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Name: Edilberto Solis Castañas
Date of birth: August 13, 1981
Hobbies and interests: reading, traveling, biking
Favorite saints: St. Anthony, St. John Vianney, Pope John Paul II
Being raised in a profoundly devout Catholic family, I grew up with a deep love for the Lord. In such a haven where disciplines and norms based on the total faith in God ensued, I soon attuned myself to the value of serving and loving others and God. Truly, I am convinced that my family is the seedbed of my vocation. At an early age, the calling of God entered my heart and blossomed with the support and guidance of a good Catholic family.
In the year 1988, I attended Pangangan elementary school. At this early stage of my life, I became an altar server and helped the priest during the celebration of the Eucharist. I found it deeply amazing and awesome to assist at the Holy Mass with the priest. It was also at this period that I first clearly manifested the burning flame in my heart of becoming a priest by leading the prayers at home, going to confession often, and constantly praying to God and the mysteries of the holy rosary. My island religious culture also played a part in my vocation since we have a lot of popular devotions and festivities in honor of the saints. The continuous immersion and participation in them instilled in my heart a sense of religious devotion and piety. During high school, two seminarians came to visit and invited the students to “follow Christ through priestly vocations,” and I did not hesitate to respond to their invitation to enter the seminary. I entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, shortly after my high school graduation. Having completed my college seminary and philosophy courses, I did my theology studies and formation at Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, Mabolo, Cebu City, and Our Lady of Fatima spiritual pastoral formation year house, also in Cebu City.
When I was in the third level of my theological studies and formation and was about to embark towards the life of priesthood through ordination, I realized that the priesthood, which is the fruit of the priesthood of Christ, calls forth and challenges for the universal service and love of the People of God. The ministry that I would embrace would be meant for all. With this firm and total conviction in my heart, I decided that I would go and serve others in a new culture and a new environment. I kept in my heart this longing of exercising the universality of priesthood of Christ which carries commitment, service, and mission. After having a retreat, I was strongly convinced that now was the time to think globally, commit globally, and serve globally as a priest. This prodded me to apply for the Diocese of Oakland where I have chosen to give my whole and total service and love to the People of God. To give oneself to Presbyteral ordination means to be a priest, prophet and pastor to all.