Viriditas: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
When I was in the third year of high school in Mindanao, I remember our class being very noisy one day because our teacher was out. A Dominican Sister Virgilia then stepped into the classroom to teach us. She commanded our attention and asked us about Abraham. I raised my hand and I guess I answered the question in the way she wanted it to be answered. Then, she asked me my name. I responded, “I am Exsequel.” She said, “Oh, so you are a prophet?” I just smiled. She pointed at me and said, “You will become a priest.”
In my fourth year, the same thing happened. The teacher was out, we were noisy, and Sister Virgilia again came into the classroom. I don’t know why I was so fortunate to answer her question again. She asked my name, and after I responded she said, “Oh, it is you the prophet. You will enter the seminary.” She then instructed me to take the entrance exam for the Dominican seminary. After passing, she told me that I needed to tell my parents that I was going to the seminary.
My mom said, “Manila is too far.” Because I am the oldest, my father said, “You are the only boy in this family. No.” So I told Sister Virgilia and said I was sorry that I could not get my parents’ permission. Then she asked me, “What if God gave you a brother, would you enter then?” I said “Of course, yes.” I had been praying for a brother for a long time as I had three sisters and really wanted a younger brother. After high school I went on to study engineering. However, my mother soon became pregnant, and I had a baby brother.
I looked all over for Sister Virgilia, but could not find her as she was probably transferred to Iloilo. I didn’t know where to go as she didn’t want me to take any other entrance exams. One day though, I went to Davao City and there I entered the diocesan seminary.
Each year during our theological studies, we were asked to write down our response as to why we wanted to be a priest. The first two years I responded, “Because God gave me a brother.” But then I realized that others were writing that they wanted to serve God. My response then changed to “This is the best way of thanking God for all the wonderful things he has done.” As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world,” everything that has happened in my life is because of God’s love.
I am grateful to be here in this wonderful parish with wonderful parishioners. As I came from a joyful and happy family even though we were poor, I try to bloom where I am planted as one of my former pastors advised. And now that I have my brother priests with me in community in this parish we serve, so much more is there joy and happiness in working, praying, eating and playing together; telling jokes, teasing each other and making a joyful sound for the Lord with my guitar.
Father Exsequel Tuyor is from the Diocese of Tagum, Philippines. He is 23 years ordained and has been at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Kailua for five years. In 2014, he was promoted from parochial vicar to administrator.
