To Be Or Not To Be?
By Fr. Dave Cribbin mssc
Between the ages of 10 and 17 my ambition in life changed many times, from truck driver to scientist, to photographer, to engineer, policeman, soldier – until one day I came home from high school and told my family that I was going to join the Columbans and become a missionary priest.
They could not believe my decision and in fact they even found it amazing. Because especially during my high school years I was never what you might call a religious person. In fact, each Sunday morning my parents had to pull me out of bed to attend Mass. I went but it was against my will. So you might ask why this sudden interest in becoming a missionary priest. What happened to me?
Well, it was quite simple really. In final year in high school I was very confused as to what to do with my life. I heard some of my classmates making plans to emigrate. More were choosing various courses in college while others were hoping to get jobs straightaway. So after a lot of soul searching I decided to become a policeman. So after a lot of soul searching I decided to become a policeman. I was interested in this way of life. I felt I would be a good one and that I would also be happy. After I had made the decision I was relieved to have my future sorted out. At least that is what I thought. Shortly afterwards Columban Nicholas Murray came to my high school to give a talk about his life as a missionary and to see if any of us felt that God was calling us to be come missionary priest. I knew that He wasn’t calling me as He had already called me to be a policeman. My life was already sorted out, or so I thought. I still didn’t mind attending the vocation talk though because it meant that we had a class free from Mathematics.
My messy way
Over the previous months priests from different congregations and orders gave us vocation talks but some were not interesting; they only confirmed my wanting to be a policeman. Everything was going according to my plan until a Columban entered my life. I can still clearly remember that visit to the school from that Columban and the impression he had made on me. He was honest, down to earth, human, open and enthusiastic. He spoke about missionary life as it was and didn’t try to make the life sound more glamorous, heroic, exciting or easy than it was. The man’s obvious happiness and contentment in being a priest and his passion for mission really struck me. However, as much as I was challenged and moved by his sharing, I still wanted to continue on my own messy way. After all I had other important things to do and criminals to catch. I still had to go to college, save money, build a house, get married and have children.
After the vocation talk
However I do remember saying to myself that if ever I was to become a priest, I’d join the Columbans because of the work they are doing and their being down to earth. Alas, my nice, comfortable, organized plan for my life was never again the same after that vocation talk. I couldn’t get the Columbans or missionary priesthood out of my head. This was really frustrating and annoying me because I didn’t want to become a priest and I certainly didn’t want to live abroad because I am very close to my family and I love Ireland.
In the following weeks I got more and more frustrated until suddenly I hit upon a brilliant plan that would solve everything. I wrote a letter to the Columban inquiring about their next search-in or vacation weekend to which I received a prompt reply. A few weeks later I headed off to spend a weekend with the Columban priest, which according to my plan, would prove that this wasn’t the life for me. I would discover just how unsuited I was to missionary priesthood and therefore continue on my merry way as a policeman.
Me? A missionary priest?
That was the plan but it backfired! Two days later I left the Columban House convinced that God was calling me to be a Columban missionary priest and realized that I myself wouldn’t be content unless I gave it a try. That evening I arrived home and told my parents, who just stood there looking at me, with their mouths open in shock. My brother and sisters started laughing as they found the whole idea so funny. They thought I was mad. However, when they saw that I was serious and really wanted to give it a go, they were fantastic and gave me their full backing and support.
At last my ordination
Six months later, on September 21, 1987, I joined the Columbans and was ordained priest on January 4, 1997. After ordination, I was assigned to Mindanao, Philippines, where I had spent 2 years training as a student. I asked to be assigned to the Marawi prelature in Lanao del Sur which is 95% Muslim. For the past two years I have been here in Our Lady of Peace Parish, Malabang, settling in and finding my feet in this very different culture and world. In a few months time I’ll be finishing up here in this parish and moving into a Maranao barrio for a year or two in order to learn Maranao, the language of the local Muslim area. This is where my interest lies, Muslims-Christian dialogue and I feel God’s presence very much with me here.
To conclude, I am delighted to be here in the Philippines and to be living in the Muslim-Christian area. Looking back, I have no regrets about the decisions I have made and I would have made the same ones all over again.
Reflection: Your Dream
If you have a dream alive in your mind, bring it to the world, give it life. Too often the treasures which are ours alone to give are never given a chance to grow. We each have a unique gift to bring to this world. It is our purpose in life to offer this gift for even if only a few people benefit from our offering the world is then a better place to live in.