Forming shepherds after Christ’s own heart

He feared the seminary once but God destined him to be there.

Just like any young priest, he was afraid to be assigned in the seminary because he felt that he’s not ready to guide young men in their journey towards priesthood.

Despite that, his trust in the One who called and his obedience to the bishop prevailed that he said ‘yes’ to become a formator in the seminary.

With barely two years experience in the priestly ministry, he took the responsibility to return where he once became part of, to mold young men according to Christ’s own heart.

Msgr. Abel Apigo, Rector of St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) of Mindanao in Catalunan Grande, Davao City said that his 16 years in the priesthood were spent in forming would-be fishers of men.

“I’m very much enjoying life right now. I’m happy in my life in the formation,” said Msgr. Abel during an interview with DCHerald.

“Seminarians are the ones who have a definitive purpose in life and that is to become priests. Listening to their vocation stories has kept my own vocation story alive. These young candidates have their own woundedness. They need accompaniment. They need somebody to help them on their road to healing,” he added, citing the need of the Church to have holy and dedicated priests.

“I know my limitations and I know my weaknesses as well. The constant formation and the grace coming from God made me move on in my priestly journey,” he said even as he also mentioned that his years of experience can not guarantee that he mastered all about seminary work.

What’s more fulfilling for Msgr. Abel is when he sees seminarians ordained to the priesthood.

“Their priesthood is my share to the local church of Davao. I became part of their formation and of their journey to become shepherds in the Church. That makes life sweet. It gives joy and adds color to my priestly ministry,” he added.

Like a masterpiece, his priestly journey was started like that of an artist sketching his work in a canvass. And that artist is no other than God himself.

Msgr. Abel said that God has designed his life to become a priest saying that since childhood, he has developed a special love for the Eucharist during his stint as altar boy of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Calinan, his home parish.

The examples shown by his parents also attracted him to develop the love for priesthood. His acquaintance with Msgr. Edgar Rodriguez also prompted Msgr. Abel to desire to become a priest like Davao’s present diocesan penitentiary.

After studying high school, he entered the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XACOSE) in 1985 and then finished Theology in REMASE by 1993.

His ordination took place on April 18, 1994.

Msgr. Abel describes his priesthood in two parts: the joyful beginnings and the period of maturation.

He said that his joyful beginnings happened after his ordination when he was assigned as parochial vicar of San Pedro Cathedral.

“As a young priest then I was full of enthusiasm and dynamism. My work at the San Pedro Cathedral Parish as a parochial vicar was very challenging. Those were my moments of “first times.” First time to have said mass in a big crowd, first time to hear confessions with a good number of people (parishioners and students), first time to minister to the sick, etc. I was just fortunate that I had good and dedicated companions that inspired me too. The good company of priests lightens the load that one had to face when ministering in a setting like that of the Cathedral,” Msgr. Abel said.

While serving as parochial vicar, he also handled the Davao Archdiocesan Youth Coordinating Apostolate (DAYCA). Though short lived, his ministry as DAYCA director and as parochial vicar is a good start for somebody new in the priesthood.

Msgr. Abel’s period of maturation started when his formal appointment in the seminary came in 1996.

The then co-adjutor Archbishop Fernando Capalla told him that he will become a formator in REMASE.

“I did not pay attention to it because it was not a very appealing news for a young priest who was enjoying much his life in the parish. Then came the appointment — and the rest is now part of the story of my obedience to my Bishop,” he cited.

In REMASE, he became pastoral director for a year then went to Rome to study and earned licentiate in Church History at the Gregorian University in 2000.

He became professor of Church History for a year when he came back and then he was transferred at the Pre-Theology Year (PTY) and became its Coordinator from 2001-2002.

In 2002, he was elected as REMASE Vice Rector and dean of seminarians until 2006. He was then appointed rector from 2006 up to now.

In 2008, he was also appointed as Director-Curator of the Archdiocesan Church Cultural Heritage Commission (ACCHC) a post once handled by the late Fr. Paul Cunanan.

In December 15, 2009, Msgr. Abel was conferred with honorary title of Papal Chaplains and addressed as monsignor along with six other members of the Davao Clergy during a ceremony presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Edward Joseph Adams.

Asked if his 16 years in the priesthood can be called ‘sweet 16,’ Msgr. Abel is quick to say that “Yes, it always sweet! There may be frustrations and difficulties along the way, nonetheless, my whole priestly life still tastes ‘sweet’.”

In the midst of the attacks against the priests and the Church, Msgr. Abel still clings on to his priestly vows every day, adding: “Priesthood is a day to day commitment.”

“I do not need to be superhuman. All I need to do is to serve God faithfully. This I can do with constant prayers and with God’s grace. I will continue to move to another year, hopefully years of priestly service to God!” he said.

“I also pray that in my ministry as formator, I have formed good priests,” Msgr. Abel ended.

This article was first published in DCHerald in 2010.