Testimonies - Fr. Lui Santi, CPPS

Several times I have tried tracing my vocation to its origin. It was in God's love when I existed before I came to be.

Through my parents' example and the parish youth group I was searching for values to live by, community service and simplicity was the core for being a pilgrim on earth.

As I grew these values became essential and important. They were anchors that helped me to grow in my faith. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood helped me feel the need to live out the Gospel and the need to get involved, how beautiful is the church of God where everyone has their charism/gifts for the good of all an a place in the master plan of God.

Did I have the gift of a vocation to be a religious/priest? I began soul searching to that inner spot where only you and God can go. I couldn't get rid of the feelings/thoughts even though I kept trying... the idea of vocation haunted me for years.

The day of my Final Incorporation was like 'preaches and cream'. Later that bliss was to turn into blisters. But everything of value has a price. I've had my triumphs but also my own garden of Gethsemane. If I had to do it all over again I would do the same thing with all the ups and down. I have no regrets. It has been a very happy life.

I find a tremendous amount of consolation in the support and encouragement given to me by my parishioners, member of my religious community, and God's gentle hand guiding/leading me along. The greatest reward is dealing with people's lives, being able to guide someone spiritually from embryonic stages to an ongoing conversion, because we are never completely finished with knowing God. It is a perennial call for all pilgrims.

Trusting in God is taking a good look at whatever arrives as a gift of life and bearing them well even though I do not understand their sizes. Trusting in God is a risk to seek His presence in each and everything that comes my way. This could be possible with prayer. Prayer enables me to see God's goodness in my ministry and also to discern the gifts. There are days that I can see before me what God is doing and has done. I may not be qualified for all of this, BUT thank God that He is.

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