«I’m Gilbert, I’m 29 years old and I come from the Philippines. I have been ordained a priest for almost two years, I am here in Rome to study, I am doing my license in philosophy.» This is how the young Augustinian friar introduces himself, as he gradually tells us about his journey, made up of opportunities and awareness.
Italy is not Gilbert’s first stop: «Before coming here I spent many years in Spain, where the culture and language are truly different». This in Rome, in fact, is not the first Augustinian experience, but no less exciting for this.
The distance from home is long and not easy, but – he is keen to point out – «I am very happy here and I feel like a member of the family. After all, this is precisely our charism: founding communities of faith.»
The vocation: today Gilbert is a complete Augustinian
In the Philippines, where Gilbert – he confesses – truly feels at home, his desire to undertake this path was born. This is how he tells us his story: «In my first year of university, while I was browsing online, the page of the San Agustin Seminary in Intramuros, in Manila, appeared. There I discovered the history of the Augustinian Order. That’s where my curiosity began.»
The same curiosity that pushed Gilbert to gather more information on the Augustinian Community led him towards what he defines as a discovery. «The training was a discovery, including community life». In fact, community life is very important for Osafund and, like Gilbert, the other students, such as Fabiano and Cosmas, also show that they appreciate this typical aspect of the Augustinians.
Gilbert continues by telling us the process and sensations of his journey, of the moment in which he decided to approach Osafund: «I made a request to the director, something struck me that at that moment I perceived as extraordinary. From that moment my close relationship with the Intramuros Community began.»
The young Augustinian priest attributes to that moment the kick-off of his vocation, which he likes to define as digital, because the influence of social media was a determining factor in getting to know both the Augustinian Order and religious life in general . At that point all that remained was to formalize his desire: «I have submitted a written request to enter the seminary!».
Once his license in Rome is finished, Gilbert’s plans for the future include returning to Spain to teach philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology. At the same time, the young man, eager to do, does not rule out going on a mission soon. «The first thing we Augustinians deal with is helping people on both a spiritual and practical level. The congregation acts as a support in the daily life of the communities.»
Thanks to Osafund these young people follow their desires and receive the tools to help others. The projects carried out are testimony to their commitment and the awareness that cooperation brings happiness.