My testimony
After 55 years, I am still in love with Priesthood
Jean-Denis Tremblay P.M.E. |  |
The "Year for Priests" has just ended on June 10. In Rome, the Holy Father had a meeting with nearly 10 000 priests from around the world. It was the biggest ever gathering of clergy on this occasion, the closure of "Year for Priests." It is a nice occasion to talk about my 55th Anniversary of Priesthood.
Why I became a priest?
I chose to become a priest and missionary because God has called me at my early age. " Come and follow me".
I was an altar boy, serving mass early in the morning. I was dedicated and faithful to my obligation, to my assignment as Mass server. During all my studies. I was a daily Mass go-er.
I did not know, but God was preparing my vocation to become a priest.
The example of so many priests, of seminarians to the priesthood coming to our house helped me to develop my desire to become a priest. Once I told to my mother: " It seems that our house is the house of the clergy".
"We are not born priest but we prepare the ground, so the seed implanted by God in us will produce its fruits."
Early during my formation in College, I felt that God was calling me to a missionary life. The life of so many missionaries PME has touched my heart and I decided to become a PME. I fulfilled all the requirements in studying Theology and the other subjects.
At that time the "Société des Missions Étrangères" (Foreign Mission Society) had mission, working in China, Philippines, Cuba, Japan. My heartily desire and wish were to go to the Philippines. God has answered my prayers.
I arrived in the Philippines by ship in1956 and stayed there up to 1998.
I have spent 42 years in the Island of Mindanao, the south of the Philippines. I have worked in the 3 provinces of Davao: Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, first as assistant to the parish priest, and then as parish priest.
In 1998, I arrived in Hong Kong for the second part of my missionary life.
In 2005 I have had the joy and happiness to celebrate my Golden Jubilee, 50 years as a priest. This year 2010, I have the honor to celebrate my 55 years as a priest on July 3rd, and my 12 years in Hong Kong with the Evangelization Family (EF) and St. Mary's Catholic Group (SMCG).
According to the Holy Scriptures "You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5: 6)
I am happy to share with you my happiness. In recalling the past 55 years, there is no better way to thank God for all the graces and blessings that He has granted me.
All those years that God has given me to work in his vineyard were not in vain: thousand of Baptisms I have administered; feeding the people through the Word and the Eucharist; reconciliation of sinners with the Almighty God; union of couples in the sacrament of matrimony, helping the dying to face the heavenly Father, and so many things that carrnot be counted.
"Priests who like being priests are among the happiest men in the world". These were the words of Fr. Andrew Greeley, priest and sociologist.
In my life as priest, there were times of joy and happiness, and also there were times of sufferings and trials. Only my determination to my vocation keeps me to go on.
As Job said: If we receive good things from God, why can't we accept evil from him? (Job 2:10)
I am very happy and proud to be a priest-missionary. The most beautiful moment of my life was the day of my Ordination to the Priesthood in 1955. The next wonderful moment was my departure for the Philippines in 1956, the dream of my life. The third one was the celebration of my Golden Jubilee of Priesthood.
The canticle of Mary, "the Magnificat" is my prayer to the Lord.
"My heart praises the Lord: my soul is glad because of God my Savior, for he has remembered me, his lowly servant."
EF Newsletter July 3, 2010
Jean-Denis Tremblay P.M.E.
Spiritual Director