20 Years of Being Drawn to Priestly Life

There’s this idiomatic expression that says, “a man of few words”, but when our interviewee speaks, he is a man of very few words. What I will share with you are the insights and reflections of Rev. Fr. Allan T. Rodriguez, Parish Priest of San Pablo Parish who just celebrated his 20th Sacerdotal Anniversary.

When we were kids, we were often asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Most often, children would mention jobs that offer excitement, fame, or the chance to help people. To say, “I want to be a priest” is among the least heard answers and is an understatement. Looking back, when Fr. Allan was asked that question, he answered just like any other kid, little did he know that one of those jobs he mentioned would come true.

K: What is the toughest part of becoming a priest for 20 years?

Fr. Allan: None in the sense that I am accepting everything. Maybe the image is like when you are in the river, doing river tubing. I would not say, Lord, why are there boulders? But I would just navigate to find my way out.

K: What is the joy of being a Catholic priest?

Fr. Allan: It is the giving of one’s self to something greater or of ultimate value and that’s Him. Bisag kapoy ka wala ka nagpakapoykapoy sa walay hinungdan. According to a survey (Forbes Survey 2011), ang pinakahappy na profession is priesthood. Pagmagsucceed ka, kuntahay naa kay career sa secular world, an example of which is Donald Trump, despite being a billionaire, he still aspired to become the President of a powerful nation. Nag alagad gihapon kay lagi ang tawo nagapangita ug greater or ultimate value. Ang pagkapari man gud is an invitation to give oneself to a greater or ultimate value. We are wired for God, but if we are giving ourselves to things that are not of God, dili jud ta masatisfy kay nakawire man ta sa iyaha. Kung si St. Augustine pa, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

K: How did you know you were called to the priesthood? What stirred your desire to respond to the call to priesthood?

Fr. Allan: I am drawn to priestly life. It’s like the other vocation that there’s an attraction, mine is the life and ministry of a priest. He is drawing me to live this kind of life.

K: I always wonder why are priests called Father?

Fr. Allan: It dates back to the late Middle Ages where friars like the Dominicans and the Franciscans were called “father” or “padre” because of their service to society. As the spiritual leader of the community, they look after their needs, both spiritual and physical just like any other father would do for their children. Until it has become a norm to address priests as “Father”. Personally, I see it as an important responsibility to take on because I should be mindful of the needs of my parishioners. With God’s grace I fulfill my roles as a priest, servant, and shepherd of San Pablo Parish.

After the meaningful conversation with Fr. Allan, in the deep recesses of my mind I also wonder what is the ultimate value of what I do. And if perhaps by chance you read this and you’re discerning your vocation, the poem of Archbishop Couve de Murville might encourage you to make the courageous step: “If you are wondering what to do with your life, if you feel you want to do something really great with it , if you don’t want to fall into a conventional, self-centered existence, if you want to help other people in the deepest way possible, where they most need help, then think about the service of the Gospel in the priesthood.” (Karen V. Sison)