redemptorists-cebu

DIVERSIONS AND CONVERSION

Sharing one's vocation story is like peeling an onion. With each retelling, layers of events unfold as one comes closer to the core; each retelling a rediscovery of the call.
My own story started when I was about six. Even then two things struck me: praying and caring. I could recall gathering my cousins who comes to visit from Luzon and we have some reenactment of the mass together. We used whatever was available in the house: Fita biscuits for the bread and Coke for the wine. And because I was so concerned for them, we ended up eating the entire can. This must have made a lasting impression since every time we come together, this was one of the things we talk about. Even then at a young age, I already had that desire. I remember volunteering every weekend to join the madres in the feeding program of the street children in the city. But things don't always turn out the way you plan them. Often, God has his own way of leading you on through life.
I would have entered the seminary during high school with my buddies if not for my mother who would cry even with the thought of it. And so my friends joined the seminary in Don Bosco while I took a different path instead. I studied in a coed school; did fairly well; succeeded in my own way while struggling with the insecurities of adolescence.
After four years, I came at another crossroad: what career should I take. Again, the invitation to enter college seminary was there. I even invited my close friends to join the search-in. After which I decided to tell my parents. This time I went to my father. After a long talk with the family, it was decided to give myself sometime to think about it. And soon, all my close friends were headed for Bacolod to join the CICM while I was left in Cebu.
Having no desire to go to college other than the seminary, I intended to take up BS Physics. But again, another diversion took place, The Registrar, God bless his soul, mistook my course preference and instead enrolled me as a Biology major. I didn't care much so I took up Bio instead. Going through it, I did fairly well, achieved many things in my studies and other things as a young man. It was a great time involving myself in environmental issues when this was just starting in the country. I became a Red Cross volunteer spending time with victims of catastrophes. I also became active in the Parish ministry while regularly hanging out with friends and go partying.
At this point, there was a growing expectation for me to take up Medicine. To make the story short, I took up Medicine. Although I never really liked it, I did fairly well, achieved many things, but always deep within was a restless heart. A heart that was longing to know Jesus, the one person who kept me fascinated, inspired and loved. And it went on like that until I became a medical intern. Once I had a patient, he was a young boy of about six. Unexpectedly, he died and this triggered a surge of question within me. After weeks of prayer, I made the decision: quit internship and take up that path I left long ago. It was a moment of conversion.
Many were against it: friends, professors, consultants. But I made the choice with peace within me. Deciding for myself was one thing. To tell my parents who spent so much for my education, was another. Yet, theirs were words of encouragement and support. "Kung asa ka malipay, suportahan ka namo". Exactly like that in the TV ad.
The path I took led me to the Redemptorists. The many years of formation itself was a whole new experience of diversions and conversion. A few times moving away from Jesus and often coming closer and closer to him. Yet through the years, I came to know Him as the one person I have longed sought for and making the decision to follow him even in the difficult path. Life was never the same again: the missions, the poor, ministry, the community, confreres, friends, family, prayer, all of these means so much for someone who has gone through divergent paths.
Today, I have started on another road. After ordination, I am back to where I was before: in the hospital as an intern. The plan that is projected ahead is for me to take up a specialization for ministry that will help bring people closer to God. But as I have learned, things may not always turn out the way I plan them. Ultimately, it is what God sees best that I follow. On my part, to have that sense of faith and trust in Him and to grow in love and compassion for those whom I am sent.