HELP ME BECOME A PRIEST
My Profile
Name: Marcelino Arcilla Rapayla Jr.
Place of Birth: Ibo Lapu-Lapu City
Age: 36
Address: Ibo Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Contact number: 0917-3620-369
Email add: jomar_cool@yahoo.com; mrapayla@lear.com
Home Parish: Shrine of Our Lady of Rule
Educational Attainment: 2nd year in Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Psychology
Employment: Currently connected in Lear Corporation for 17 years in service
Other Activities: Apostolate (catechism) in youth of “Gasa sa Gugma” (Missionary of Charity) with the guidance of Sister Helen, MC.
Plead for Your Support
I’m planning to leave my current job and continue fulfilling my vocation for priesthood. Since I did not finish my college, the rector of San Carlos Seminary of Archdiocese of Cebu in Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City (Tel. # 032-2328503 / 032-2341514) which is my spiritual adviser at the same time Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes, told me “to finish my college first prior to take up Theology and Philosophy.” I’m not financially capable to support my study, that is why I beseech you, my dear friend(s) and would-be benefactor(s) – to not only adopt me prayerfully and spiritually, thus becoming my spiritual sponsor(s), but if you feel God inspiring you to help me monetarily, then it would be a double-blessing for me and you as well, who would be investing a Heavenly treasure.
My Short Biography
I’m the first son of a simple and pious laborer-farmer, born in Lipata, Ibo Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, on 21ST day of April 1972. My parents are Marcelino Rapayla Sr. and Aurea Arcilla both were not able to finish their grade school.
I was six years old when I started my grade school. I grew up as homebody kid but, I matured quite early because soon I learned to understand the word “poverty.” I stopped my studies and became a scavenger at the age of eleven, helping my mother scavenge some recyclable items (used bond paper, newspapers, plastic, cutting chips of steel and electric wire) from different garbage sources. There are times when we could only have one meal in a day. We could only eat good meat when we I got leftover from the garbage (we just wash it and re-cook). I went back to school after one year absent of my studies and completed my high school in 1989.
Why I Wish to become a Priest?
I guess my first thought of becoming a Priest was when I was in grade school. I didn’t exactly know what priesthood means but I really like and wanted to wear that white uniform. I am a devotee to Sr. Sto. Niño (a child image of Jesus), and I regularly attended mass on Sabbath day. In our sitio (a small community within the barangay), I led all young children in our community bringing with us the statue of Sr. Sto. Niño, and the Virgin Mary to neighboring households for a visit and rosary.
My first inkling that God called me was when I was in my senior high school. One day during our Religion class, we had seminarian visitors who talked about priesthood life. I was really struck by the lyrics of the song “Here I am” which they played. “I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? In that instance I felt a passionate desire to follow him, and be that instrument that will bear His light upon His people.
For me, being person in a religious community is to continue to walk the steps of Jesus on Earth. Becoming a priest is just like Mary’s sister – Martha who chose the right path which is to sit beside the Lord at his feet and listen to Him speak. That is what I want to be, to live life with a purpose, to do something great for God and to answer His call and say, “Here I am, Lord!”
Despite that my parents doesn’t have enough source of income to educate me to college, still I believe that God will make way and even poverty would not be a hindrance. The determination is still alive in my heart waiting for the right time for it to be realized.
After I graduated from high school I was employed at UTAP (United Technologies Automotive Philippines, Inc.) and now known as Lear Automotive (EEDS) Philippines, Inc. Being the eldest of five, I took the responsibility of supporting my family and tried to make both ends meet w/ my small income. I am financially responsible for the studies (elementary & high school) of my brothers and sisters. In addition to providing for their schooling, I also took care of their daily allowance, and school projects. I’m also obliged to provide all of the basic necessities at home.
I only had the chance to pursue my college education in 1994 by attending night school. However during hard times, I am forced to stop my schooling since I have to prioritize the needs of my family. I could only enroll back on the next semester when I already have enough funds.
My deep love of God is a big boost despite all these sacrifices and inspired me to do something with my life that will make a difference. In 1999 I became an active member of the Charismatic community, SCI (Servant Community International) in Virgin De Regla Parish, Lapu‑Lapu City with spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Rudy Ibale, MSC. This membership involves me in various ministerial activities such as visiting the sick, people in prison and all those who need spiritual healing. Aside from that, I also exercise these ministries through designing Internet websites (http://journey.20fr.com) to provide wonderful and uplifting spiritual messages for those who need support. I also send inspirational emails through group mailing lists with approximately 100 persons receiving weekly inspirational and uplifting information. I also posted these weekly updates in my Bulletin Board at work to share this information w/ LEAR colleagues. I spearheaded the composition of a solicitation letter entitled “Tabang Kauban” that was now commonly practiced through out Lear Cebu Operation which asked for prayers and monetary support to help those associates and their loved ones in times of need.
I have been able to compile a collection of experiences from year 1999 to 2003 into a book entitled “Life is a Beautiful Journey” with the purpose of uplifting the hearts and minds of others. The book aims to inspire them and to share their gifts, touch other lives and bring light to those who are in the dark.
Being a search-inner I experienced the community life of the Society of Divine Word, and I had known the charisma of different congregations like Xavierian Missionaries, Piarist Priest, Missionaries of Sacred Heart, Carmelite Priest, PACEM, and Oblates of Virgin Mary. However, since I’m already 36 years old and was not able to finish college, my application to these congregations has never been successful. Last 2003, through recommendation of my email mate priest friends Fr. Richard Perko (Florida) & Fr. Andrew Mulvaney (New York), I was invited by Fr. John Tetlow from the Diocese of St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Florida for an interview with the Diocesan Board and then check the psychological profile but unfortunately I was denied in the US embassy during my appearance.
I felt disappointed considering all the efforts I have done, wherein I gradually lost my prayer life. That is then the time I started going with friends going bar hopping, taking drugs & engaging with relationship in both sexes. I thought I would find happiness with all these things but there is still emptiness inside me. Then I realized that only God could fill in this empty life. Now, I know deep in my heart what my mission is and that is to follow and serve Him which for me to be fully happy. One of my lessons I’ve learned from my past experiences is to be patient because maybe it could be that my time has not come yet.
I believe that every human life has a God-given purpose and I am still waiting for mine. I am willing to sacrifice and be faithful to follow the steps of Jesus in volunteering to serve others as I have served my family. I want my life to be significant and pleasing before God and that is to bear the light of Jesus to the world filled with darkness.
coolm34
Wow, its great to have a friend, who’s very god-fearing. Your in my prayer Mars… Gud luck and God Bless
Thanks Josyl.
Hello Mars, Yeah I know that some congregation will not accept you because you or on your late 30′s and you don’t have a degree yet. Well, what you are going to do now is to finish a degree in college. Since you have been working already in LEAR for a couple of years you are now allowed to have the ETEAP. Some schools in Cebu are offering it. Just ask equivalency program. USJR, UV and UC had it. They are just the one check if you are qualified. Once qualified you will just attend a modular classes like for a year and get your diploma. A lot of LEAR employee too are in the ETEAP program of San Jose. Just inquire. Since you still have a job then think you can still afford to pay for that program. It is a matter of sacrifice only. My cousin finished his ETEAP program last April from USJR and was accepted in the Associate Program of the SVD’s in Christ the King Mission Seminary in E.Rodriguez, Quezon Ciy. So why not try. There are a lot of seminaries that will accept you. Most of the congregation they offer free for all the college graduates. Regards. – br. dondon (School of Theology in Manila)
Sir,
kakaiyak kwento mo.
I will be here to pray for you sir.
Sana makamit nyo yang pangarap.
Thank you, JOnathan.
The commission on higher education (ched) CAN ASSIST YOU IN YOUR COLLEGE DIPLOMA BY ASSIGNING YOU A SCHOOL WHEREIN YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM based on your work experience. go to your local ched office.
There is a seminary in guadalupe makati for late vocations under the archdiocese of manila regards
Adrian hilman1108″yahoo.com
Thank you, Adrian.
Hi Mars, please visit the website of the Brothers of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica. Hundreds of Filipinos are trained there by Father Richard Holung since its beginning and the number is growing. They have a branch in Cebu City- Labangon I think. Please drop by or give them a call to register your desire. It’s the MISSIONARY OF THE POOR.
Salamat, Ray. I am now studying Philosophy in SCSC, Mabolo, Cebu City.
Hi Mars,
Glad to hear about you now. I am now back in Cebu City again. MOP has now a HQ in Talisay at Uldog Street, Pob Talisay with tel (032)5169697 and e-mail: mopcebu@gmail.com. The very Rev Fr Ho Lung will join us tonight (Nov 20, 2011) in Radissunblu for a dinner-for-a-cause tonight at 7PM. All the best for you Mars…
For all your prayers, thank you so much. I’m in Diocesan Seminary now.
My Life Story
As I looked back my life, appreciating the person I am today and the gifts that I have, I reflected and realized that I gave so much thanks for the pleasurable, comforting and rewarding experiences of my life. But I forgot that I owed much of my thanks to something totally different-life’s struggles.
I’m the first son of a simple and pious laborer-farmer, and was born in Lipata, Lapu-Lapu City on the 21st day of April 1972. My parents are Marcelino Rapayla Sr. and Aurea Arcilla. Both of them were not able to finish primary studies. I was six years old when I started grade school. I grew up as a homebody kid but because of being exposed to the hardship in life, I matured quite early and soon I learned to understand the word “poverty”. I believed that survival is the essence of life and because of that; I did something substantial to help my family. I stopped my studies at the age of 11 and became a scavenger. There were times when our family could only have one meal in a day. There was one time when I ate food thrown into the garbage because of hunger. We could only eat good meat when we got leftovers from the garbage. (We washed and re-cooked them). The money that I earned from the scrapped materials I picked up supported my studies until I completed high school. I also lost a love one, my mother, whose death took me a long time to recover. Then, I became the breadwinner and was able to send my four siblings to school. To support them financially and to give them motherly care were my priorities. I also encountered heartache when I got busted by the woman I loved.
I did experience different kinds of job such as; construction laborer, machinist helper, and janitor in a department store. In 1991, I joined United Technologies Automotive Philippines, Inc. which is now known as Lear Corporation. I started as a production operator. In my 18 years of service, I experienced the spectrum of positions and responsibilities namely; resistance welder operator, molding operator, lead in-process operator, engineering aide and process engineer. In addition, I worked during the day and studied during the night. I was able to reach 3rd year in Industrial Psychology. I experienced much struggles but all these were paid off in my job. I was awarded as the “Best Production Operator of the Year in 1993” and not only that, I was also appointed to handle the program management position as Engineering Car Leader.
I am the person who I am today, not because I have always trusted the right people and have made the right decisions, but because I have sometimes screwed up. In 1999, I joined the youth community and became an active member of the charismatic movement in the parish. I, together with the other members of the healing ministry, visited the sick persons in the hospitals. There was one time when we conducted catechism class to the inmates in So-ong Lapu-Lapu City Jail. I tried to inspire and motivate my email mates by sending emails of personal experiences and inspirational short stories. I became a blogger and uploaded articles to my blog entitled “Heal the World.” I also compiled all those articles into a book “Life is a beautiful journey.” My life screwed up when I started to explore my curiosity. I engaged or had relationship before in both sexes and often times I went to disco, bar hopping and experienced one night stands. I let myself be influenced by my friends to take drugs, and to drink alcohol. I had a huge debt in the bank because of these vices. In spite of all the happiness that the world could offer still “my heart was restless until it rested in God.” I found the real joy when I served as volunteer in “Gasa sa Gugma,” Mabolo, Cebu City.
For me, life has a complex mixture of experiences. Apparently, there was a time that I was walking in the park while on the other days it felt like an uphill ran on a rocky road. However, every bit of it helped me to define the person who I am now. Since all of my siblings had their own job and some of them have their own family, I felt free like a bird, to fly in any direction. I quitted my white collar job in Lear Corporation in which I had almost two decades of service and chosen not to work again for I preferred to serve God by pursuing my long-time dream of becoming a priest despite that I’m too old enough. I entered the seminary to deepen my discernment for priesthood vocation, and also studying Philosophy in San Carlos Seminary College.
I feel grateful and thank God for these opportunities that He gave me. My past life’s struggles taught me to be optimistic in life. It built good character and shaped my personality as a mature person. Therefore, our life struggles, and the way we dealt with them, are among the many gifts that shape our lives.
Vocation to the Priesthood: Do Not Be Troubled or Afraid
by Marcelino Rapayla Jr.
When is the last time you are invited with someone to think about serving God as a priest, brother or sister? When is the last time you personally discerned your own call to know, love, and serve God as priest, religious brother or sister? In Word history, the word “vocation” comes from the Latin vocare (verb to call, name); its usage before the sixteenth century, referred firstly to the “call” by God to the individual, or calling of all humankind to salvation, more specifically to the “vocation to the priesthood.”
We celebrate the Vocation Awareness Week this week. If you are single, listen to the voice of Jesus calling you to know, love and serve Him. If your are married with children or grandchildren, gently invite them to pray to Jesus to see if He is calling them to serve as a priest, religious brother or sister. God hasn’t stopped calling his children to serve in these vocations. We all need to take an active part in helping one another hear that beautiful voice that calls us into deeper relationship with God. Based on theological framework of vocation, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II, emphasized for the accomplishment of the plan of salvation, the Father first chose some men to guide the people of Israel. And through Baptism, we become Disciples of Christ. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and we are called to live in Holiness as Universal Call.
In the Gospel of Mark 1:14-20, Jesus proclaims, this is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to drop their fishing nets and fellows Him. Remarkably, they did just that…and their lives were never the same. The response to this vocation of priesthood springs forth from the deep love of Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is the “Anointed One,” perfectly fulfilling through the power of the Holy Spirit the triple role of Prophet, Priest, and Servant-King. Hence, through confirmation, Christian shares more fully in Christ’s prophetic, Kingly and priestly roles. The main effect of confirmation is to strengthen and confirm the grace of Baptism (cf. CCC 1302-3). This means a more intense sharing in the mission of Christ and of the church, empowering the confirmed to be public witnesses of the faith. The mission of Jesus continues to call to him those who want to work with him for accomplishment of His mission.
As seminarian, I urge to all the youth to take the courage. As Pope John Paul II said “Do not be troubled or afraid, the Holy Spirit is with you.” Some people say that I’m stupid person because I quitted my program management position in one of the prestige’s companies in Mactan Export Processing Zone. Indeed, this stupidity is a provident to work the most tough and challenging job in the vineyard of the Lord. I do not want to die wondering, so I responded this call since childhood despite its late vocation. Becoming a priest is just like Martha’s sister, Mary who chose the right path which is to sit beside the Lord at his feet and listen to him speak. Like the great characters in the Old Testament such as Moses, Jeremiah, Abram (Abraham) and Prophet Isaiah who did not hesitate to response in faith to God’s call.
I’ve seen the most important work of a priest. A priest is the one who minister the sacraments for us. It is the priest who makes Christ present every day on the altars of the world. The priest is present at the most important moments of a person’s life; baptism, marriage, sickness, death and bereavement and many other occasions. What if no one will response the call to continue the mission of Christ? What if there is no more priest? What will happen to our soul? What will happen to us? In this celebration of Vocation Awareness Week reminds us to pray for those being called by the Lord that they will have the courage and generosity to answer God’s call. Let us pray for those who are in seminary and religious houses at this time discerning if they have a vocation that the Lord will guide and bless them. Let us pray for priests and religious that the Lord will continue to bless them in their vocations. I encourage you to continue to pray for vocations throughout the year, not just today. Pray that many will say to God like Mary, “Be it done unto me according to your word.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
By Marcelino Rapayla Jr.
Have you ever thought about what motivates you? What gets—and keeps—you going? When we know WHY we do something, we can use that information to accomplish more. Knowing what motivates us will help us achieve our goals, both personal and professional.
I was motivated to work well because of my family as breadwinner. If I give up along my journey, I’ll never see the purpose that lies behind every trial.
“Way back at the age of eleven, believe it or not, I had been a scavenger once. I remember one time that I ate food thrown into the garbage because of hunger. And the money I earned from the scrapped materials I picked up supported me in my studies until I completed high school. I had lost a loved one, my mother, whose death took me a long time to recover. I was a breadwinner and sending my siblings to school, supporting them financially and giving them the motherly care were my priority. I also encountered heartaches when I got busted by the woman I loved.”
Then, if I say, it’s over, I’ll never experience the happiness that another chance gives to those who have the courage to face the challenge.
“I worked during the day and studied at night. To make my story short, I was able to reach my studies in 3rd year of Industrial Psychology. I had experienced much sadness and hardships but all these paid off in my job as Production Operator. I was awarded as Best Production Operator of the Year (2003) and not only that I had been promoted to Engineering aide, then to Process Engineer, and lastly to Engineering Car Leader (program management position).”
I am thankful to God for giving me such attitudes in pursuing despite of hardship and say, I can do it! In His time, I’ll see how good I am in rising above all difficulties with faith in myself, in the LORD and what I can do.
“Now that all of my siblings had their own job and some of them have their own family. I had felt free like a bird, to fly in any direction. I had quit my blue collar job in an American firm in which I had served for 18 years in service and chosen not to work again for but I had preferred to serve God by pursuing my long-time dream in life (since high school) of becoming a priest. Presently, I have studying Philosophy in San Carlos Seminary College in Mabolo, Cebu City.”
In short, you should have a clearer idea of what motivates you. It is never too late to learn to be optimistic; no matter how late you start you are guaranteed of rewards in the future. Focusing on the good things in your life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant will help frame a better attitude and take your mind off of the negatives.
My Vocation Story
I was scheduled for an exit interview last March 2009 in Lear Corporation. The Plant Manager asked me what I planned to do in the future. I answered that I wanted to become a Priest. The manager replied: “Well, if that is your decision, I don’t want to argue with that. In fact, I will support you when the right time comes.” Why I am saying this to you? It is because I am going to share with you my past experiences. How did I persevere in my vocation of becoming a priest? I found three revelations of my priesthood vocation before I entered the seminary. These are attraction, desire and perseverance.
According to the Webster dictionary, “an attraction draws one object towards another one. The term may have specific meanings.” In the context of my priesthood vocation, this was my first inkling of becoming a priest. I was attracted to the “white vestment” of a priest at the age of eight. This attraction made me go to mass every Sunday. I was always on the church that time and thus, was drawn near to the saints specifically to Saint Anthony of Padua. I then realized that my attraction to the vestments results to another attraction to the saints, and this attraction burns a desire of becoming a priest.
The second revelation happened when I was in high school, when some seminarians visited our school during their vocation campaign. I was really struck by the lyrics of the song “Here I Am” which they played. The lyric goes: “I who made the stars at night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?” In that instance I felt a passionate desire to follow Him, and be the instrument that will bear His light upon His people. For me, a person who initially answers His call is the person who continues to walk the steps of Jesus Christ here on earth. Becoming a priest is just like Martha’s sister, Mary who chose the right path which is to sit beside the Lord at his feet and listen to Him speak. That is what I wanted to be, to live life with a purpose, to do something great for God and to answer His call and say, “Here I am, Lord!” Thus, this desire burns more and more that even a strong wind, I believe, couldn’t put it off.
True enough, strong winds from the different corners of the world came. Way back at the age of eleven, believe it or not I had been a scavenger once. I remember one time that I ate food thrown into the garbage because of hunger. And the money I earned from that scrapped materials I picked up supported me in my studies until I completed high school. I had lost a loved one, my mother, whose death took me a long time to recover from. I became the breadwinner and sending my siblings to school, supporting them financially and giving them the motherly care were my priorities. I also encountered heartaches when I got busted by the woman I loved. I worked during the day and studied at night. To make my story short, I was able to reach my studies in 3rd year of Industrial Psychology. I had experienced much sadness and hardships but all these paid off. I got a job as a production operator. I was awarded as Best Production Operator of the Year in 1993. And not only that, I had also been promoted to engineering aide, then to Process Engineer, and lastly to Engineering Car Leader in the program management position.
Now that all of my siblings had their own job and some of them have their own family, I have felt free like a bird, to fly in any direction. I quit my white collar job in Lear Corporation in which I had served for 18 years in service and chosen not to work again for but I had preferred to serve God by pursuing my long-time dream in life despite that I’m already 38 years old (late vocation).
That was the three revelations of my priesthood vocation: attraction, desire, and perseverance. My attraction to the vestments and saints burns my desire to become a priest and this desire helped me persevere. Until now I am still persevering in terms of my academic life in the seminary. It may be hard but I believe that God is there to help me for I know that He is calling me. I believe that every human life has a God-given purpose and I have definitely known my own. In fact, I am so happy and at peace spending my siesta time for meditation in my sacred place (in our oratory). My day is not complete without prayers (in the chapel 5 times a day). God is so good and generous. He used some individuals as instrument to provide my needs in the seminary. The manager who promised to support me is now one of my benefactors. You should be patient; it could be that your time has not come yet. It is a life system that captures God’s wisdom for coping with our most difficult problems. Keeps that burning desire in your heart in flame because God will use not only what is in our head but He will use what is in our heart also.
Seminarian Marcelino A. Rapayla, Jr.
From San Carlos Seminary College, 12th January 2011
Who Would You Be without Life’s Struggles
by Marcelino Rapayla Jr.
As I looked over my life, appreciating the person I am and the gifts that I have, something occurred to me. I don’t give full credit where credit is due. Yes, I give thanks for the pleasurable, comforting and rewarding experiences of my life. But I forget that I owe much of my thanks to something totally different life’s struggles. Within moments, I asked and answered one of my biggest life questions, “Why do we suffer?” I am the person who I am today, not because I had a perfect childhood or the most supportive friends, but because that wasn’t always so. In fact, believed it or not I had been a scavenger once and ate some food threw in the garbage. I am the person who I am today, not because I’ve always trusted the right people and made the right decisions, but because I sometimes screwed up.
Life’s struggles teach life lessons. Most of what I’ve come to appreciate about myself did not develop because life has always been good to me. It’s quite the opposite. Because of my own life’s struggles, I learned to be optimistic in life.
For me, as for everyone, life has been a complex mix of experiences. Some days have been like a walk in the park, while other days felt like an uphill run on a rocky road. But every bit of this has helped to define the person I am.
If you’ve ever wondered why we must endure life’s struggles, consider this: Our struggles, and the way we deal with them, are among the many gifts that shape our lives. If we can find it in our hearts to replace resentment, frustration, and anger with appreciation for life’s struggles, we can heal emotional scars and reach the epitome of self improvement success.
Life’s struggles build character. As Henri Frederic said, “You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.” My brothers and sister, I would like to end this article by with you a story of the cocoon which will explain much enough why life’s struggles are sometimes important.
A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole.
The moth seemed to be stuck and appeared to have stopped making progress. It seemed as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. The man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth; so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But its body was swollen and small, its wings wrinkled and shriveled. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to and able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a small, swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
The man in his kindness and haste did not understand that the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was necessary to force fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight upon achieving its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets, and don’t forget the power in the struggle.
hi marcelino..
you are great and i believe that you are happy now. I will be visiting Cebu soon to arrange some of our candidates to our congregation. I will visit you in your seminary maybe by June. Please extend my regards to your Rector..i know Msgr. Roger very will.
Hope to see you there.
–
john, sscc
Msgr. ROger was on leave. He will continue study in Rome. The new rector is Fr. Nilo Igloria.
Sir John, Have you been in seminary, its already June. Hope to see you. my number is 09233514725.
Why did the us embassy deny you? Where you able to visit the US?
My life has many same desires and hardships of yours this why I feel you loss , pain and desire. I lost my twin sister and raised her children ( because she was a widow) then 3 weeks ago lost my mom whom I take care of the last 5 years. My goal of becoming a priest manifested 3 years ago when I started to get religious dreams every night and stil do!
While I have always been religious I never had the desire to until I received the calling. This is all I think of . I found you blog when I was checking out seminaries in the Philiphines . Sainthood is what everyone should aspire to become. My first spiritual guide is Padre Pio.
Robert, I haven’t visited US. May be God wanted me to stay here and fulfill my priesthood vocation. I am now studying Philosophy in San Carlos Seminary College, Mabolo, Cebu City.