By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
This fall semester, the Diocese of Honolulu welcomed five new seminarians, increasing the number of men studying for the priesthood to 10 for the diocese.
The newest seminarians are Jaster Agcaoili, Braun Castro, Archie Dumag, Mark Rebellon and Seth Willett.
The propaedeutic year, which means a year of preparation, is dedicated to spiritual formation. The seminarians go through a technology “detox,” with limited use of smartphones or addictive technologies, to minimize distractions during their discipleship formation.
Instead, their days are spent in prayer, adoration, daily Mass and practicing daily devotions designed to strengthen their spiritual foundation.
According to Father Alfred Omar Guerrero, director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Office of Vocations, two seminarians are at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon, six are at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California, and two are assigned in Hawaii parishes for their pastoral year. The seminarians are at different stages of formation, from the first year of studies to the final year and a half.
Agcaoili, Dumag and Rebellon attend St. Patrick’s Seminary and University, while Castro and Willett began their studies at Mount Angel Seminary in July.
“My hope for the new seminarians is that they study hard but also discern well their vocation to the diocesan priesthood,” Father Guerrero said.
Transforming in Christ
In Oregon, Castro, from St John the Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani, and Willett, from Sacred Heart Church in Lanai City, are part of a cohort of 33 seminarians from dioceses throughout the country.
Castro said he underwent a dramatic transformation from Protestantism and returned to his Catholic faith—all thanks to a providential invitation from his high school friend Austin De La Cruz who invited him to visit St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in early 2023.
“I met him on a random Wednesday, and we stepped into a daily Mass,” Castro said. “I didn’t even know the Catholics did church every day. I actually really respected that a lot.”
Castro attended kindergarten through third grade at St. Theresa School in Kalihi.
“We were just culturally Catholic, being Filipino,” Castro said. “But my parents did teach me how to pray.”
While in his sophomore year of high school, Castro began exploring non-denominational churches, searching for answers to his life’s purpose.
“I just had the general idea that God existed, Jesus existed and the Gospel story of Him dying for our sins was a thing I just believed,” he said.
In college, he studied architectural design and construction management. Castro then worked as a drafter for an electrical engineering company and also ran his own pressure-washing business.
Castro attended various services in his college years, including Grace Bible Central and Calvary Chapel in Kailua, to see old friends and make new acquaintances.
But after going back to Mass with De La Cruz, Castro realized exactly what he was missing. Both Castro and De La Cruz attended Order of Christian Initiation of Adults classes and were confirmed on March 31, 2024.
The next month, while in Texas for his brother’s Air Force graduation, Castro asked his family to visit the National Shrine of the Little Flower.
“Sitting in that basilica was when I heard the Lord’s call in my life to discern priesthood,” Castro said.
After returning to Hawaii and St. John Apostle and Evangelist, Deacon Mike Browning provided Castro with essential mentorship and guidance during his initial stages of discernment.
Castro said his parents and siblings have been supportive of his decision to pursue discernment, even as he transitions away from previous career goals.
In formation at Mount Angel Seminary, he has a variety of support systems, including meetings with a spiritual director, a formation director and counselors.
“I’ve been learning how to love the Lord in new ways with new tools I can use to stay in his presence,” Castro said of his spiritual life. “Seminary is helping me grow in my love for the Lord.”
Thoughtful process
Rebellon, from Annunciation Church in Waimea, entered St. Patrick Seminary after earning two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Hawaii-Hilo in political science and administration of justice, with certifications in pre-law and international politics
While leaving his family and home was difficult, arriving at the seminary brought a sense of joy and belonging due to the welcoming community of fellow seminarians, he said.
Rebellon moved from the Philippines to the United States approximately 10 years ago at age 12.
He grew up in a Catholic household and joined his parish choir while still in the Philippines. It was in this early choir experience when he said he first heard his vocational call to the priesthood.
While studying at UH-Hilo, he served in the music and youth ministries at Annunciation, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Honokaa and St. Joseph Church in Hilo. Rebellon rediscovered his desire to become a priest while assisting Father Anthony Pangan with the anointing of the sick at Annunciation Church.
“He had this homily about priesthood during Holy Thursday because it was the Institution of the Eucharist,” Rebellon said of his mentor and spiritual director. “He said our vocations are dropping down now and we need more priests. He told the parents who were there to send their men to the seminary.”
At Rebellon’s request, Father Pangan met with his parents, Rowel and Rosemarie, over dinner, and they gave their blessing for their son to pursue the priesthood.
Rebellon was advised by then-vocations director Father Joseph “Bong” Diaz to complete his undergraduate studies first. Following a discernment retreat at St. Patrick’s Seminary, he applied and was officially accepted to study there.
Praying for vocations
Father Guerrero said the most challenging part of the first year of seminary is homesickness.
“Pray, pray, pray for their perseverance,” Father Guerrero said. “Write notes of encouragement and send them. They would be happy to receive them in the seminary.”
He said another important contribution to the success of seminarians is to support the seminarian endowment through the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation, which funds their formation and the efforts of the Office of Vocations.
To donate to the endowment, visit the HCCF website at https://www.hawaiicatholiccommunityfoundation.org/funds-for-the-future.