Priestly Vocation: Answering the Call They Could Not Ignore

In the quiet corners of prayer, God plants the seeds of vocation. And in the hearts of those who dare to listen, these seeds bloom into a life offered entirely for Him. This coming July 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM, the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Catalunan Grande, Davao City will witness a sacred and unforgettable moment: the priestly ordination of three men who have responded with courage and love to God’s call: Rev. Marijun of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Ma. Cabales, SDV, Rev. Jerame of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Ma. Elmetanio, SDV, and Rev. Edmar of the Most Holy Trinity Ma. Lapus, SDV. Their ordination, to be presided over by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, is not merely a personal milestone. It is a profound gift to the Church, a living testament that God’s call continues to echo in the hearts of the faithful.

Their journey to the altar was shaped by years of formation, discernment, and silent surrender. They are members of the Society of Divine Vocations (SDV), also known as the VOCATIONIST FATHERS, is a religious congregation founded by Saint Justin Maria of the Holy Trinity, in Pianura, Naples – Italy in 1920. The Vocationist Fathers’ main charism is “identifying and fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially among the less privileged”. Within the walls of formation houses they were formed not only by prayer and theology, but by service, humility, and fidelity to the mission. In a recent interview with DXGN 89.9 Spirit-FM, the reverend deacons shared that they felt joy, excitement and also nervousness upon their upcoming ordination since they felt the weight of the responsibility of the call to priesthood.

For many, their calling began with simple beginnings: as altar servers, youth ministers, or quiet observers in the back pews of parish Masses. But God, who sees beyond what we can imagine, invited them into something greater. Rev. Marijun from San Rafael Maasin City, Southern Leyte shared that since he was young, his grandma always brings him to church and as he grew older, he became an altar server and at the same time he felt the goodness of the priests and those experiences helped him in developing his vocation. Rev. Edmar from Brgy. Tabunok, Hilongos, Province of Leyte shared that he entered as a seminarian at the age of 29 hence a late vocation. For 10 years he stopped his education before due to poverty and only finished highschool. 10 years later he met his highschool classmate who became a priest and it inspired him to become a priest himself. Rev. Jerame from Las Nieves Agusan del Norte shared that he never became an altar server because their parish is far but after becoming a house boy at his aunt’s house, his cousin who is a member of Missionaries of Charity encouraged him to search-in. He got accepted in their diocese but she encouraged him search-in as a vacationist and to transfer to Davao City hence marking the start of his vocation journey. Their ‘yes’ is not just an answer to a call; it is a lifelong promise to serve, to carry the burdens of the people, and to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

As they prepare for their ordination, the three soon-to-be priests carry not just the weight of their personal dreams, but the hopes of a Church longing for faithful and joyful shepherds. They gave thanks to the Almighty God, who is the source of vocation and their hearts are filled with gratitude, for their family who never stopped believing, for their formators who molded them with patience, for their benefactors who prayed with them, and for the SDV community that embraced their vocation journey.

To the youth who may feel the gentle stirrings of God’s call, their message is clear and bold. Rev. Marijun shared: “Dili magduha duha og tubag sa tawag sa Ginoo, although naa tay mga kabalaka apan atong hinumdoman nga ang Ginoo andam mopahiluna sa atoa kung kita andam usab nga motubag sa Iyang tawag.” Rev. Edmar expressed: “Kung mibati man kamo ug tawag sa Ginoo, i-ampo ug pamalandongi kay ang Ginoo sa kanunay nagtan-aw, ayaw kahadlok, adunay kabalaka, kaguol apan kung motubag lang kita sa tawag sa Ginoo tanan natong gipangayo, gipangita, Iyang ihatag ug ipahiluna sa saktong panahon.” Lastly, Rev. Jerame shared: “We are also reminded by our baptism that we are called to be in mission, we are called to be missionaries so tanan ta gitawag sa Dios. Pero if naa moy ma feel na kanang nagkalayo sa inyong dughan ipadayon lang na inyong pag-ampo tapos pangayo mo og grasya sa Dios.”

The priesthood is not a profession, but a vocation. It is a life lived in total offering — at times difficult, but always full of grace. As the bells ring and the Litany of the Saints is sung on their ordination day, the whole Church joins in praise and thanksgiving. For in every priest ordained, Christ lives and walks once again with His people. (Allyza Hope Tabigue)