Arrion Rosales-Llantos
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Arrion Rosales-Llantos had already registered for his third year at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, for classes in administration of justice and history, when he mentioned to his pastor in Kona that he was considering the priesthood as a career.
The pastor, Father Konelio Faletoi, urged him to enter the seminary “immediately.”
“I felt a lot like St. Matthew and his sudden call by Christ to follow him,” Rosales-Llantos said. “I had already applied for a dorm room with some friends for a third year at UH-Hilo. Instead, God asked me to follow him to the seminary. So I did.”
It was the right decision. Bishop Larry Silva was scheduled to ordain Rosales-Llantos a “transitional” deacon, July 1, at his home parish of St. Michael in Kailua-Kona. (The Hawaii Catholic Herald went to press early July 1.)
“Transitional” deacons are on the path to priesthood, as opposed to “permanent” deacons.
Father Faletoi explained his recommendation for Rosales-Llantos to enter the seminary sooner rather than later. “Why continue prolonging the decision?” he told the Hawaii Catholic Herald by phone June 23.
“There was a calling,” he said. The seminary environment would help him discern it.
“It is best way to find out,” he said.
Father Faletoi saw Rosales-Llantos gain “confidence” through his seminary education, and “mature in his understanding the complexity of the life of a priest.”
He learned to balance the spiritual, intellectual, social and psychological aspects of his calling, the pastor said.
Father Faletoi got to know Rosales-Llantos on the seminarian’s summers back home assisting at the parish.
The parish work included the physical labor of yard maintenance, cleaning and heavy lifting, plus office chores and liturgical tasks.
“He is a hard worker, very prayerful man, cooperative, works well with people,” the priest said. “We gave him the key to the parish — literally.”
“He has a calmness” about him, Father Faletoi said. “He is a gentle spirit, very unique, very different.”
“He has monastic qualities” of prayer and contemplation, rubbed off from his days in Mt. Angel Seminary, which is located on the grounds of a Benedictine monastery.
“To his benefit, he can apply them to the everyday life of a priest” working among the people, the pastor said.
Rosales-Llantos, 26, was born in 1995 in Virginia, the only child of Philippine immigrants Errol and Lovette Llantos, both of whom had government-related jobs at the time in Washington, D.C.
They moved to Kona, where he grew up, “because it reminded them of the Philippines,” Rosales-Llantos said in an email June 21.
He attended Hualalai Academy and Kealakehe High School, graduating in 2013. He went to the University of Hawaii-Hilo for two years studying administration of justice and history.
He enrolled in Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon for three years, graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy.
He is currently working toward a Master of Divinity degree at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California. He is set to be ordained a priest after graduating in 2023.
“I answered God’s call to enter the seminary after reflecting on my desire to serve others in high school,” he said.
He had thought about priesthood in high school, but not seriously. “At the time, my desire to serve was expressed in other ways, such as joining the military. This eventually changed into a dream to run for public office before I settled on a career in law enforcement.”
While in college, he tried to join the Army National Guard, but was prevented from enlisting because of poor eyesight.
“This was a major setback that prompted me to reflect and discern more about God’s calling,” he said. “After months of intense prayer and attending daily Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Hilo, I decided to make a leap of faith by contacting my pastor in Kona about a possible calling to the priesthood.” That led to the seminary.
“As I approach ordination, I’ve reflected on my entire life experience leading up to it,” Rosales-Llantos said. “All the joys, blessings, sufferings and challenges I have experienced have no doubt helped me prepare for the ministry God has called me to.”
“God truly is present in every moment of my life, even if I have failed to see his presence,” he said.
“I also give thanks to God for my parents, the many priests who have mentored me, the people I’ve worked with, and my brother seminarians who have all contributed to my formation.”
Father Faletoi said he “would be happy to work with him” when he is ordained a priest, but the diocese has rules against being assigned to your home parish.
“I am honored to walk beside him as a priest and brother,” he said.
