By Fr. Niall O’Brien

House Arrest

It was 1983 and I was vocation director so I needed to visit the schools. However, there was a small problem: I was under house arrest. I needed the permission of General Fidel Ramos or at least of his local stand-in, Col. Agudon.

Armed Guard

That explains why I was accompanied by an armed guard when I spoke to the students in La Salle University, Bacolod. I spoke to the students about the call of Christ to leave home: ‘Go teach all people to be my disciples.’ Philip Bonifacio was one those who decided to attend our seminar on becoming a missionary.

Long Distance Runner

Philip was a long distance runner and that, of course, did not go against him when our team assessed the students who applied to be Columban missionaries after our introductory seminars. Well, 13 students were accepted into that first Columban formation program. Those from Negros had a despedida Mass – guess where? In the Bacolod Provincial Jail! Because by that time I was behind bars with fellow Columban, Brian Gore, Fr. Vicente Dangan and six lay leaders. We were accused of killing our mayor, Pablo Sola. This was all part of Marcos’ battle against Bishop Fortich and the Basic Christian Communities which were struggling to improve the conditions of the sugar workers in Negros. Luckily our photo from that time has survived, and you can see it here.

Off to Cebu

Philip joined the others in Cebu, attending San Carlos Seminary – a five year course including some missionary experience in Mindanao. Some parents wondered if sending the boys south to Cebu for University training wasn’t a step down. Geographically, yes! But academically, certainly not because San Carlos has superb record and of course, is one of the oldest academic establishments in the Philippines. Apart from that, Cebu is surely the heart of the Philippines.

Manila and Japan

Next came Theology in Manila and a two-year stint in Japan on our overseas training program for aspiring missionary priests. This overseas training is not so easy because you have to start learning a different language and adapt to a different culture. But then this is a way of finding out if the young man is cut out to be a missionary priest.

Deaconate at Malate

Back to Manila and more studies for Philip. Then he was ordained deacon at the historic Church of Malate where five Columbans were killed during the war and buried in an unknown grave. Philip then helped out in Malate where Fr. Michael Martin is parish priest at present.

Finally Bacolod

And so, some twelve and a half years after he made his decision to join the Columbans, Philip was ordained at St. Mary’s Redemptorist Church in Bacolod by Bishop Camilo Gregorio on December the 18th 1995. Well the photos surely express his joy after that long distance run.

Loneliness of the Runner

There must be moments of loneliness for anyone who sets their eye on a goal which is far away, like becoming a missionary priest. But Philip ran the course. He was helped by many people

– the love and support of his own family; it’s a heavy burden to give up a son

– the priests of the Columban formation staff who listened and chided and encouraged and prayed with Philip all the way

– in Philip’s case, the Neo Catecumenato, a network of prayer groups who loved him and encouraged his personal prayer life without which no seminarian can hope to reach ordination

– our Japanese Christians who encouraged him and came to the ordination to show their love

– you, our benefactors, who pray for him still and give the financial support which makes that long journey possible.

Philip’s journey is not over. He will need your prayers even more now as he begins his second period in Japan, struggling to be a gentle and patient witness. Witness to what? To the fact that Jesus is Risen and that His gentle presence will heal me and the society if I will walk with Him.