Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Flores (Agenzia Fides) – Below is a vocation story sent to Agenzia Fides from a young Camillian Brother from Indonesia who is in formation in the Philippines:
“Ever since I was a child I always enjoyed participating in liturgical ceremonies in my parish. Two events that were very important for me were: the pastoral visit of our Bishop Edoardo Sangsun, SVD and the 25th anniversary of priesthood celebrated by my parish pastor, Fr. Thomas Chrunp, SVD, from Hungary. These two celebrations were at the root of my religious vocation. I often asked myself what the pastor and the Bishop would be doing. I didn’t understand, then, why the Bishop wore special vestments or how my parish pastor could be from such a faraway land.
As the years went by, I was able to better understand the meaning of religious life and to have more information on the religious congregations. In middle school, I was in contact with several Orders and then little by little the seed of my vocation began to grow. When I finished middle school, I entered the Diocesan Seminary of Saint Paul in Mataloko on the island of Flores, Indonesia, where there was a two-year course for vocational preparation for young men interested in becoming priests.
There, my vocational interest grew, however I could not decide on which Order to enter. Many representatives from various Orders came to our seminary to talk about vocations, etc. but I felt very confused and I could not make a decision. Like many of my companions, I had the possibility of entering a diocesan seminary or a religious congregation in Indonesia.
It was at this time that Fr. Luigi Galvani and Fr. Raul Uson, Camillian missionaries in the Philippines, came to our seminary to present the spirituality and charisma of their Order. That was my first contact with the Order founded by Saint Camillus. I did not speak English at the time, but that meeting was enough to give me the push I needed to make a decision. So, after reflecting and praying a lot, I decided to enter and in May 2000, along with 6 others I entered the Camillian Seminary in Manila (Philippines) to begin my formation.
During my first year, I took English classes and Philosophy with the Camillian seminarians at St. Camillus College in Marikina. In general, my companions and I were fine, although we did have some small difficulties, coming from another country and another culture. Yet, it has been an enriching and very maturing experience. With the help of Fr. Luigi and the other formation directors, I was able to strengthen my vocation as a Camillian. I have seen how God’s presence has truly lit my path in my vocation.
In the eight years spent in the houses of formation in Manila, the tiny seed of my vocation has grown a great deal. I feel obliged, therefore, to thank all those who have accompanied me in my spiritual path. I can say that I fall in love with the spirituality and charism of our founder, Saint Camillus, more and more each day. I am more than happy to visit the sick and I receive a great deal from them, in my interior life.
I am currently doing a year of pastoral work in the Saint Camillus Hospital in Calbayog, Samar, one of the poorest islands in the Philippines. Every year I visit the sick and carry out whatever services the community asks of me. Once this year is over and I take perpetual vows, I hope to receive the great joy of being able to work in starting the Camillians in my own country. I pray to Christ Crucified, that just as He inspired Saint Camillus to found this Institute, that He may also inspire the Filipino Province of the Camillians to found, as soon as possible the “Red Cross” of Saint Camillus in Indonesia. Signed: Alfons Oles, Indonesian Camillian.” (Agenzia Fides 1/8/2008)
