With a heart full of gratitude, a ‘Thomasian’ (as alumni of Colegio Santo Tomas de Villanueva-Recoletos de San Carlos, Philippines are known) returned to his alma mater to celebrate his recent ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Jhyryx Vincent F. Gamulo, class of 2011, presided over a very special Eucharist on January 6, 2025 in the chapel where he grew up for many years. Present at the event were his former teachers and classmates, as well as students from the College’s senior high school classes, who listened to his testimony of the College’s lasting impact on his life and vocation.
“I want to be a missionary in Africa.”
Ordained a priest on December 7, 2024 at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Mira-Nila, Quezon City, Fr. Gamulo’s first assignment will be to Sierra Leone, Africa. There he will join other Filipino missionaries of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. During an interview, he shared that it was at the Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary in Baguio City that he felt the desire to be sent to the missions. He even related that his own father asked him why he wanted to become a priest, to which he replied: “Because I want to be a missionary in Africa.”
This dream began to become a reality in July 2024, when he was sent to Sierra Leone for his pastoral experience as a deacon in the communities of Kamabai and Kamalo. His ordination as a deacon took place on November 18, 2023.
Gratitude to his alma mater
Gamulo expressed his immense gratitude to his alma mater. He confessed that in the school he was formed not only in knowledge, but also in faith. He fondly recalled the values he treasures, the discipline instilled, the lessons of his teachers and the friendships forged during his vocational journey, which still remain today.
With deep emotion, he encouraged the students present by affirming that, “no matter where life takes us, we are never far from God, who calls us by name”. He also invited those who feel the religious call to respond with courage.
Fr. Gamulo was encouraged to go to the seminary by another ‘Thomasian’, Fr. Vicente Ramon, Jr., class of 1987, who, in his work as vocation promoter, visited St. Augustine Academy in Bayawan to promote vocations. Gamulo entered the minor seminary and it was at this time that he began his experience at St. Thomas of Villanova-Recoletos College in San Carlos, along with three other young men from Bayawan City.
A place where new vocations are being cultivated
A place where new vocations are being cultivatedFr. Cristopher C. Maspara, prior of the Augustinian Recollect community of San Carlos, and director of the College, pointed out that this day became “a meeting of professors whose former students are now priests”. Enrico Peter Silab, Augustinian Recollect of the class of 1969, and Fr. Aniceto Rodriguez, of the Order of Carmel, ‘Thomasian’ of the class of 2001.
Fr. Maspara closed the celebration by stressing that many Thomasians become professionals in various fields, but only a few opt for religious and priestly life. “This celebration marks a significant milestone in the College’s history as a place where new vocations are cultivated.”