Moses is a profound figure in the Old Testament, called by God while tending to his father-in-law’s flock, illustrating how divine calls often emerge amid our daily lives. Despite his initial doubts about his abilities, Moses was reassured by God’s promise: “I will be with you.” This narrative reminds us that our vocations, especially in priestly and religious life, are filled with challenges, yet our commitment to a genuine relationship with God is crucial for overcoming them.
Fr. Fausto Gomez OP concludes the fourth and final part of his series with deep gratitude for God’s enduring grace. Reflecting on 60 years of priesthood, he emphasizes that his vocation has been sustained by love, prayer, compassion, and hope. As his journey continues, Fr. Fausto reminds us that, in the evening of life, we will be examined on love – the guiding principle of our lives.
In the third part of his reflection, Fr. Fausto Gomez OP shares the challenges and dangers he faced throughout his Dominican journey. From near-expulsions to grappling with doubts about his vocation, Fr. Fausto reflects on the mercy of God, the prayers of his mother, and the grace that sustained him through it all. He acknowledges the post-Vatican II struggles many religious faced, including the temptation to leave, but he remained steadfast, recognizing that his perseverance is not due to personal merit, but to God’s continual guidance and grace.
Fr. Fausto Gómez OP recounts his second phase as a Dominican missionary, reflecting on his time in Manila and Macau. After teaching for over four decades at the University of Santo Tomas, where he advocated for bioethics and social justice, Fr. Fausto continued his mission in Macau. Despite facing challenges of adjustment, he remained dedicated to teaching moral theology and contributing to the local Catholic community through his regular column in O Clarim. His pastoral outreach extended across Asia, with a focus on Dominican formation, teaching the importance of community life, prayer, study, and preaching for the salvation of humanity.
In the first of a four-part series on the vocation of Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP, the Dominican priest reflects on his journey from a small town in Avila in Spain to his 86th birthday, celebrated on December 4, 2023. With gratitude, Fr. Fausto thanks God not only for the gift of life but also for his Dominican vocation, which has sustained him for 61 years since his ordination.
Fr. Franz Gassner, SVD, reflects on his journey from an Austrian farm to becoming a missionary priest in Macau. Through faith, studies, and global experiences, he discovered his vocation. Now an Associate Professor at the University of Saint Joseph, he emphasizes the Church’s role in offering hope and unity across cultures.
In highly restrictive and male-oriented cultures, the belief that “women are less worthy than men” has seeped deep into women’s unconscious, so that experiencing the liberating message of the gospel requires greater effort and openness. It is important that religious institutes provide an integral human and spiritual formation for their members to help them develop their gifts and potentials and realize their “feminine genius” in serving the Church.
It is only in the absence of priests that we are able to fathom the vital role that they play in our salvation. As human and weak as they are, they are still indomitable instruments of God’s grace. It is our duty as lay Catholics to sacrifice and pray for them.
A vocation to the priesthood is a special call. It is one that is embraced through discernment and a rigorous regimen of prayer and study. Only perseverance and an earnest desire to serve God and man can lead to authentic priesthood.
Not every religious vocation follows the same route. Some take longer than others to answer the call. Some are more prepared than others. The beauty of God’s love is that He is always there to meet us and guide us patiently and gently toward His mission for us.