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Name: Ramil Urgelles
Date of birth: December 28, 1976
Hobbies and interest: reading spiritual books, walking while praying the rosary, traveling
Favorite saints: St. Joseph
My vocation story started when I was a high school student. I became a student catechist at Mount Carmel High School, Polillo, Quezon, Philippines. As a student catechist for two years, I taught religion to elementary students, grades 1 to 6. I realized that while teaching the students I had a feeling of happiness that I couldn’t explain. Our School was run by the SPC Sisters (Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartes). One of the sisters who was a friend of mine became my advisor and helped guide my vocation to the priesthood. I talked to her about my feelings and eventually told her that I wanted to become a priest. My vocation was nourished by various school activities, particularly spiritual events. One thing I remember is that our religion teacher required us to attend daily Mass and Sunday Mass so that in the future we might have a devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Later on this requirement became devotional because every time I attended Mass there was a feeling of happiness. This experience helped strengthen my vocation because going to Mass everyday, especially Sundays, made me follow in the steps of Jesus. I told my parents that I wanted to enter the seminary but it seemed impossible at the time because my family didn’t have money to support my studies. I prayed to God and asked for help. After a week miracles began to happen because many people gave me financial aid to attend the seminary. I attended Maria Assumpta Seminary where I completed my AB in Classical Philosophy. After graduation I decided to take a break from the seminary and I worked as a bookstore clerk in a Catholic company (Claretian Publications) for more than 3 years. After my contract ended I was assigned to San Roque parish. I became a religion teacher for a year as well as assisted my parish priest in many church activities. While in the parish I started my application to the Diocese of Oakland and I was accepted as a seminarian for the diocese. I thank God for the gift of my vocation because I believe that if God has called me despite of my weaknesses I have to give the best response I can to this beautiful calling.