St. John Vianney’s Devotee Ordained Youngest Priest

St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests, both diocesan and religious. Rev. Fr. Raul L. Nieves never expected that his ordination day would fall on his feast day, August 4.

Blessings pour for this young priest as he exclaims, “It’s a great year!”

We all can agree with him for he is another shepherd recently added to tend God’s flock. His ordination took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, Maa, Davao City.

Rev. Fr. Nieves is the youngest member of the Clergy at 31 come August 12. He spent more than ten years in the seminary. That means half of his life is spent in formation to the priesthood.

His journey to the priesthood was not without challenges. There was a time when, because of family crisis (illness and loss), he got distracted and his performance and disposition were affected. As a result, he went out for regency, yet he did not take it as a discouragement but as a challenge.

“God is so good to me,” Fr. Raul gratefully affirms. Indeed, God took care of him and continued to nurture his vocation. He worked as secretary of Msgr. Paul for 1 year. Later he found work at the University of the Immaculate Conception for 2 years as a Campus Minister. It must be like putting into practice what he learned in the seminary. He accompanied students as facilitator in their retreats and recollections. His assignment gave him the opportunity to discern further his vocation. Their retreats at the Benedictines lured him back to the priesthood.

He returned to the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) in 2013 and things moved forward smoothly since then. It is such a special blessing when he was ordained deacon not long after and then now as a priest.

Fr. Raul acknowledges the significant part his mother plays in his vocation. He describes his mother as religious, who daily participates at Mass. He is inspired by his mother who serves their GKK as cluster leader. As a child, he would tag along when his mother joined the Birhen sa Barangay Rosary. He became an Altar boy when he was in Grade 4. It was difficult to wake up very early to serve at Mass but he said he would still go even when he did not understand. His mother’s influence clearly made a mark on him. He regretted that his father could not be there during his ordination because he is sick.

He is the 2nd child of Mr. Felicisimo and Mrs. Pacita Nieves. He has 3 brothers. He is not the eldest but the apple of the eye of his family, he claims. He describes himself as talkative as a child but is now more silent.

He grew up with good foundation. His parents were supportive of him in his school activities both in curricular and extracurricular activities such as in sports, dance, drum and bugle corps, and as an altar boy. He went to the Maa Elementary School and the Maa National High School. He enjoyed his childhood because he was also allowed to play. The games he played taught him leadership, which he said became a valuable skill especially in the seminary.

When he was in high school, his aunt, a nun, once invited him to take the seminary exam. His response then was “kamo lang, kamo man ang gusto.” He’s been to the St. Francis Xavier Seminary before her invitation on an exposure with the other altar boys. He was awed by the big trees that surrounded the buildings and the silence most of all. He wondered how someone could survive the seeming loneliness of the place. And he was challenged. He entered the Pre-College Seminary right after his High School graduation.

Seminary life was a beautiful experience. He was encouraged to do well in his studies through the assistance of his classmates and their “kantyaw” as well when one fails. His family’s financial situation proved a challenge, but prayer and support of good friends greatly helped.

When asked if he is not a priest now, what would he be? He said that probably he would be a seaman because he wanted to help his family. But later he realized it’s not money that matters in this world.

Fr. Raul cooperated with God’s plan. His ordination to the priesthood is an extraordinary blessing. His ordination theme is “Amore et Serviri” — to love and to serve.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my heart rejoices in God my Savior.” Fr. Raul quoted the first part of the Magnificat to express his gratefulness. Gratefulness, he says, is easy when one always remembers the graciousness of God. He thanked all those who came to his ordination and all those people whom God had sent to help him in one way or another: parents, family, teachers, formators, prayer warriors, people who had been so kind to him even if he did not know them, Abp. Valles, the parish priests who helped train him, and so many others.

This year is indeed great for Fr. Raul. We pray that he will continue to be blessed by God and through him we shall be blessed. (@dcherald with report from SFA SoCcom)