“Do Whatever He Tells You”: Three Hearts Saying Yes on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary

In the quiet unfolding of God’s providence, three young men of the Archdiocese of Davao, three candidates to the sacred order to the diaconate namely Sem. Resty Joy Juyo Cabahug from Virgen Delos Remedios Parish, Crossing Bayabas, Toril, Sem. Jessie Joseph Calaguim Canonigo from San Miguel Parish Panacan and Sem. Perry Neil Gellica Patayon from Immaculate Conception Parish Mintal, offered their lives in a sacred “yes” that has been shaped through years of prayer, struggle, surrender, and grace. On November 21, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they were ordained to the diaconate by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, under the theme that has echoed throughout their journey: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

Their stories began in homes where faith was planted in different ways yet grew under the same gentle light. Bro. Perry’s calling sprouted in the simple holiness of family such as praying the rosary, GKK gatherings, novenas, and the quiet awe he felt as a child watching priests, sensing in them a presence he yearned to understand. He did not plan to become a priest; he wasn’t sure of his path at all. But small signs whispered to him, nudging him forward even when doubts and temptations to quit. Looking back, he sees how God never stopped sustaining him. Bro. Jessie’s journey was a search marked by detours. He once dreamed of becoming a soldier, disciplined and driven, immersed in CAT and ROTC. He shifted colleges, worked, and studied again, restless yet longing for direction. During a recollection, a stirring in his heart surfaced during confession as something “from the depths” that led him to search in. His seminary years were far from smooth; he left for four years to support his family, only to discover that the call he once set aside had not left him. Like a prodigal son embraced by mercy, he returned with a renewed heart, ready to follow where the Lord led. Bro. Resty’s story bears the marks of a quiet miracle. In high school, he endured years of severe nose and throat bleeding that forced him to stop schooling and almost crushed his hope. But when a seminary-inclined cousin invited him to consider the vocation, curiosity and longing stirred within. Supported wholeheartedly by his family, he entered the seminary and from the day he stepped inside, the bleeding that once defined his life simply stopped. He embraced this as a sign, a second life given to him by God, and chose to offer it back in service.

As their ordination nears, each of them carries both trembling and joy. Bro. Perry feels the weight of human weakness but trusts that grace is stronger. Bro. Jessie acknowledges a sense of unworthiness but believes that the Holy Spirit will speak through him when words are needed. Bro. Resty is overwhelmed with gratitude, humbled by a prayer long whispered now coming to fulfillment. Their families, too, have made their own journeys wherein some beginning with doubt, others with quiet hope, but all arriving now at deep pride and support.

Their time in formation both in the seminary and in their prediaconate program shaped them through moments they will never forget. Bro. Resty once faced the painful choice of leaving the seminary to care for a sibling hospitalized during the pandemic, only to be told lovingly, “Ayaw mig hunahunaa,” words that strengthened his discernment at the same time he expressed his gratitude towards DXGN the media arm of the Archdiocese especially in helping him develop his self-confidence. Bro. Jessie found himself moved to tears by the beauty of chapel chants like Tantum Ergo, moments that carved grace into his heart and that his exposure in the seminary was unforgettable because in a way he became a mediator between the formator and the seminarians wherein he too can see a reflection of his self and his journey just like his brother seminarians before. Bro. Perry discovered Christ in the communities he served such as the Badjao people, the students of AGRO and RMC, the workplace humility of Kookels where he labored unnoticed as a seminarian, and the hospital rooms where suffering and hope mingled. These experiences, stitched together with prayer, academics, and community life, affirmed the path God had chosen for them at the same time he is also thankful for his experience before in the Family Life Apostolate, Pastoral Office and the Archdiocesan Social Action Center wherein he was taking part in the midterm elections with the ACECOM and the Sagop Kinabuhi Program.

They know that ordained life will bring new challenges especially managing parishes and personalities, staying faithful in a world that moves quickly, learning responsibilities not taught in classrooms. Yet their trust rests in God’s promise. Their message to the youth reflects this trust: slow down, find silence, listen deeply. God speaks often in whispers, and one might already be receiving His “missed call” without realizing it. “Don’t disregard the small signs,” Bro. Perry reminds. “Seek the silence of your heart,” Bro. Resty encourages. “Take time to pause, rest for a while, listen to the Holy Spirit,” Bro. Jessie affirms.

With hearts ready to serve, they promise to pray faithfully, serve generously, and live a life anchored in charity, obedience, and celibate love for all God’s people. They carry deep gratitude first and foremost for God, their families, their formators, the communities they served, and everyone who offered prayers and encouragement. Now, they invite the entire Church of Davao to join them in their joy and in their offering, whether in the cathedral or through the livestream via DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM Davao both via Facebook and radio.

As they prepare to kneel before the altar and give their lives to God, the words entrusted to Mary at Cana echo over their vocation and over all who witness it—gentle, steady, and full of grace saying “Do whatever He tells you.”