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On The Wings Of My Dream In The Greater Scheme Of Things
Transition. Evolution. Vocation!
A Thirty Year Journey of Heeding The Call
by Seminarian Jhoen B. Buenaventura
OTWOMD Guest Blogger
for “The Voice” series
Discovery of one?s unique calling can be like a roller coaster ride, a trek that can truly make or break someone depending on the authenticity of his or her quest. Mine took thirty years of colorful journey? My earliest recollection of attraction to the priesthood was during my early years in the primary grade. I was eight years old when I became a choir member and altar server and it was at this point when my passion for service all started. As a young boy, the enticement to the ordained ministry was basically superficial. It was all about fascination to priests ? i.e., their garments, their work, etc. But I never realized that it was already God?s creative hands at work?
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My vocation got its primary nurturance from my family. My parents have inculcated in my heart and mind the value of prayer, love, sacrifice, and responsibility. Because of this, my active involvement in the church flourished until I was in secondary school, in various capacities as a youth leader.
At age 16, with all the idealism and high hopes of a teenager, I tried to respond to God?s invitation by becoming an aspirant of a religious congregation. I thought I was ready and it was God?s appointed time. But after a year, my formators decided otherwise. I was not accepted to the next stage of formation. I was still emotionally unprepared.
That experience was painful and humbling. Having lived in the environment of highly supportive and caring people, where ?praises? and ?claps? are guaranteed whenever I would perform admirably, I became so strongly externally-referented in my undertakings. It created in me an unconscious expectation that failures are unacceptable and that the world would only understand and offer their ?claps? whenever I would have achievements, and only through that I could sustain. Hence, relentless ?proving?, for the longest time, was the game I played which led to restlessness in various forms. But true enough, every sad event has an underlying gift. It made my voyage more grounded, meaningful and empowering. It also compelled me to humbly invite myself to STOP, LOOK (inside) and LISTEN. Anchored on God?s love and mercy, I listened conscientiously! The best message I heard was ?to take responsibility over myself, even without the ?claps? that the world offers? and that I had to ?consciously exert effort to develop my solid sense of self?. Ergo, ?giving me power from within? so I could carry on despite the failures. Whew!… A big transition indeed. But, the million-dollar-question is: “Was it an easy and short process” Definitely NOT! I was around 17 years of age when it happened and it took me another 13 more years to unearth heaps and heaps of ?gold mines? deep within my very soul. They were just waiting for me to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. Just like the great Greek mathematician Archimedes who, according to legend, shouted ?eureka!? when he solved a particularly vexing problem posed to him by King Hieron II, there were ?eureka? moments that transpired in my journey, with all their accompanying twists and turns? many of them.
After the experience, I surmised that priesthood was not for me but life had to move on. While pursuing college, the zeal for service continued, especially in my active linkage to the parish where I belong. I became a catechist for a secondary public school and a member of a Catholic renewal community called Singles for Christ. I was an active member of the latter for 10 years, serving the Church through active evangelization particularly to the single and young professionals.
My exposure to the ?real world? expanded too. I tested my niche in the corporate arena for about six years and I liked it. I thought I found my place under the sun. I was employed as a Senior Training Officer for at least two real estate companies where I got my exposures in training, management, marketing, coaching, etc. It was also at this time in my life when I had the taste of getting into a romantic relationship. After five years, it almost led into marriage. But God, in His most creative and unimaginable ways, tested the resiliency of my faith once more. I started to become restless (for the nth time) and felt the deep desire for priesthood again. After a prayerful discernment and sessions of ?quarrel? with God, I had to make the formidable decision of letting go of the beautiful relationship I had with my girlfriend. It neither was straightforward nor devoid of any complication. But just the same, I faced it head on! I chose to re-consider God?s summon to serve Him as an ordained minister.
I moved on re-discovering my real passion. I chose to evolve into a person always ready and willing to take any necessary change that would lead me to my final destination. More than ever, I became cognizant even to the ?writings on the wall?.
My involvement in the church became stronger and more ardent especially as a youth leader. I started to see more clearly the many challenges that the church faces especially in the diocese where I now belong. If as a young boy my attraction to the ordained ministry was shallow and external, in time, it has evolved into something far different from what I could imagine. I have realized that indeed, priesthood transcends rituals and sacraments. It demands a selfless and matured choice of responding to God?s invitation to be a shepherd of His flock and lead them to be reunited with Him.
It is in this light that I continued my faith journey. With the guidance of spiritual directors and priest-friends, I started attending ?search-in? sessions and vocation discernment seminars with the hope of becoming more enlightened with the choice I made. More so, my involvement in transformation work, counseling and life coaching, through Reintegration for Care & Wholeness Foundation, strengthened my desire to serve God and His people more and more. Everything has been rooted from the conscious desire to LIVE, to LOVE and to SERVE which I consider now as a personal mission.
Confucius, in his version of the ages of man, said, ?At 30, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.? That is exactly what happened to me. When I turned 30, I felt that the right time had come for me to finally take the leap of faith and declare my ?Fiat? to God. After all the necessary protocols associated with application for seminary formation, I left for Rome in 2005 to pursue my theological studies. I am now 32. Next year, please God, I am expecting to be ordained as a deacon; then, as a priest, when I return to the Philippines in 2009.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is right when he said, ?Consciousness is the basis of all life and the field of all possibilities. Its nature is to expand and unfold its full potential. The impulse to evolve is thus inherent in the very nature of life.?
Without the awareness of my own transitions and evolutions, and integrating their gifts in my being, I would not have discovered the beauty of my own calling? my vocation, which now gives me an authentic and deep source of peace and joy.
(*Ed’s Note: most of the priests and seminarians’ education abroad are supported by their own respective Dioceses and Religious Orders and some generous benefactors contradictory to the popular negative notion that the money of the church are used for the vested interest of priests and bishops. They are sent for further studies abroad to enhance and cultivate their learning so that someday, they may have something to share to their parishioners. After their studies, (which to others seemed like luxury, but in truth is a sacrifice), they are bound forever to their duties as servants of God, LIVING, LOVING and SERVING for the church wherever their mission takes them. Special call to Rino, Felmar, Selvo, Vince and Dom, May dumagdag na sa atin dito sa blogosphere na kadugo natin hehe 
)
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Oweng as he is fondly called by his friends and family, studied at EARIST-Special Science High School in Manila and took his AB Philosophy course at Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. Presently he is taking his Theological studies at the famous Pontificio Collegio Beda in Rome and at the University of Wales-Lampeter in United Kingdom. He is not just an ordinary Seminarian but also a counselor and training consultant. He is a member of the CFC-Singles for Christ: San Juan and Italy Chapter and an active affiliate of Philippine Society for Training & Development (PSTD), RCW Foundation Inc., Visions & Breakthroughs Int’l. (VBI), National Union of Students (NUS-UK), and Kapisanan ng mga Seminarista sa Bataan (BAKAS). When he is not busy burning his eyebrows for his priestly studies, Jhoen finds time in Reading books, tweaking his computer, listening to music and singing videoke songs. He has a knack for Public speaking, facilitating workshops, designing computer graphics, counseling, photography, psychology and of course, blogging. He is also a member of our Seminarian Friendster Group wherein we met and befriended each other. Like most of my online seminarian friends, I never met Jhoen personally. We just happen to befriend each other because of our common heritage as seminarians. I guess it’s a seminarian thing. Jhoen somehow fulfilled my long time dream of studying in Rome (which is why the header banner of OTWOMD features the St.Peter’s Basilica). He actually fulfilled it for me and knowing him is the closes thing that I’ll ever get to my dream. You can read more of Jhoen’s thoughts and journeys at his Personal Blog.
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Kapatid, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT! As I’ve told you in my SMS, I’m still overwhelmed right now so I’ll just speak to you soon. KUDOS! Dio ti benedica sempre!
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Essa è un modo di testimoniare la fede che altri sono attratti la voce del Signore.
Voi lo meritano fratello. La tua storia è così emozionante che lo scrivere mi ha fatto piangere. Mi ricordo la mia vocazione. Mi perdono per il mio cattivo italiano. Ho appena appreso da un corso di un sacerdote amico.
Pace e bene caro fratello.
PS. Potete rispondere qui se ci sono persone che si riferiscono a voi o chiedere a loro osservazioni. Prego vivamente che questo attirerà vocazioni.
bluepanjeet’s last blog post..Transition? Evolution? Vocation!
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
Hello Jhoen,
It is good to hear from you. I read your interesting story. Ang bilis ng panahon parang kahapon lang tayo magka meeting, ngayon ilang sandali na lang tapos ka na sa studies mo dyan.
[...]
I hope to see you when you return to the Philippines. Take care and regards.
Marie
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
well done Jo, it’s very well written mate.x
have a good day
Best and Blest
Roberto
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(re-posted from Jhoen?s e-mail)
Hi Jhoen. I told Me-an about your “deacon” admission next year. What month ba yon? I told her we will go to that important event. Let me know so Me-an can schedule it. Thanks.
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
Well done Oweng, I enjoyed yor story. the title has a touch of Sr Eileen. Pax bonum.
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Hello Kuya Jhoen!
Your story is so inspiring. Your strong faith leads you to the way… whisch is Jesus! Hope your beautiful story will open the hearts and minds of those people who’s still searching… and deepen the faith of those seminarians. And with you, may you lead the way…
I’m so glad that you’re so blessed. Hope when we meet again… I can call you Father Jhoen! Keep the faith always. God speed!
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I hope I could witness your ordination as a priest. I always include you in my prayers. I do hope you would hold on to HIS hands until the end. May HE perpetually bless you and your vocation!
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Well done Oweng, I enjoyed your story. The title has a touch of Sr Eileen. Pax bonum.
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niceeee!ang TALAMBUHAY NI JHOEN BUENAVENTURA ba ito???????????
hahaha!we love you
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(re-posted from original SMS)
Jhoen, i chk ur voc story s website. Naiiyak ako. [...] Thanks!
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
Waaaaaaaaaaaaw! Clap,clap,clap,clap,clap,clap
naintriga ako dun sa part ng romantic relationship — that almost led to marriage??? parang di ko alam yun ha!
[...]
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
Ako din… clap, clap, clap, clap! With matching standing oblation pa ha, este ovation pala!
Grabe kapatid, nagnosebleed ako sa blog mo! Ang husay! Very inspiring indeed! Forward din natin sa mother egroup, it’s really worth sharing and worth reading! [...]
Ano ka ba Nangski, bakit di mo alam yang romantic chuva ni Padre? Bakit sa akin parang namention nya yan? [...]
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WOW! Ang lalim nire! Naka-open ang M-W.com ko while reading this…LOL!
Kidding aside, it’s really an inspiring story. Puno ng puso. Thank you for sharing.
angelofthewaters’s last blog post..It Started With A Kiss 2 (They Kiss Again) – Update
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(re-posted from original Friendster message)
I Stopped, Looked, and Listened…
I just read ur message and article in the web… I was sooo touched, moved, and inspired by your life. It stirred God’s calling in my heart (as it still brings a tear in my eye as I type this). By reading your article, you have made a difference for me as I move to center myself once again on Him. You are truly remarkable.
May God be with you always!
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I am truly humbled with your very kind words. Everything is grace! May God be praised!
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
Hi Jhoen, I checked out your blog as a guest at bluepanjeet. Your story is awesome. I never knew that you made that journey. It was inspiring as you promised it would be. I wish you all the very best for you Diaconate Ordination. Do you remember that it was at this time when I was preparing for the diaconate that we first met in the Beda. [...]
Anyways all the very best to you for a wonderful year ahead and choicest of God’s blessings as you prepare to commit your self more definatively at the end of the academic year. [...] Ciao Amico
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Jhoen, mio fratello
hahahahahaaha!
Ho letto il vostro email e stavo ridendo di ultima parte. Risponderò domani alla vostra lettera. stasera studio tranquillo. Siete una creatura meravigliosa di Dio. Abbastanza dei sentimenti. Aspett giusto il mio email.
Ancora spiacente per l’italiano difettoso. Devo usare l’italiano perché la non desidero i miei lettori filipino conoscere che cosa “seminarians” stiamo parlando tranne naturalmente se sanno parlare uno.
Pace e tutto il buon il mio fratello.
bluepanjeet’s last blog post..My Ronito and Ronita
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Thanks loads angelofthewaters. I’m truly touched by your kind words. You gave me a good laugh too when you commented “Naka-open ang M-W.com ko while reading this…” LOL.
I quickly browsed your weblog earlier and I should say that I liked it. Very catchy heading. I hope to view more of it next time. Keep well. God bless!
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Thanks my dear friend Alona! I need those prayers and support. It would be great if you’ll be present on that ‘big day’, God-willing. Stay blessed! Prayers promised.
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Maraming salamat Emerson!
I am also inspired by your very touching comments.
Keep the faith as well!
Prayers promised.
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i’ll never forget the day we met, i’m glad you found god, i’m happy you’ve searched within, thanks for always keeping in touch and sharing your story… i hope to see you in Rome next year, God bless always, the world is small and my heart will always find you…
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Dear “Orange Lily”, THANK YOU! I have some hint as to who you are but I might be wrong anyhow. Let’s leave it at that… mysteries gives life more excitement at times. God bless you!
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(re-posted from Jhoen’s e-mail)
On your vocation story, i can simply say….Wow! God’s ways are truly mysterious.
And time flies so fast, by 2009, with the help of God, you will be ordained as a deacon, and as a priest.
And congratulations last November 23 pala, officially admitted as a Candidate for ordination ka na. Wow! Sige, ipagpatuloy mo yan. Ingat lagi
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Jhoen,
I am very happy about your VERRRYYYY Inspiring vocation story. Gosh! time is too fast..You, are going to be a deacon now, then later a FULLY ORDAINED PRIEST. I do miss a lot ang kulitan nyo ni Susan G. sa RCW. Anyway, time changes.
Presently, I Thank you for your prayers; for I am back at my feet, having frequent meetings and discernment again with my Spiritual Direcor and attending mass again for the past 1 year now. I even, was able to get myself a Bible, that I once throw away… Thanks for letting me know about your blog. WAY TO GO!
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(re-posted from original Friendster message)
Inspiring!!!… Wow! wheew…dear God thank you for your presence,thank you for inspiring me through the vocation story of bro jhoen, teach by your grace to live, love, and serve you and my neighbors…Praise be the Holy Name of Jesus!..
Pax et Bonum..
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To: Fr. Chris, Orange Lily, Wendy, Maricris, Padz,
MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Nakakataba ng puso ang inyong mga komento.
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Hi Frat Jhoen!
At last I read your vocation story..At first,iam very hesitant to do so coz i tried opening it many times but the web was denying my request.I was moved by your journey story
same with the song attached to it.keep on inspiring people and keep the good samaritan in you!We are praying for your perseverance to go thru whatever it takes.In behalf of pinoy christian community in Saudi Arabia,AS-SALAM ALAIKOM Frat Jhoen! 
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(re-posted from original Friendster message)
Frat,i was moved by the song you included in you post. I was really crying while reading your vocation story with song accompaniment. Shameful to say but that is true. I felt the same way when I was a kid but I ignored it coz I thought it was just a wrong signal. I enjoyed working in altar too and during my high school days I was active member of Children of Mary. Keep inspiring people. God bless you frat! I am blessed to have people like you… [...]
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Let us continue to pray for one another.
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Many THANKS Michael, Owence & KR.
God bless you all mga kapatid!
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Jhoen,
Pax tecum! Great work of faith! Medyo naging busy lang these recent weeks. Na-ospital si tatay but he is well now and also in the process of transition for he is about to retire from his work. I think his last day in the company will be on the 10th of January next year. Please include him and my mother also in your prayers one early morning for their peace of mind and heart and for their healing also.
Kitakits na lang…
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Great story Jhoen!
We will continue to pray for you!
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Maraming salamat kapatid na Benmon! More prayers for your parents… PAX!
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Thanks Xavy!
Best regards to Tito, Tita & Des.
Kisses to your baby.
Will I see you in Norway next July?
CIAO! GOD BLESS!
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[...] Transition, Evolution, Vocation! by Sem. Jhoen Buenaventura Stumble it! [...]
[...] 3. And Lastly, Jhoen Buenaventura will finally have his Diaconal Ordination on June 30, 2008 in the Diocese of Mariveles. Monsignor Socrates Villegas will officiate the event and I hope some of our fellow sems and exsems will attend Jhoen’s special day so that our planned talent search for Videoke King would push thru haha (Calling Brother Utoy and Felmar! LOL). Jhoen studied in Rome at the Pontificio Collegio Beda in Rome Italy and will finally come home this June to prepare (not for the Videoke King) but for his ordination. Syempre may mga retreat pa yan kaya dapat pag attend ko mahawahan ako ni Jhoen ng kanyang kabanalan. Isn’t it weird that most of my friends are inside thedformation while i am still here outside? Kaya nga itong blog ko ay walang kamatayang “on The Wings Of My Dream” kasi baka sakali matupad ang mga pangarap ko kahit mukhang nawawala na ako sa kalendaryo. (Jhoen was the second guest blogger for OTWOMD’s “The Voice” Series) [...]
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