St. Mary's Parish - Prince George

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
VENER SABACAN

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REV. MR. VENERANDO SABACAN

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE

My name is Vener and I come from the Philippines and am 27 years old. I was 13 years old when I entered the Minor Seminary in the province of Nueva Euja. At the age of 15 I thought of becoming a monk and after my high school graduation I was about to enter a Benedictine monastery, but everyone was against the idea.
     Instead I entered the Franciscan Seminary to continue my studies. After four years I entered the Jesuit School of Theology to continue my studies to the priesthood.
     I arrived in Canada on August 9, 2005 with my classmate, Rectorino Tolentino. We spent some weeks in Prince George before going for six weeks to Edmonton for the enculturation program for foreign-born priests and seminarians.
     I was assigned to Dawson Creek for my pastoral exposure and left there at the end of February to come to Prince George and continue my pastoral experience.
     Coming to Canada was a big move for me, leaving my family, my relatives and friends in the Philippines. A few months ago, we heard jesus calling his first disciples. They left everything and followed him, and they literally followed him!
     Looking back almost 18 years ago, I was just a young boy when I said to my parents "I want to become a priest one day." I belief I as called at that young age.

It is a new experience for me to be here, learning new things different from home and meeting new people. but there is always joy and challenges in every learning situation that made me decide to stay and minister here in our diocese.

CHRISM MASS 2006

Vener is currently in Edmonton, Alberta, at Newman Theological College. He is completing his formation in the seminary there and looking forward to his ordination to the priesthood in May 2007.