Remembering my vocational journey makes me ponder God’s infinite grace. As a child from a big family of ten siblings, I saw how my parents, particularly my father, worked hard as a farmer and a calesa driver, a local means of transportation in the Philippines, just to meet our daily needs.
For some, it might be a surprise that I was a street vendor (selling corn and bananas around our village), a tri-wheeler bike driver, and a food server in a canteen just to have extra money for my studies. Simplicity and contentment have been the vital principles in life that I learned from my family, who always nurtured me to be grateful.
Despite our family’s financial situation, I am grateful to the Lord for giving me the chance to be an altar server and youth coordinator of our parish and to be involved in various religious and social action activities in our province that nurtured my missionary vocation.
I could say that uncertainties and doubts along the way of my vocation journey made me realize more the abundance of the grace of God, molding me to be a Comboni missionary. My years at the University of the Philippines, my work experiences, particularly in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, my exposure to the Indigenous People in my province, and my involvement in our parish have guided me toward the path of my missionary vocation.
At first, I felt that my family had reservations about my decision, which they expressed in a simple question like, “Are you sure that the Comboni Missionaries are Catholics?” I could not blame them; just looking at the picture of St. Daniel Comboni, one can conclude otherwise.
PERSONAL PLAN
Indeed, my personal plan to be socially and economically successful was not according to God’s plan. The Lord has called me to be a simple and humble servant in his vineyard- to be a Comboni. In 1999, I started my discernment journey with the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. After a year, I joined the Postulancy formative program of the St. Daniel Comboni Seminary.
The guidance of our formators, weekly apostolate, and pastoral exposures with the Aetas in Pampanga have molded me to see things differently in my missionary calling, which is to go beyond borders.
After two years in the Postulancy, I was admitted to the Novitiate. This stage helped me to have a closer relationship with the Lord and to dedicate myself to the mission through the evangelical counsels.
As a newly professed scholastic, I was sent to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to continue my formation and theological studies. It was during this time of my formation that I appreciated the internationality and interculturality of our Institute more.
Theological studies combined with practical ways of living my missionary vocation in an international setting made me appreciate the radicality of God’s call to me more. Living my own culture and appreciating the giftedness of other cultures has enhanced my understanding and embrace of community life.
ORDAINED FOR THE MISSION
On February 6, 2010, I was ordained a Comboni priest in our parish in Pampanga and assigned as an assistant formator at St. Daniel Comboni Seminary. After five years, I asked our superiors to assign me outside the Philippines so that I could gain experience in a pastoral setting. In 2015, I was sent to Central America, particularly Guatemala.
This significant moment has nurtured my missionary life, for having the chance to meet and live with great Comboni Missionaries like the late Fr. Santiago Piccinelli, Fr. Orlando Borghi and Fr. Jose Moschetta to name some.
The wisdom and experiences of the numerous Comboni Missionaries like them continuously inspire me to see the goodness of God in the midst of uncertainties and difficulties. They made me realize not to give up but to give in to God’s plan. My short missionary ministry in the parish of San Luis, Peten, Guatemala, made me value the richness and diversity of each culture.
As Rector and Formator of our seminary, I am blessed to minister and accompany young men who desire to follow the Lord in the charism of St. Daniel Comboni. In God’s grace, I pray constantly to remember that every vocation story is a gift, and the underlying truth to all vocation stories is that they should lead us to a relationship with God.
My ‘yes’ to God’s call to religious/ missionary life has been such a blessing for 15 years and counting. I have been able to use my gifts to serve in various ministries and have met wonderful people along the way. I am so grateful for the gift of my missionary vocation and ask the Lord to always make me a bearer of hope, mercy, and compassion to all.
