Our messenger from Philippines, Inc. Edwin Listana gave this to me yesterday. Pasalubong from his province Sorsogon. His brother, Fr. Noel was ordained this year.
- Notice the “Pray for me” at the bottom
Priests do need our prayers and guidance too.
When my father died, I fell into a deep depression. Actually, I was already depressed many months prior to his death due to numerous problems. But his death aggravated my situation. I felt so very sad and was always crying. I thought maybe if I attended a retreat, it could relieve me of this emotional stress.
Off I went to Caleruega. I arrived just before noon and was greeted by a young priest.
The place was so quiet and empty. I was surprised to know that it was the very first time in their history that only one person came. The least daw was 2 people. Mostly wives having problems with their you know who.
The young priest (I forgot na his name), celebrated mass in a tiny room, with yours truly as the only parishioner. I also acted as the reader and sacristan. It was the shortest mass ever, and the most meaningful one to me. No sermon, but for some reason, feel na feel ko talaga. I felt so peaceful, relaxed and truly connected with God.
About 5 pm, I saw the priest, alone, sitting in one of the kubos. I joined him to entertain myself. Para meron akong kausap. He asked, “so why are you here?” Apparently, he already had a pre-conceived notion that my husband was probably gallivanting with some woman that’s why I was seeking for spiritual strength.
I told him my father died and I was so sad and depressed. Naku , when he heard that, he started telling me about his life.
He was depressed too, confused and seriously contemplating of leaving the priesthood. The Diocese sent him to Caleruega para maka pag muni-muni sya.
His father had died too (what a coincidence) and he felt so sad and alone. He was assigned in Pangasinan at the Our Lady of Manaoag. Eh di ba nga thousands of people flock there, kaya he held masses sometimes 7 – 10 x a day hanggang gabi. Mukhang na-burn-out sya. Pati daw yung mga naghihingalo, sa simbahan dadalhin sa halip na sa hospital. Mga nag-aaway na mag-asawa sa kanila rin ang takbo. Burn-out nga!!!
Why daw he could not marry, and so on and so forth.
So pinayuhan ko sya. I asked him to go back to the very reason why he decided to become a priest. Tapos I explained to him why yung mga taga probinsya pinapabendisyunan ang mga naghihingalo. Priests are venerated and looked up to, kaya pag may problema ang mag-asawa, they seek advise from the priest.
Only a person of age could understand and know the rationale behind all these. Wisdom comes with age. He’s in his early 30s, medyo kulang pa sya sa depth.
The following morning, the priest headed back to Manaoag. He thanked me profusely for enlightening him.
Me, I felt weird. I went to Caleruega because I was depressed. Tapos yung pari pala ang mas depressed.
