EAO, 08 October 2024 -- During 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition last September 29, 2024, our EAO region has sent 6 missionaries. After presenting the first two from Vietnam Province, we present the missionary from the Philippines North Province (FIN).
I am Fr. Enrico Mercado, recently ordained as a priest on May 24, 2024. During my initial formation, I had several encounters with missionaries who were edifying that I found something mysteriously attractive about their life. These missionaries inspire me on how they can abandon everything to be available and to go wherever God would lead them to, even if the life that awaits them is tough and demanding. It seems like they have “nothing”, but actually they have “everything” that they ever hoped for and that is to see and be with Jesus in the people entrusted to them in the mission land. This is the kind of holiness that I deeply admire. And so, after attentive discernment, I wrote my application letter to be a missionary and was accepted.
This was a surprise for some because I was not so vocal about my desire to become a missionary. My family has always been very supportive of whatever decision I make, and I thank and appreciate them a lot for that.
As I prepare to leave for the Africa Meridionale (AFM) Province which includes South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, I resolve to try my best to be open and embrace the new culture and people that I would be encountering.
I entrust my missionary life to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the guidance of our Blessed Mother from whom I will gain my strength to face the challenges ahead of me.
