When I was still in Grade School, I had been influenced by my Character Education teachers in entering the seminary. I was never against the idea, in fact, I really loved it that they see me as someone who can be one of them. Maybe it wasn’t the right time those days that I would seem eager to be a seminarian. On the other hand, I already dreamt of becoming a lawyer or a soldier someday. Even though the military bloodline runs in our family, my mother is still apprehensive about the idea that I wanted to embrace the profession of arms.
It may seem an early call from God since I am only 16. But for me, it has been quite a very long time --- and God have shown me signs little by little. Last year, the school year of 2010-2011, I was in third year High School in O. B. Montessori- Sta. Ana, Mr. Ramil Torres, a seminarian of University of Santo Tomas, approached me. It was just his first year in teaching in our school but he became very influential to all of the students. He told me, “Why don’t you try the seminary?” and I replied “Sure sir.”, but my decision that time wasn’t a hundred-percent sure because I was really confused of what course I shall take in college.
My father also gave me the idea of the seminary life. We were in a hospital that day, I can’t remember what actually happened to me but accident prone as I am, I was pretty sure that I got wounded or hit by a classmate on a regular PE day. He told me that if I’m taking up a pre-law course why not take up Philosophy in Claret Seminary, being a Claretian that he was. I was enlightened by these words and inspired me at the same time. At this point, my decision started growing.
I had a girlfriend that time. There are times that we would talk about my vocation in entering the seminary either in private or in public—with friends. We would always fight, and I understand that she believes that fate will one day permit that I will turn my back from her because I will be God’s servant. We had been quarreling until I decided to break up and she finally accepted that my love for God is greater than my love for her. I still thank God for meeting her because she was also an inspiration for me but I know that God has a better plan, for sure.
As time goes by, I still have not gotten into a decision of what I really wanted to do with my life in the future. Of course, I will always be one of the students who want to pursue a degree in a field of study, build a family of my own, and enjoy the life as a successful person, until I can say that I am already HAPPY. More and more people inspired me like our Values Education teacher in High School, Mr. Bernard Buntile and his friend Bro. Sherwin Salonga, who entered the Alagad ni Maria Seminary. Like what Mr. Torres told me, they also did the same especially during our Spiritual Retreat last November 8 and 9. Their brotherhood caught my attention. They were really happy like you can see Christ in them. At the same time, they are very intellectual and full of values.
Some of us are lucky because we find ourselves in a perfect family. I may not be one of them but I still thank God for bringing me to my parents. I grow up and the more mature I see myself, the more I understand things. Maybe I didn’t see that much of great examples that my father should set as a family man but I still look up to him because he can still show a little effort to provide for us -- with the things we need for school. My parents, together with my grandmother fight sometimes, I can’t help to get involved because I am a product of the family. I grew up seeing how imperfect my family is but I didn’t complain. Not until, I started asking God “Lord, why have you gotten me into this kind of situation?” That time I really reflected and heard God call. God’s voice was “SILENCE”. I literally didn’t hear anything except for the song which came from my heart. It goes:
“You are my light; You’re the lamp upon my feet.
All the time, my Lord, I need you there
You are my light, I cannot live alone
Let me stay by Your guiding love
All through my life
Lead Me Lord”
It was like a sound of a great choir of Angels for me. I knelt, cried and asked the Lord to embrace me once again. It felt like a rebirth for me. It lessened the burden I felt on my shoulders. Not long after that my brother was diagnosed with a Dengue fever. It was one of the most dangerous illnesses that doctors had ever encountered with their patients. He had internal bleeding, low platelet count and unhealthy appetite. I was worried and I pitied my brother for his situation. It continued until his fourth day of stay in the hospital. I prayed to God and with full decision and the hardest things to promise in just a snap of a finger, I told Him “Lord, please have mercy on us all. If you would accept me as a sacrifice to serve you, let it be. Just help my brother recover and help me fulfill Your promise. I will enter the seminary.” And just hours after I say those words, my brother had an initial recovery and was ready to go home.
The person behind my vocation was my mother. She had shown us how she can raise children who will one day become the greatest example for others. She told us that if she were a male, she would like to become a priest too. The good character she taught us is irreplaceable and it helped us achieve so many things. It was just recently that I told her the story of my full decision of entering the seminary. We chose the Dominican Order because my mom is a great friend of Fr. Jaime Boquiren.
My mother also helped me with my application. She called Sto. Domingo Parish and then I was asked to go there and meet Bro. Romulo who gave me my IQ test and Psychological Test. I was accepted by the Order of Preachers after an interview in UST last February 26, 2012. There were only four of us who were scheduled for an interview that day. That was also the time I met Fr. Roy together with Fr. Boyet and Fr. Val (if I’m not mistaken of his name). They let me feel confident in the interview even though they were laughing at me the whole time because of the continuous jokes which I tend not to understand somehow. I always find the priests the wisest men in the planet. Not only because they really know a lot but also because they continue serving the people and finding answers for our faith.
Most of our extended families and some of the people we know do not support my decision. My friends never expected that I would choose this vocation. Maybe we all have different perspectives of following the Lord. Words of criticism and prejudices are just there for to tempt and disappoint us in continuing our goals. It is hard to hold yourself up if you’re afraid that you can’t make it but as long as you offer yourself to the Lord and remember that He’ll be by your side facing all the challenges that go your way, you will always find yourself as a champion.
I just found my purpose in life. And that is to win people for Him. I know that I am not worthy of God’s Kingdom by entering the Holy Orders but I believe He had called me for a mission. A mission to help bring salvation to all mankind. I thank God that out of millions I am one of the persons He called. I find happiness being with the Lord. Worldly pleasure is just temporary but God’s love is never ending. May God help me to hang on and pursue in His light and Glory – in St. Dominic...
-Vince Inigo
