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Vocation Story
Fiat Voluntas Tua A VOCATION STORY Now Samuel did not yet the Lord; the word
What Is It To Be A Diocesan Seminarian?

of the Lord had not yet been revealed to
him. Then the Lord called Samuel a third
BY: SEM. BERNARD BALBERAN BY: SEM. CHRIS WILLIARD CHIU time. So he got up and went to Eli and said,
Since elementary, I desired to become
a priest. Good thing when I reached high “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli then
We often hear of a vocation school, my spiritual director helped me realized that it was the Lord who was
story with an extraordinary to discern and prepare myself. Especially calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go
manifestation of events. However, for the time that I am going to ask my back and lie down. When he calls you, say,
“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
in my case, my vocation story is parish priest for his recommendation. (1 Sam 3:7‘9)
Sadly, after asking in three consecutive
simply like an ordinary person’s years, he did not allow me - even to try my parish priest and I planned to establish
life. Actually I can’t remember the to another congregation. Every year he a vocation ministry; at least to start an
exact moment where I first felt the gave me different reasons and alibi why he effort to promote, nurture and assist any
call. Perhaps, gradually I started to didn’t allow me. So in the end, I thought vocation that youth like me expressed to
recognize it and tried nurturing it maybe it was not for me. I prayed that if follow. The vocation office of our diocese
held a search-in for the first time in 2017,
it was God’s plan for me, I know He will
until it grew. be the one who will open the gates of His with that I was asked by my parish priest
seminary for me. Although at first, it was to attend so that what I could get from the
I come from a simple family, sad I continue to serve in our parish and talks soon will be used as we start our plan
of ten children and I’m the 5th never think of priesthood anymore. for the parish. I attended the search-in and
child. As expected in a big family, Rogationists and tried Maradjao community experience took place. I learned a lot. It was also the time where
It was in COYNOVA’s Diocesan
financial struggle is real but it does Magbalantay at the Diocese of Somehow this was giving me an Youth Day 2016 celebration that I Fr. Marvin and I met. He got curious with
not hinder as to live a good life. Surigao. I did pass it all but when answer to the immense longing fully realized that I was called for the me because after the search-in I didn’t
As far as I can remember before the time came to finally decide, my that I felt. priesthood; the time when I felt that the join the others giving their names because
they wanted to apply. To be a diocesan
they go to work they gathered us parents suggested that I have to calling was real. I realized that priesthood seminarian was an impossible thing for
all in our altar to pray. I started take a college degree in a university I said to myself after college I is a gift of God’s mercy. The priesthood is me but because of God’s call, I took the
to build my religious experience before entering seminary. Perhaps, will work for three years and see not a thing that you will achieve because initial exams given by the Vocation Office I am now a living proof that the
of what you have done. It is not a call
and my relationship with God. I was also convinced that I was too if I still want to pursue a religious of achievement that only the righteous which I passed and then I got into SVS. diocesan vocation is not only for those
I also believe that because of my young to decide. I just told myself life. Life traveled so fast. I started man can get but it is the fullness of God’s According to the dictionary, a who can afford but to all who trust in
grandmother I had deepened my if this is God’s plan for me then he to work on March of 2014. I decided mercy. I came up to this reflection when seminarian is a student who studies God’s mercy and providence. It is an
faith. She was my model in prayer will make a way. “Kairos” in God’s to ask Sr.Ann Amar, DC to journey I started to gaze intimately at the image in the seminary wanting to become a honor to share this faith being a diocesan
life. All these gave me a spark of opportune time. with me while I’m discerning a of Our Lady of Mercy. During the event, priest. As for a diocesan seminarian, it seminarian under the mantle and heart
means you are a seminarian belonging
since it was held in the Vicariate of Our
of St. Vincent de Paul. From DYD 2016,
inspiration in my vocation. religious life. Hence, she endorsed Lady of Mercy, I prayed every day to her. I to a diocese under the supervision of the all things happened after that led me here
Moving on, I took a bachelor’s me to Fr.Don, vocation director of asked that through her intercession, I may local ordinary. In the eyes of the people, and with God’s grace I can’t still believe
During one of my high school degree in Mechanical engineering Congregation of the Mission. On also receive God’s mercy and forgiveness diocesan seminarians are marked with that I am now a diocesan seminarian. I like
days, I decided to wake up early at at a state university in Marawi June 23, 2015 I got a message from because of what I boasted before to God, excellence. There is a high expectation to share this Deuteronomic passage that
dawn and attended Misa De Gallo. City. Life there was never easy him. It was not till December of why after all that I have served Him since for everything we do. Everyone thinks makes me remain grounded and guided:
I think that was the first time I and the danger in the vicinity 2016 when we first met in person. my childhood He didn’t allow me to that we are intelligent, talented and “Remember, do not forget, when you arrive
really cried during Mass. There was prevalent. And because of On May 10, 2017 I journeyed with enter the seminary and why He turned born angelic humans. People treat us as in that land, which you have not conquered,
was this unexplainable feeling of these, I have nowhere else to go. the Congregation of the Mission on me down three times. This realization if we are the sons of the priest. But that when you have a full stomach of things
is the old drama. Diocesan seminarians of
relived my dead and long forgotten desire
joy. I was deeply touched by the Consequently, I joined a Campus a popular mission. Sadly, this was to become a priest. Then, I met Bro. today are different. I believe that diocesan you have not sown, when you dwell in a
Eucharist. Then a question in my Catholic organization. I found also the onset of the Marawi siege, Mark Salamat, SSP and it started a faith- seminarians are God’s gift to the diocese. house that you did not build, remember,
remember that you were a slave in Egypt.
mind sprouts gently, could I be myself zealously working in the the place that I considered as the wracking journey. Meeting him led me We are not a liability. The priesthood
like this priest who offers his life organization, and with the Campus seed bed of my spiritual formation. to his congregation but unfortunately it is our goal, but it is not the end. We do All will remain for the glory of God.
and shared the gospel to people? Catholic community I got to know was really impossible for me. My parents things in the seminary because we thirst
for God’s revelations; from our prayers,
separated in 2008 and from then we’re not
However I just kept it to myself. Lastly, I believe vocation financially able to spend other than for community, apostolate, and academics.
the Daughters of Charity who
Then high school graduation were serving the Blessed Virgin discernment is a continuous our daily needs. So my SD introduced me We are not just future priests, we are
seminarians. We are the hope of the
once again to their congregation because
came. I was still undecided on what Mary Chaplaincy together with process. Every day is an invitation with them, everything was provided but church. Our existence makes the world
course to take. I felt that I want priests Fr.Ever and Fr.Chito. It was to say Yes or No. We are given the since my formator there was my former know that the church is still relevant and
something that I cannot explain. As becoming clear to me that perhaps I freedom to either stay committed parish priest, things just didn’t flow as so our faith. The fulfillment of being a
a result I joined a three day search- want to live a life like that. I believe or choose the other way. In the end, what it should be and I decided to go back diocesan seminarian is not just to become
I pray that “His will be done”.
in for Camillians, took the exam for that’s where my first religious to school. Since I was one of those who a priest but to become a truly diocesan
expressed my intention for the priesthood, seminarian.

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