On June 1, 2024, a Mass was offered for all seminarians so that they will grow in holiness and lead us in love. As our future shepherds, the seminarians need our prayers, and what a beautiful way for the children throughout the world to support these men called by God. Many people throughout the world have been inspired by the vocation stories we are featuring each month, and so we gratefully continue publishing our featured seminarians’ stories. This month, we introduce Jayron Pilante, an incoming seminarian from the Province of Aklan in the Philippines.
Hey there! My name is Jayron Pilante, an incoming seminarian at Saint Paul Seminary in Silang Cavite. I’m 21 years old, and I’m from the Parish of Saint Joseph the Worker in Malay, Aklan, in which I had established a Children’s Rosary Group way back in October of 2017.
My Vocation Story:
So, where do I begin? Way back when I was a young child growing up …I would watch certain TV shows on the Catholic faith such as EWTN or any local shows on the faith. I can clearly recall that certain times when TV Mass would be on air, I would get my blanket, put it on myself, and would follow the ways that the priest was doing in the Holy Mass such as the consecration. Looking back, I have laughed about it because a child who would play as a priest was an unusual thing (maybe I was around 6 or 7 years old). Being a priest has always been my number one dream.
In high school, I had a very rough time because of certain obstacles in life, but I came out of it strongly and boldly. When I was 15 years old, I began a Children’s Rosary in my parish. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit after watching the Children’s Rosary and browsing on the website, I was fascinated to help in making children as prayer warriors for our world. In addition at this time, I had been active in serving the Lord in His Church as an altar server, catechist, choir member, and many more. This also boosted my faith in the Lord.
The turning point came when I started college. This is when the “calling” of the Lord began to show its presence. I attended college at the Aklan Catholic College in Kalibo, Aklan, and I took Education as my course. There were sleepless nights, and I had the feeling of no satisfaction in what I was doing. So, like any other days after school or if I had the opportunity, I would go to the Adoration Chapel beside the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Kalibo, Aklan. I clearly remember the day, December 7, 2023, and without knowing the time, I knelt, cried and prayed for almost three hours due to my confusion of my heart in wanting to become a priest. And so I asked the Lord for a sign and to have passing grades in college.
I was using social media when I came upon an advertisement for Saint Paul Seminary. The Society of Saint Paul known as Paulines, a religious congregation consisting of priests, brothers and sisters, was founded by Blessed James Alberione with aims to proclaim the good news of God through the means of technology. There was a feeling of mine that this congregation may be the one, for I want to help evangelize the Good News with the help of modern means of communication. I took my entrance exam, and thanks to the good Lord, I was able to pass and will begin my formation at the Seminary on July 10, 2024 at Silang, Cavite.
I’m asking for your prayers that I will persevere, and if it’s God’s will, that soon I will be one of his shepherds to guide his flock. Maraming Salamat po!
