I am Marlon S. Navaroza from Caloocan City. My parents are Eufemia S. Navaroza and Celerino B. Navaroza. I also have three brothers: Michael, Mark, and Marven, and a sister, Mercylyn. Our Family is very active in the parish of Saint Francis Xavier. We actively participate in our parish because our parents act as our guides and role models. My Mother is an active member of the Divine Mercy Propagators, of the Basic Ecclesial Community and is also an Usherette. My Father is a Coordinator of the PREX (Parish Renewal Experience), a Coordinator of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Lay Minister), an Active member of the Divine Mercy Propagators, and a member of the Basic Ecclesial Community. I am very grateful to my parents: because of their example and dedication, I feel that Jesus is very present in my life. They prepare our meals, provide our school needs and teach us how to pray. But more importantly, I admire them because, through their life, I see Jesus. My older brothers, Kuya Michael and Kuya Mark, are Altar Servers, while my younger brother, Marven, is an organist in church and my sister, Mercylyn, is a choir member and Youth Coordinator in our chapel (St. Guido Maria Conforti Chapel). My ministry in the parish is really focused on playing the guitar during the Holy Mass. In addition, I am closely related and involved and helped by the Xaverian Missionaries, who show me how to follow Jesus' way.
I first experienced my vocation when I was a 3rd-year college student and was taking the Bachelor of Arts inSecondary Education Major in Filipino at Bestlink College of the Philippines. While attending classes during that time, I really felt that that course was not for me, and I was not happy. I had the courage to talk to my mother regarding my situation, and I said to her, “Ma, I am not happy with my college, and I want to change. Forgive me, I really want you to know that I wish to become a priest.” After saying that, I cried and hugged my mother, and she said, “If that is what your heart feels, tomorrow your father will take you to speak with Fr. Eugene and ask him how to apply to become a priest.” When my father introduced me to Fr. Eugene, he advised me to finish my studies first. At that time, I felt sad and heartbroken when we went home, but I knew what my heart truly desired.
So firstly, I finished my degree, but I did not start any work because I did not want to teach in a school. For three years, I devoted my time and talents to the parish. At that time, I was a guitarist of Himig Pag-ibig Choir: this group of singers was really committed to attending, serving, and singing at Mass. Though there were times that we had to attend two or more services on a particular Sunday, I would not complain because I loved to be with them and to animate the Mass. I felt that if there were no music during the Mass, the Mass would become dull. Whenever I was waiting in the Parish hall for our practice, I would see this quotation from St. Guido Maria Conforti, “The love of Christ Impels us.” And I felt something touching my heart and questioned myself: what is the connection of these words to my life? What is this love of Christ? It kept coming to my mind, wherever I was in school, in church, at our home, and wherever I was going.
Through music and my brother, Marven, I became a member of the choir and a devotee of Sto. Niño de Maligaya. Through my brother, Marven, I met Sister Len Cermeño: he later became her adopted son. I was really inspired by these communities, especially by Sister Len, because of her obedience, courage, humility, service, and love for all the Xaverian Missionaries here in the Philippines. So, at this time, I was serving two communities: our parish, Saint Francis Xavier's, and Sto. Niño de Maligaya Shrine. During This time, I had the privilege to talk, see, compare and analyze how the Xaverian Missionaries love and serve both of these communities. I really admired them because of their humility, obedience, and their courage to follow Christ and leave their own countries, families, friends, traditions, and culture for the sake of Jesus Christ.
After three years of service, I reduced the time dedicated to our parish and Sto. Niño de Maligaya Community, because I decided to take and focus on the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). Every time I reviewed, I asked the Lord for guidance on the day I would take the LET. I offered it to him, whatever the result would be, by saying, “Your will be done.” When the result came out, my sister told me that I had passed the licensure. The first thing I did, was to go to
the Sto Niño de Maligaya Chapel to pray and thank the Lord.
After that, I began looking for a job, and to my surprise, my friend told me they needed a teacher in their school. So I applied and was accepted immediately, thanks to the parish priest of St. Antonio de Padua Parish and the School Director of St. Antonio de Padua Catholic School of Batasan Inc. Rev. Fr. Rodrigo O. Vazquez, who used to be the Parish Priest of Saint Francis Xavier Parish. I was accepted immediately because Fr. Roro knew well my family. I was given two jobs: full-time parish Assistant Secretary and a part-time teacher of Christian Living Education and Filipino Teacher for Grades 1-12 learners, and as an Assistant Campus Minister. I enjoyed my work, especially teaching the choir, preparing the readers for the Holy Mass, training the Altar Servers, and playing instruments during the Mass. In those two years working there, I felt something deep inside me that needed to be expressed and addressed. So I began looking for another job that really fulfilled my heart’s desires.
I have a friend in the Sto. Niño de Maligaya Community, Ate Kathy, who is working in Sun Life as a financial advisor. She invited me to become a Financial Advisor. She said: “just try, I will help you,” and she really supported me and guided me. After sitting three exams, I became a Licensed Financial Advisor at Sun Life. Now I have two jobs, a teacher and a financial advisor. I enjoyed both of these jobs, but after reflecting, analyzing, and contemplating, these jobs did not really fulfill my passion and did not fill the emptiness of my heart. Even though I was earning enough money as a teacher and a Financial Advisor, I felt like I was empty and lost.
On June 30, 2022, I decided to resign both from the parish and from the school. And then, I questioned myself about what to do with my life and what is my real passion. Is it to become a Full-Time Financial Advisor in Sun Life or go to apply to become a Public Teacher? But in any case, I did not choose any one of them. Rather I talked to Fr. Simone, which is the Parish Priest of Saint Francis Xavier Parish. I shared with him my desire to become a priest. After talking to Fr. Simone, I also shared my story with Fr. Matteo, the Rector of Xaverian Missionaries (Theology Community), concerning my desire to become a priest. Both of them said that I should go to Fr. Patrick Santiañez because he is in charge of the formation. When I went to Fr. Patrick to share my story, he accepted me and said that I needed to process the requirements immediately because the closing time was approaching. In one week, I finished and submitted all the requirements. Fr. Patrick said, “Okay, very good. Be ready. Tomorrow, you will need to stay here”. And I was shocked because I was not ready to leave so suddenly all the responsibilities that I had. First, I had to attend the 42nd Anniversary of Sto. Niño de Maligaya and then leave all the responsibilities that I have there. I was a member of the choir, and a teacher in the Sto. Nino de Maligaya Catechism Class, and many more. Secondly, I was a newly appointed coordinator of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir in the Parish. Thirdly, I was a new volunteer treasurer of the Sacred Music Ministry in the Parish. Fourthly, I had to resign from Sun Life. Fifthly, I did not know how I could say it to my family. But just like in the gospel, all the disciples of Christ, when they were called by the Lord, they were not ready, but they still decided to leave their family and friends the moment they found their heart’s desire. Just like them, I said, “YES TO THE LORD.”
I am now living and studying Philosophy with the Xaverian Missionaries. My Apostolate here is in the Catechism. Teaching the children the life and the message of Jesus Christ. This new journey helps me to deepenmy relationship with Jesus Christ. Lastly, I have now found the longing of my heart. It has been a long process of searching, but once you find it, you will leave everything for it. It is really true that God’s time is the best.
