This month Comboni Missionary vocation promoter Fr Marnie Cuarteros reports on the generosity of four young Filipinos in responding to God’s call to the priesthood.

The four in question are among the many who have heard the call of God and responded. They left their families and professions, yet they are contented and joyful as witnesses of burning love for God and for humankind. This divine call for priestly missionary life is a sign of God’s love personally to them and for their fellow men and women.

The new Comboni Missionary priests tell us something about themselves, the significant moments in their lives and their hopes and dreams.

Moises De la Cruz Estacio hails from Concepcion, Tarlac. The youngest in a brood of six- two sisters and four brothers - he was a licensed chemical engineer before joining the Comboni Missionaries.

Fr Moi, what attracted you to the missionary life?

At first I just wanted to be a priest. I did not even know what religious and diocesan priests are. While working in a photo film company, I felt an inner desire to a deeper commitment to serve.

The call to missionary life developed the response to God’s call. I felt that in God’s plan in my life I should share my faith first.

The Comboni charism filled my ideal. I have seen joyful Comboni Missionaries who have been committed in their way of life as religious, their way of doing mission together as a community and their passion for mission.

What are you treasured experiences as a Comboni Missionary?

The first missionary experience that I had as a postulant that left a mark on my journey was my immersion with the Aetas in Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga. Their simplicity of life, trust in the Divine Providence and the opportunity to share with them their day to day struggle, impressed me deeply.

My theological studies in Rome also gave me the possibility to visit the places significant to St. Daniel Comboni and the Comboni Missionaries.

Can you share with us your plans and dreams?

My first missionary assignment to Taiwan does not allow me to have other long-term plans! I would rather hope that I may be able to learn the Chinese language and the culture of the people I will be sent to so that I can share their joy and difficulties.

Do you have any message for young people?

Live, and live right. Do not waste your youthful life - treasure it. Offer it to God and be happy. As I ask the Lord to lead me into the unknown, I utter the same words I said in the formula of my first religious profession: “the God who has led me this far will take me the rest of the way.” So, young people, don’t be afraid to make the journey. It might not be easy but go on and seek the guidance of the vocation director; he will help you find your way to that call.

Raul Baluma Tabaranza is from Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte. He has a degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Education. He worked in a bank as a traveling teller before he joined the Comboni Missionaries. He is the fifth in a family of six and has a brother who is a diocesan priest.

What attracted you to becoming a Comboni Missionary?

The first time I encountered the Comboni Missionaries, I was impressed with the simplicity of their life-style. They have the things they need but they used them not in exaggeration but for what the Gospel demands.

The very remarkable thing that attracted me was the internationality of the community, as well as the courage and dedication of the Comboni Missionaries who have died in the missions. They offered their lives in faith for God and that inspired me so much.

What are your treasured experiences as a missionary?

The real meaning of detachment: I left home for the seminary when my mother was sick and partially bed-ridden, and I did this with the blessing of the whole family. I have learned how vital is my complete surrender to the Lord with the assurance that God takes care of us - ironically, my separation from my family made me closer to them.

My mother and my uncle, Msgr. Artemio A. Baluma, died when I was in London doing my theological studies. The pain broke me so much but it also helped me to understand life, especially my life as a missionary.

Any message you want to share with us?

We have to remain strong and firm in fulfilling God’s dream for us. God is a dreamer and we only have to cooperate with Him. I used to work in the bank as a traveling teller. This time I do not count money any more, but I do count God’s blessings in my daily way of living. I hope that people will also treasure even the little blessings that they may receive. Moreover, we have to live life in complete surrender and to allow the Lord to work wonders. And, to let people be missionaries themselves by remembering us in prayer especially those who find difficulties in the mission. We should also allow the Lord to shape us in the way He wants us to be.

Bonifacio A. Apaap, Jr. was born in Bohol in 1974. He grew up in the province of Bukidnon. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Education with Major in Mathematics, and taught in a private institution before entering the Comboni seminary.

What attracted you to the missionary life?

The living witnesses of God’s love towards the oppressed and most abandoned, as well as the understanding of Comboni Missionaries working together from different cultures and being in the forefront in the mission, working for peace, justice and human promotion.

Do you have any treasured experiences as a missionary?

I treasured the experiences I have had in formation - the community life in the Postulancy, the Novitiate and Scholasticate. These experiences helped me to arrive at a mature decision and at the same time deepen my relationship with God. Throughout my formative years, the pastoral work in the hospital, home for the aged, a leprosarium, resettlement areas, janitorial job in Far Eastern University Hospital, camping with the Italian scouts, work with immigrants from Eritrea and Ethiopia in Rome, parish experiences and service done with the old Comboni missionaries in Milan, gave me opportunities to serve and understand the value of redemptive suffering. The canonization of St. Daniel Comboni also was an opportunity for me to serve the Pope as book-bearer during the Easter Eucharistic Celebration of year 2002.

What are your plans and dreams as a missionary?

I want o spend my life in the mission with great joy and fulfillment as a witness for others - to offer my life for them.

I hope to persevere and if God would will it to die in the mission.

What message can you impart to the youth?

All things shall pass, so use your life according to the will of God whatever your status in life. It is now our time for Filipinos to go out and preach this love of God for all. Do not be afraid to take risks, God is always on our side. Be honest to yourself and to what you want in your life so that you will be happy.

Edgardo Alfonso Vizcarra is from Tondo, Manila. He was born in 1971, the youngest in the family. Prior to entering Daniel Comboni Seminary, he obtained a degree in Industrial Electricity and Religious Education. He worked as a teacher in a secondary school in the Mt. Province, Northern Luzon.

What attracted you to the Comboni Missionaries?

Missionaries are called to “welcome” everybody regardless of culture and social status. They welcome even the most “unwelcoming” situation and people in life wherever they may be. This particular aspect of the Comboni Missionaries attracted me most in joining them. I saw it, experienced it and started living with it. As the Lord welcomes all, this inspired me to be one like them and to be with them. People need a place and “home” where they feel accepted, rejuvenated and loved by God and this open-commensality that the congregation is living day after day led me to the Comboni family.

What missionary experiences would you like to share with us?

The experience of living with people of different cultures and perceptions in life coupled with their faith-experience, is something that I treasure and will look at whenever the “rainy days’ in my life as a missionary and as a human person would come.

Listening and seeing how God touches the lives of the most ordinary people that I encountered and lived with is something like a pearl to be sought for and keep and share with others. People and living with them always fascinate me for in them I could see how the power of the Spirit moves in them.

Do you have any message for the people?

When one dreams, he/she must be ready to sacrifice in order to accomplish the dreams that he/she desires in life. The Lord has a great and wonderful dream for all of us, what we only need to do is to listen and actualize it in our daily lives.<WM

Write to

Fr. Vincent and Fr. Marnie

Vocation team

Comboni Missionaries 282Roosevelt Ave

1105 Quezon City M.M

Philippines

Tel. 414-3164/372-5859

or E-mail:

postasia@i-manila.com.ph

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