Al John Madrilejos Clet, 23 years old, is a Filipino seminarian residing in Pamplona, Spain, at the international seminary Bidasoa. He is in Spain studying third year of Theology at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra because his diocese has sent him to our country for training.
He belongs to the Diocese of Legazpi, Philippines, and tells how the flame of vocation was lit within him: "When I was a child, my grandmother always took me to church, she is a very religious woman and taught me what the Church is. I was very struck by the man who 'dressed in different colors at Mass’. Then, when I was 10 years old, I became an altar boy. That's when I learned a little more about the mission of this man who wore a chasuble and colors and who was the priest.
Afterwards, his mother enrolled him in the minor seminary school in his hometown to study primary school. Mª Teresa, a teacher and nurse at the University of Bicol (Tobacco Campus), thought it was a good school and, besides, it was close to the hospital where she works. She continued her studies at St. Gregory the Great Seminary up to the Baccalaureate.
Al John's father, Alex Madrilejos, is an overseas Filipino worker. His brother is studying computer engineering at the University of Bicol (Polangui Campus in the Philippines). And his sister is finishing high school at the University of Santo Tomas (Legazpi) and wants to become a doctor. Despite the distance, our seminarian feels the support of his whole family for his vocation.
With all this, Al John knew that his father had alternatives for his professional future if his vocation was not to be. "At the end of high school, I gave myself some time to think about whether I was going to pursue the path of the priesthood and enter the major seminary, already as a seminarian.
My father asked me if I wanted to continue, because he had a different plan for me. After months of prayer, I decided to continue at the Mater Salutis major seminary. My father did not hesitate to support my decision"Al John, the eldest of three siblings, says.
Thus, after completing four years of philosophy at the Mater Salutis major seminary of his diocese, his formators suggested that he continue his formation in Spain.
"I have to admit that I had a lot of doubts because the level of the University of Navarra is high, but also I have experienced that nothing is impossible for God", states.
Of his stay in the seminaries of his diocese, he has fond memories: many friends and great learning, not only academically, but also the discovery of some personal talents and hobbies such as music and sports. "And the most important thing: deep love and relationship with Jesus, something I am also learning at the Bidasoa International Seminary."
He is happy in Spain. For him, there are similarities in terms of the beliefs of our country and the Philippines since they were colonized. "I want to focus more on the religious practices that Spain has from the point of view of a Filipino. The liturgy is very nice, because here. things are present in Spain that we do not use in the PhilippinesThe deacon's dalmatic and the processional umbrella used when exposing the Sacrament," explains Al John.
He is attracted by the Spanish churches, which exude a peaceful atmosphere conducive to prayer and to attend Mass. "However, it saddens me a little when I see that the temples I have been to, especially in Madrid and Barcelona, are half-empty.not many people attend. And I ask myself: is it the result of secularization or a lack of faith of this generation?"confesses this young seminarian.
Al John prays and hopes that Spanish Catholics to have a deeper relationship with the Virgin Mary, to recover their Marian rootsbecause his faith has been steeped in Marian spirituality, and he has experienced that the relationship with the Lord passes through Mary.
"As part of a Mary-loving people, This veneration and relationship with our Mother helps us Filipinos to continue to live our faith under the maternal care of the Virgin Mary. It is a great help for vocations and especially for Spanish vocations. Spain must continue and preserve the faith that was once passed on to us Filipinos."
It is this Marian spirituality that he wishes to see take root more deeply in his diocese, Legazpi. Located in Region V, Bicol, it is led by the bishop Joel Z. Baylon and has 117 diocesan priests y 42 religious. It pastors 1,390,349 Catholics out of a total population of 1,487,322, or 93 % of Catholics.
The Diocese of Legazpi faces several challenges, among them the implementation of pastoral programs. Al John explains those challenges: "The ongoing Diocesan Pastoral Assembly (DPA) reflects efforts to align with our bishop's vision for the local church. Some reforms from the Second Vatican Council that remain unimplemented also need to be implemented. Another important challenge is the ratio of priests to faithful (1 priest for every 9,000 people)This limits pastoral care and makes it difficult to effectively reach all parishioners.
Another challenge, as in many places, is dealing with the secularism that also wreaks havoc in the Philippines. "The positive thing about my country is that Catholicism has a strong impact through popular devotions and processions, that are deeply rooted in the local culture. It is a pity, moreover, that many of the faithful only attend Mass at Christmas and Holy Week, neglecting Sundays," he laments.
But Al John is eager and enthusiastic to face a secularized society, dependent on technology, where truth is less sought after.
"More and more people are attracted to virtual reality and the screen in front of them. However, this can also be an advantage. Easy access to media can be an advantage. an effective platform for evangelizationAnd how are we going to do it? We must become a testimony of God's love", says this young seminarian.
For this great work, takes the early Christians and the apostles as a reference point.The first century, they became a living witness of Christ to the people, not only with words, but also through their efforts and actions to spread the good news.
For Al John, just as then, people discover Christ by what they see and hear. "Therefore, through these platforms, we become modern apostles by evangelizing virtual reality. showing God's love to reach people and their hearts. It is a great challenge, but with God's grace I believe it is possible.
To carry out his vocation and this great work of evangelization, he is preparing for the priesthood. For him, the first thing he must radiate is a shepherd's heart. "A shepherd's heart is both a guiding heart and an exemplary heart. A priest with a shepherd's heart is a guide for his people, through the sacraments, helping them to get closer to the true and good shepherd: Jesus," he says. Al John considers that a priest must render humble service in all areas of life.
"His service must be for all, and the presence of Christ must be made present in him through his humility and simple gestures. Jesus touches the person as a sign of great care and love. As Pope Francis says in his letter Dilexit Nos "it is essential to realize that our relationship with the person of Jesus Christ is one of friendship and adoration, drawn by the love represented under the image of his heart"."
Like all Bidasoa Seminoles, Al John is very grateful to the benefactors for the financial support that makes his studies and training in Spain possible. "Thank you for all the help you give us, you all give us the opportunity to train in incredible places like the University of Navarra. I pray for your intentions.
Marta Santín, Journalist specializing in religious information
