I am Simon, a Xavierian missionary studying Theology at the Loyola School of Theology. After having finished my second-year studies and discerned with the rector, I am taking the pastoral year in Saint Francis Xavier parish belonging to the Diocese of Novaliches. I have stayed in the parish with two other Xaverian priests for about two months. Even though I had just started knowing and “entering” the pastoral activities for a short time, I felt that this experience was indeed a grace from God. The Lord is telling me many things through events and people.
The primary activities I participate in during weekdays are Journey with God, a regular visit to the sick and the elderly who are not able to go to the church, and Bible Sharing in each area arranged by the parish for better administration. My participation in the “lakbay” (journey) is rather occasional because there are already assigned members to bring the consecrated communion and read the Sunday Gospel; however, joining them to visit people has been a moment of joy and reflection for me. Many times, I am moved by the strong faith and serenity of the patients and the elderly, and I come to know better their living conditions. We always indicate that we need to see Jesus in everyone, especially in the poor and the suffering, and their sick bodies always remind me to be more loving and patient. By visiting the sick, the Lord comes to visit me.
Another activity I do almost every day is Bible sharing. A challenge here is the barrier of language. I have studied Tagalog for some months and can converse with others now, but I still need to improve my Tagalog to understand their message better; that is why I always write down my reflection and correct them beforehand. On the one hand, Bible sharing is a moment of prayer and sharing of inspiration and events connected to the Gospel; on the other hand, it also helped my ability to communicate with others. Some people trustingly disclosed their life to me, and I have listened to many stories, which I consider a grace of God. Because I was helped by people who patiently listened to my life journey, I always believe that hearing one’s history, either joyful or painful, is to participate in one’s journey. It is a privilege to listen to their spiritual sharing.
As I have stopped having theological classes this year, I am concerned with people and all the events I have to participate in and prepare for. Relating all these experiences to my vocational journey, I have an appropriate name for this period: purification. People usually think that purification must be painful, like gold tested in fire. Indeed, purification sometimes is challenging, but I instead focus on the meaning of the word, and I am so happy that my vocation has been “purified.”
It is necessary to study theology to become a priest, but is studying theology in school the only requirement to be a priest? It is a sign to become a religious when someone publicly professes evangelical vows but is it enough to have vows? I am talking about concrete love in daily life. Pastoral life makes me live out that “love” and “knowledge” I learned in school and formation. For instance, I always need to communicate with people, asking for information and even apologizing for interruptions, which demands incredible patience and openness. Reality shows me that being religious is to be able to live with and for others.
When I find peace and joy in encountering people and in my prayer, reflecting on my past experiences and the transformation, I cannot but be grateful to the Lord for his “calling” to me. A consecrated vocation that begins as the Lord’s desire (Mark 3:13) is not what I do or where I live but the total offering of my person: strengths and weaknesses, efforts and failures, etc. The pastoral experience always brings me back to His love and reminds me of God’s universal salvific plan.
