By Sem Jun Estoque

Nowadays young people are taking longer to mature. Those going for the priesthood are no exception. The Philippine bishops have set up a special seminary for those who decide later in life to become a priest and are already professionals. Jun Estoque has taken this road and tells us all about it.

The very first time entering the seminary came into my mind was when I was still in fourth year high school. Before the last quarter of that year, the Columban Fathers, led by Fr. Michael Martin, came to our school, Kabankalan Catholic College, and made a vocation campaign. Twelve of us from our batch decided to take the examination conducted in Himamaylan Parish. Soon after we were informed that six of us passed and will be qualified for the search-in the following weekend. During the search-in, the late Fr. Edward Allen, together with Frs. Brian Gore and Michael Martin, interviewed us. The last stage of the discernment was the live-in to be held at the Columban House in Batang, Himamaylan. Unfortunately we were not able to attend because of our tactical inspection in school. We then told each other, “We are not really meant for such vocation.”

All roads lead me to priesthood

However, my contact with the Society did not stop there. Time passed, I entered college and finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I worked in our Diocese as volunteer Diocesan Youth Coordinator for several years and was offered a teaching opportunity at Kabankalan Catholic College. During these years, the desire to enter the priesthood had once again been triggered. I can say that my work in school and my involvement in the parish and in the Youth Commission allowed this search of vocation to nourish and develop.

After seven years I decided to approach the then Bishop of Kabankalan, Most Rev. Vicente M. Navarra, D.D. and told him that I had decided to pursue my plan of entering the seminary. This delighted him. It was through him that I got to enter the Holy Apostle’s Senior Seminary in Manila, a seminary that caters to the needs of the so-called ‘late vocations’ – those men who have earned a college degree and still wanted to serve God and his people through priesthood. I was at first hesitant. The Seminary was too far, it would require a lot of adjustments, not to mention the distance from the family. But Bishop Navarra told me to just try it.

It pays to be patient

I did inquire but the examination was already over and I had to wait for another year. So I went on with my teaching job, looking forward to entering the seminary the following year. While waiting, various experiences and opportunities came my way which became my source of encouragement.

Before I knew it, I was already heading for Manila for the examination. When I went home after several days, the result from the seminary was already sent. I immediately opened it and to my great delight, it said that I was accepted for the next formation year.

My parish priest, Fr. Baltazar Bandua, was the first one to know about it and then I immediately went home and informed my parents about it. Mixed emotions were felt at home. On this year I left my teaching job and went to Manila for the seminary formation.

Designed for latecomers

Holy Apostles Senior Seminary was indeed fit for a professional like me. This was the response of His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, D.D., Archbishop of Manila, on the challenge and the call of the Universal Church to establish and develop institutions destined for the formation of those who are called to the priesthood at a more advanced age. An institution that with the help of the bishops of the region or of the country be planned and equipped to correspond fully with their established purpose. We were ten in the batch that were accepted, all coming from different dioceses of the Philippines with various cultural upbringing and professional backgrounds – engineers, educators, dentist.

To really live up to the call of the formation, we are living according to the four pillars of formation known as CASA Formation – Community Life, Academic Life, Spiritual Life and Apostolic Life. Each of these pillars complement with each other. In my four years in the formation, I saw that all of these pillars are attainable if being coupled with openness and acceptance of one’s limitations.

Letting go of comfort zone

The very first thing that I encountered in the seminary was the difficulty in adjusting with the new environment as compared to the one outside the seminary. There was that pain of separation. I had to let go of my personal career, my comfort and security in my family and friends. There was also this challenge on how to accept the limitations of my fellow seminarians while trying to face my own limitations, too. The cultural differences and professional background also play a big part in the formation.

But indeed I can say that my decision to follow the Lord was really in proper timing. The call is always there, only that the response of each one comes in various degrees and stage in life. I might have responded long before, but it was not the right time for me. God’s call is always in the right time. As our seminary always carries the message, “It’s never too late to serve the Lord. You can still be a priest!”