Seminarian Aian

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake – for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17)

Every ordinary person dreams a descent life. God calls us in different vocations. Some are called to be doctors, engineers, politicians, businessmen, and teachers. But for me, I believe that God calls me to be a priest. Whatever is the calling, as long as we are happy about it, then we are on the right track.

Before I entered the seminary I have been a parish youth coordinator of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, Diocese of Ipil for almost five years. Along these years, I have served as a Pangulo sa Liturhiya (PSL) in our chapel, and sometimes in our neighbouring chapels. I was also part of the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC), which facilitates formation training such as Junior Cursillo Seminar (JCS), Youth Encounter Seminar (YES) and Prayer Encounter to parishes within our diocese.

I really feel blessed to serve the Church through these ministries, until a trial came to our family which shook my faith. It was when my mother faced a dangerous situation as she laboured for our younger twin sisters. For the doctor, it was impossible to save both my mother’s life and the babies. That’s when my father was asked to choose who was going to be saved between them. It was an occasion that compelled us to pray. Prayer was the last resort that we took such as the Holy rosary. I sincerely asked God to save both of them. I have even bargained that I would offer my whole self to Him if my mother and my twin sisters’ lives would be saved. I could go beyond what I have been doing in the Diocese in order to serve Him. All these I would do for my loved ones.

In less than an hour, the doctor approached my father to deliver a good news. My twin sisters were saved, and my mother as well, however she fell into a comatose. Nevertheless, she recovered miraculously from that tragedy.

Because of that incident, I felt that God is merciful and compassionate. In fact, these graces brought me in the seminary.

I really had the desire to become a priest when I was in high school but my parents did not want to. I took the entrance examination, and passed it. Afterwards, I went for an interview by our bishop without my parents knowing it. I joined retreats in order to discern more about the choice I have. I also prayed every day that would permit me to enter in the seminary. God heard my prayer, and a miracle happened again. A day before my acceptance to the seminary, my mother approached me and with tears, she gave her permission. I have reached this far because of those experiences.

The trials that I have encountered taught me that they are not hindrances, but rather sources of my strength to persevere. That is why, I am doing my best in the formation by living a simple life. I join our community devotional prayers, aside from my personal prayer. I really live up to the name of our batch which is Stewards.

And in order to become a good steward, I maintain a good relationship with my formators, spiritual director, community, and the whole of God’s creation. I am not doing this for myself but for the greater glory of God.

I believe that what I am living now in my seminary life is what I want to live in my future ministry with the help of Jesus and Mary.

Prayer is a very powerful weapon. I am asking all of you to pray for all seminarians, as we pray for all of you and your families. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

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Dear Sem. Aian,

Your story clearly points out your journey through life leading to where you are now and without doubt, God had been there accompanying you all the way. Everything had been orchestrated, how He had formed you at a young age, having served Him starting from your humble chapel, to the neighbouring ones as well. Those exposures in various capacities have prepared you for the future ministry that God has planned for you. Many vocations take off from these beginnings.

Indeed for those serving the Lord, faith in Him, in one way or another, is tested by fire and yours is of no exemption. There are moments where we experience dilemma like the one your family had gone through. There’s no one you can run to except to the Author of life and to our Blessed Mother Mary.

Prayer, the only recourse, is a very powerful armament to obtain His mercy that our supplications may be granted according to His will. At times, owing to our human frailties, we strike a bargain with God, promising to serve Him more or offer our whole life in His service. Miracles happen. Things fall into place, your prayers are granted. Now He takes your bargaining words for it and He takes it seriously too. With your faith much more deepened and strengthened, the call to serve Him becomes more and more loud and clear. Responding to this call is both a gift and a special mission.

Your journey towards priesthood will be laden with more joys and pains, more trials and challenges, but you will be consoled and sustained by God’s blessings in many ways and forms. Let all these become stepping stones to your purification that you may be worthy to be His instrument to spread His love to those people whose lives you will touch along the way. You will always have this assurance that He will never abandon you. As He takes care of you and guide you through your formators, spiritual directors, authorities, co-seminarians, etc., always nourish yourself with prayer, humility and obedience to His will. Surely, on the other hand, He will likewise take care of your family and loved ones as you go about doing His work.

Yes, we will accompany you and all other seminarians with our prayers and sacrifices that you may obtain and sustain a holy life nurtured by intimacy with God and Mama Mary. God bless you more and may you continue to glorify God with your life through your chosen vocation. – DJ Cheng and Ate Emily Madrona

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