By Asp. Jaerove Neil M. Castillo
Canlubang, Phlippines, November 1, 2015 - It all started by visiting the Blessed Sacrament in the Stella Maris Chapel in Caritas Don Bosco School.
I remember it was the year 2011 – 2012, and in that time I’m just a newly freshmen or First year High School. My section in that time was 1st Year – Becchi and I remember and realized that Becchi is the place that Don Bosco was born, but I just realized that thing when I was 4th year High School.Then after I left my bad friends, I approach one of my classmates in Becchi that, If I can join eating with them during recess and lunch time and he replied “Yes you may”. After how many days, I’m always joining with them instead of joining my old friends that are bad influence to me. In those days, while we are always together with his friends, in the same section which is Becchi. We are always eating and being together. And they suggested that we should have a group name to be special and known. We are called “Sticks n’ Stones”. And when time passes, they introduced me the Blessed Sacrament and its Jesus. They also introduced and told me that we will always visit the Blessed Sacrament, before going to classes, recess, lunch, and dismissal. *And with that practice, my faith became stronger because of them who introduced me*. And also with that, I became more attentive and often serving the mass being a Knights of the Altar (KOA).
When I was a 2nd year High School, in the years 2012 - 2013, many things happened to me: hardships, problems, crush problems, friends’ problems, family problems and many others. But that time one of my friends, Reese, introduced me more to the Blessed Sacrament and with that he wanted to become a priest. He is very inspired by contact with our Salesian Brothers that are always visiting us every Friday because of our youth group or club. And those times we met one Salesian Brother named was Cl. John Quincy, SDB. We always asked him to share with us words of wisdom. And so we learned and share with him about God, Gospel, Jesus, and Wisdom. And with these my friends we formed a group “The Brothers”.
During the 3rd year high school, this is the time that I always pushed to think about my future, because next year I must already choose what course I should take. “The Brothers” were always pushing me to be a priest and I can’t stop thinking of that because Priesthood really struck me. And those days, I was really curious and waiting to be 4th year to try seminary too, no other choice but seminary in Canlubang. Then my “Brothers” became 16 members and they also help me to think about it too. I always pray the Rosary every day due to lack of finances for my enrollment. And with that, my faith became stronger and stronger than before. Then suddenly, one night, my mother went home telling me that She already enrolled me, we just need books, notebooks and other materials and School Service, and with that I was very happy why? Because I really prayed the Rosary every day and will help me to enroll in Canlubang Don Bosco Seminary.
Then August 2014 came, I ask Bro. John Mark, our club animator of KOA. He introduced me to the Brother vocation in charge in their community. In September 2014 I met him in the AVR for the instruction on how to get in the Seminary. In that time, one of my friend became curious on where will I go and I just told him that I will try seminary and suddenly he also joined with me and called other friends that wanted also to try the seminary and they are seven.
In September 2014 we tried the Seminary for 3 days two times. After those 3 days, all of us became inspired by all of the people in the seminary because we taught so many things especially the time management, the prayers, the mass and the “Serve the Lord, With Holy JOY!” At the time of our Graduation came, I knew that I was the only one who will enter the seminary among those 7 who tried in September. And all of my classmates and friends are saying goodbye and good luck to me for entering the Seminary in Canlubang. And they will pray for us as requested. Some of them told me that I will be the priest for their Wedding and Baptism for their children. And with that we all just realized that I am the first one that will enter the Seminary coming from Caritas Don Bosco School in Santa Rosa Laguna. Wow, and the sisters and teacher are very happy for me because I’m the first one in the School and will enter the Seminary.
Then later I spent a good time with my classmates for the last time before I go to the Seminary, before I leave and have a new life. After that night, I realized when I was about to sleep, that my PRAYERS are really answered and granted by Mamma Mary. Not only granted but she also added more blessings to my prayer and she really knows what is the best for me and them even though that was unplanned and unexpected. And there, my faith to Mary began and started to grow and as I entered the Seminary.
Jaerove entered the Canlubang Careno Aspirantate last June 2015 and is studying in the Don Bosco Canlubang College with other 35 Aspirants and Prenovices.
