VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
I am from the Prefecture of Isabela de Basilan in the Philippines. During my younger days, I found inspiration in the first priest to be ordained in my hometown. It was because of his example that I wanted to enter the seminary. Nowadays, I find myself being influenced by a song. Actually, it is the theme song of those who are already retired. The title of the song is “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan. The lyrics to the first part of the song are:
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay
Forever young
Along the journey of being a priest there are smooth times as well as tough ones, especially nowadays. But what keeps me going, forever young, is the inspiration that comes from the people. I find that people around me are the greatest source of encouragement. You can hear them saying, “Father, go on.” Or, “Do what you can.” Or, “You are so nice.” Even though there may be interior struggles to face the various needs that come with ministry, I just keep on struggling and trying my best in order to become holy. For to become holy is very important.
For example, when Bishop Larry Silva told me that I would be appointed the other year, and that I may choose to accept or not accept being parish administrator of Waianae, I really had to think and pray over it. “Perhaps,” I thought to myself, “it is my mission to be in the diocese of Honolulu.” Thus, it was okay with me. I have already been in Waianae over two years.
It is important to have a strong prayer life. In mine, I pray the holy rosary daily and read the Scriptures before going to bed. I also take time to do some reflection over what I have read. I am now on my third reading of the Bible and am in the book of Jeremiah. I just start from the beginning and keep on reading. This is daily food for me. In actuality, I was sent for further studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome to take up a licentiate in Sacred Scriptures. That is part of my life.
I love being in the parish. But I have also loved being in the seminary because that is another part of who I am, along with my experiences as a university professor, vice-rector and rector of the regional major seminary in Mindanao and director of the Biblical Apostolate of the prelature. I also had the experience of being a college president and serving as the superintendent of our Catholic schools. These varied experiences have helped shape and form me into who and what I am now. As the ending of the song goes:
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
Forever young
Father Santiago “Bong” Agoo Jr. is from Basilan Province of Mindanao, Philippines. The youngest of six children, he has been a priest for 32 years. His first Hawaii assignment was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ewa Beach. He is now the parish administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Waianae.
