, are living the PACEM way of life, and dedicate themselves to the apostolic work of the society by agreement on both sides.

PACEM INTERNATIONAL is a community of people who have decided to become servants of the Lord as priests or as lay people promoting the PEACE OF CHRIST throughout the world, the PACEM way. They must first live "PACEM" among themselves. Then they can go out and promote it in other people. PACEM INTERNATIONAL believes in the axiom: "YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE" and "BIG THINGS USUALLY COME FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS."

Literally, PACEM is a Latin word which means PEACE. Indeed PEACE is the expected end result of PACEM INTERNATIONAL's work. PEACE is the Lord's first greeting to his apostles on resurrection Sunday (John 20:19-21). It is also his farewell and gift to them on his ascension into heaven (John 14:27).

For our purposes, however the word "PACEM" is an acronym which stands for:

P - Pastoral

A - Assistance and

C - Community

E - Education

M - Mission

The word PACEM therefore spells out the kind of services the community provides, namely: Community Education and Pastoral Assistance. The word "International" reveals the ambitious range of area that it intends to reach out thru and with the Lord Jesus Christ - the whole world!

MISSION

The priest of PACEM share in the life of Christ (Philippians 1:21) and his church by living the evangelical counsels of consecrated celibacy, obedience, and poverty, and by building Christian communities of committed members of the Catholic Church.

CHARISM

Our charism is a deep love of God in reciprocation to the gift of infinite love calling us to live in the Spirit who reveals His presence in each one of us with a gift (1 Corinthians 12:7) and to share the Good News of Salvation to all (Matthew 28:18-20) that they may be drawn to such way of life.

SPIRITUALITY

The foundation of PACEM spirituality is the member's personal relationship of love with God and with fellowmen, especially with fellow members of the community, as we strive to recognize Jesus in every person.

PACEM spirituality is further nourished by our devotion to Mary, our model in prayer and work, in disposing ourselves to the will of God and in simplicity of life-style.

FORMATION PROGRAM

1. Canonical Novitiate (2 years)
The goal for the first year of formation is purgation. The aspirant is expected to purge himself of all wordly values, practices and relationships.(Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:5-6)
The second year of formation aims to build up the novices into the image and likeness of Christ, in His character and charism. This is a construction work.

2. Philosophical Studies (1 year)
After the novitiate, the seminarians study philosophy as a preparation for theology.

3. Theological Studies (4 years)
The aims are the deepening of their faith, commitment and the development of their knowledge and skills needed to accomplish the mission and objectives of the community.

PROCESS

1. Word of God - They are instructed to read the word of God daily and discover the way of life, Christ, the main formator, wants them to follow.

2. Priest-Formator shows to them the PACEM standard of life by giving teachings.

3. Pastoral Cell - To help them attain the goal of formation they are organized into cell groups.

4. Formation Guide - This is the daily examination of conscience they have to do to be moulded into the kind of persons the community would like them to be.

5. Shepherding - Is the activity of the cell members where one member takes a personal responsibility to follow up another member of the cell who is considered as his sheep. The main basis of shepherding is the formation guide.

6. Evaluation - The purpose is to find out whether they are progressing or not.

QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

a) College Graduate

b) Involved in the Charismatic Renewal or at least open to it.

c) Physically and mentally fit. Thus, doctor's certificate is required for acceptance.

d) Willing to give himself fully to the service of God and fellowmen.

e) Possessing the necessary qualities needed for the kind of service he is expected to render as a priest in the future.

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