Dear Sto. Niño,

As I reflect on my life, I feel a deep longing and a strong desire to be more and do more. There is a childhood calling that I have kept hidden and ignored for too long. I write this letter to explore where your hands have guided me.

I vividly remember the visits of catechists to our school who taught us about you, even though their visits were not consistent. They, along with passionate lay ministers, taught me about Catholicism. My first ambition is to be one of them. During a school Mass when I saw my classmates serving as altar servers, I also aspired to be like them.  However, I felt a strong desire to serve you in a similar capacity to the one whom they called “father”.  I shared my dream of becoming a priest with my mother, but she expressed financial concerns, saying our family couldn’t afford to support that kind of ambition. 

It was funny that I desired to be a catechist, a lay minster, or an altar server when I couldn’t even attend Sunday Mass. However, you did not allow my desire to be forgotten by me; I heard the live broadcast of DYHP RMN Cebu Radio of the Mass from your Basilica. With that, it even lessens my desire. I just hoped to visit your shrine even once.

During my high school, a significant event occurred that seemed like a reminder from you. Some time, the morning Mass was postponed to the afternoon. I was on the stage where the altar had been prepared. A gust of wind blew, causing everything to fall. At that moment, I stepped forward and restored the items. My hands were shaking, holding the chalice and paten, that time I did not know what they were called. It seems like  the whole world paused for a while.  

You know well that I’ve been avoiding your call because I was uncertain of what to do or where to seek guidance. Despite my resistance, you continued to draw me closer to you. When I got a job after high school, I could physically attend mass every Sunday, even everyday at your basilica where I heard over the radio. I believe it was you who paved a path for me, when in 2016, my sister moved to Talisay. There I started serving you as a reader and even a psalmist in the newly-constructed chapel of St. Luke. This  led me to participate in the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) and become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at your Parish in Mohon. It was a fulfilling experience. You fulfill one of my childhood desires. 

There was a time when I challenged you to allow me to go to college and if the childhood desire  of becoming a priest would still be there, I would consider joining seminary after graduation. It was very impossible for me to go to college but you accepted my challenge and conditions.  You even allowed me to fulfill one of my childhood desires again, I became a catechist in the morning and a college student in the afternoon. That brought me to tears my dear Sto. Niño every time I remember how you have guided my path.

 With Your grace, I graduated  from college. The childhood desires you have slowly fulfilled. After college, I remained in service to you, as a lay minister, catechist and sometimes, altar server. Yet I am uncertain about how to proceed in doing my promise and condition. Even though I have good positions in the parish ministries, as a coordinator of the catechists and treasurer of Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and PPC member,  I lacked the courage to express my aspirations to any priests and feared the financial concerns. I prayed to you to send people to help me. And you did! Our new parish priest, in  2021,  Fr. Generous Gonesto, OSA asked me directly if I wanted to become a priest. Although I did not respond outwardly but deep inside me I was convinced that you had sent him as a sign and a guide. I entered the Late Vocation program, I don’t consider it late because your voice was never late—it was my response that was delayed. 

It feels like just yesterday when I dreamt of attending Mass, serving in the altar, being a lay Minister, and becoming a catechist. You have granted all of those dreams, except for one. I persisted and believed because I know that you wouldn’t lead me here without purpose. Now, I am a novice. Though I may not feel deserving, I trust that you qualify those whom you call.

In you my dearest Sto. Niño I place all my trust. Guide and strengthen me as I continue discerning your plan for my life. May your Divine will be done, and may I find the courage to follow wherever you lead me all the days of my life.

Sincerely,

Onad