Fr. Junar Dela Victoria on his 25th year in priesthood

Rev. Fr. Jose Junar dela Victoria joyfully celebrated his 25th priestly anniversary, through a Holy Mass, at St. Francis of Assissi Parish, La Verna, last April 14.

“Malipayon kaayo tungod kay pag-abot ni aning mga tuiga tungod ra gyud sa kalooy sa Ginoo,” said Fr. dela Victoria during an interview.

Ma. Aurora dela Victoria, his mother, said that she is very glad that his son is now 25 years old in the priesthood.

“Feel ko talaga ron, dili nako makuan akong kalipay bitaw nga nakaabot siya karon ug 25th year, silver anniversary, sa iyang pagka-pari.”

She’s even happy that many people have attended the mass and supported his priesthood.

Fr. dela Victoria recalled that it was Msgr. Leonardo “Nards” Vicente whom he considered as an inspiration in becoming a priest.

He narrated that it started when he was still in grade three. He was riding a bicycle that time in front of St. Jude. He then saw a priest who was very kind and was sitting in the stairs and called him. He was asked what he wants to become when he grow up and answered that he wanted to become a priest.

“His kindness guided me in my priesthood,” he said.

Then his vocation slowly showed up. He entered to seminary until he became a priest until today.

According to him he is happy that this vocation is meant for him and his experience in those 25 years would prove his perseverance and God’s faithfulness.