Because the Philippines, which has always been the country in Asia with the largest number of Catholics, is going through a difficult time: "Today there is a dramatic increase in the number of followers of sects, including Freemasonry," he says with a touch of sadness.
Carlo Emmanuel, the eldest of three siblings (one girl and one boy) recalls that evangelization in the Philippines has never been easy since the early days of Christianity. In fact, the first Filipino Christians were persecuted and sacrificed their lives for their faith. However, despite the challenges and difficulties of evangelization, "a glimmer of hope shines subtly through the quiet works of dedicated pastors in every parish, at least in my diocese."he expresses with emotion.
For this young seminarian it is possible to bear witness to the faith and evangelize through good example in exercising and professing our faith. "The Lord enables us to do good and to collaborate with Him, doing good to others. He grants us the grace to rise from every fall caused by sin. It is time to be an inclusive Church, because the Lord has saved all mankind".
And good example and witness is what the youth of the 21st century, and specifically those of the Philippines, are looking for. Because for Carlo, "Filipino youth are always looking for integrity. They crave good examples of unwavering faith. They allow themselves to be persuaded by beautiful words that manifest themselves in action. If adults lose this integrity and rely solely on empty or sugar-coated words, young people will not believe. In addition, they need companionship. Accompanying young people has always been the right way to genuinely understand them".
Carlo Emmanuel knows the youth of the Philippines well. And for this reason, he has some very beautiful keys to bring young people closer to God that are valid for everyone:
"I speak as part of the youth, because I have witnessed numerous wounds that young people carry from family problems, from school or due to misunderstandings from their friends. This is not just a problem unique to the Filipino youth, but affects youth in general all over the world."
From his experience, Carlo tells how his priestly vocation matured thanks to a good shepherd who accompanied him on his journey. "For me, it is a gift from God. Every day is an opportunity to do things well, to be faithful in prayer, study and in living with others."
But in his younger years, he never even imagined this option in his life. Although he considered his family to be religious, entering church every Sunday was a weekly struggle for him. His childhood dream was to be a teacher, as he always looked up to his teachers since his days in the kindergarten. "They had something special that made learning interesting, a kind of art that attracted us to listen. For me, educating is the noblest profession of all."
In the summer of 2014, his best friend from high school invited him to join the altar server group. "A year being an altar server was an interesting experience. I learned a lot about liturgy, discipline, devotion, friendship, humility and obedience."
Later that year, he saw a Facebook post published by the diocesan seminary advertising a scouting program for young men to see and experience seminary life. He ignored it, but a light went on for his pastor. "He asked me if I was interested in joining the program. I told him no. However, he repeated and encouraged me by saying that I would not be alone because four other fellow parishioners would also join. The other three were my colleagues in the ministry. So he convinced me and I started the program."
That year he was in tenth grade and his parents asked him about college studies. But his mind was already on the seminary. When it was time to enroll in college, he told his parents that he wanted to enter the seminary.
"They refused my wish. So, I told my struggle to my parish priest. He told me to pray and not to worry. In the end, I was allowed to enter the seminary for a year. We had an agreement. After one year in the seminary, I was told to leave and study another course.. But my first year in the seminary was the happiest day of my life.. This was in 2016, I was 16 years old," he recalls.
Finally, his parents accepted the vocation to which he had been called. Now, he happily expresses that his priestly vocation is purifying his parents' vocation to married life and the family has become much more united.
"Little by little, I noticed the conversion of the family. Every time I went home for family weekend, we prayed the rosary after dinner. I believe that, by God's grace through good works in every vocation, it helps in the improvement of the person and the healing of every wound of the past."
The conversion of his family and the maturation of his vocation, not only in the would have been possible without prayer and accompaniment.
Carlo Emmanuel dy Cabristante wishes to conclude his testimony with a request: to pray for world peace. "We live in a contemporary world where faith often seems meaningless; acts of sacrifice seem meaningless. However, with God's help, through His infinite mercy and grace, we journey alongside those who suffer greatly due to war, through prayers and acts of charity. We could find ourselves in their situation, but only through faith in Jesus Christ can we endure every circumstance and be saved by Him."
Marta SantínJournalist specializing in religious information.
