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Noel Oco - Vancouver Seminarian
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I had never really thought of becoming a priest before. Although I was an active Catholic since my early youth, priesthood was not something I was dreaming to be, until one day...
After high school, what bothered me was not having an option at all but by having too many options to choose from. First, I thought I wanted to be a Social Worker, which I pursued through various volunteer jobs in the community. After that, I studied and worked for a year in a Telecommunications business communications department. Finally, I joined the Canadian Forces Army Armored Reconnaissance Reserve Unit for the next three years. I thought that was it, but life is indeed full of surprises!
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Even though my faith to our Lord Jesus Christ was always with me, I was the one in charge of my life, buckled tightly at the driving seat while He sat patiently to accompany me over the passenger-side. I had a map in one hand while the other was on the steering wheel, pretending to know where I was going, planning the best short cuts in life. Then, one night, I realized that I was driving my life in circles; it felt like I have already been around the block and back. I had to stop and park the car to gather myself together. Then I went around to the other side of the car to open the door as I knelt on the ground, offered to Him the key to my life, and invited Him to be on the driving seat. From then on, He had brought me to different new heights I never thought existed. It was the beginning of a total joyride.
Months later, during the Christmas winter holidays, I got up unusually early from bed for some reason that day with an urging sense to attend a Tuesday Mass for the first time. Not wanting to be late, I ran quickly to my parish at St. Joseph's in Port Moody, which was only a few blocks from where I used to live. However, when I got there at 7 a.m. the door was still locked. Totally confused, I decided to wait for a while outside the porch, walking back and forth asking God where He was driving me now. After a few minutes, suddenly the door slowly opened and out came a lady, who saw my silhouette from the glazed window from the inside of the church while she was cleaning the pews. I greeted her and proceeded inside, but she said that the Mass was not until 7:30 not a.m. but p.m.! I was bewildered. She smiled and said that I should talk to Fr. Augustine Obiwumma our pastor. I hesitated to follow her suggestion thinking it was still too early for the priest. But a few steps later, I found myself in front of the rectory ringing the doorbell. To my surprise, Fr. Augustine was already wide awake with a big smile on his face as if he was waiting for me. Wasting no time, I started sharing how wonderful God was working in my life for the next several minutes, non stop, while he patiently listened. When I finally decided to pause in order to catch my breath, Fr. Augustine innocently interjected and asked, "Have you ever thought of entering the seminary, and study for the priesthood?" Silence suddenly swept the scene. Just like a solid statue, I was stunned and felt that the whole world stood struck, equally surprised at the question. Strange as it may seem but from that moment on a deep sense of peace conquered my restless heart. This was immediately followed by a rush of random thought like quickly putting together all the pieces of a puzzle into their proper places that gave me a glimpse of a portrait as a priest ... To say the least, I only smiled at the question for I choked and no word was coming out of my mouth. I walked away from that encounter feeling light as a feather.
A month later, day after day, the question persistently echoed in my soul like drops of cooling water. This prompted me to attend all the daily Masses, seven times a week to pray, pray, and pray some more, trying to give all the excuses to God about my scrupulous unworthiness to respond to His calling.
However, as the days went by, the grace of inexpressible bursting flame of joy kept on burning more intensely inside me. At one point, I knew I could not resist this mysterious gladness anymore. To make the long story short, the first time I walked into the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission that September school year, the same quiet peaceful assurance followed me. I knew somehow that I was at the right place at the right time. Now, after three years the joyful journey continues ...Thanks be to God.
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