By HNPT SOCCOM
Fr Michael John Modoit shared his spiritual journey of his priesthood as he celebrated his 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary on the Feb 12 2025.
Fr Michael recalled his “call”, when as an eight years old boy, overheard his late father telling his friends that if his 7th child is a son, he would pray that he will be a priest. He was the 7th child, and that words of his late father had a great impact in his life that stirred within his heart, but kept the message. Like Mary, when the shepherds revealed what the angels said about Jesus, Luke 2:19, ”Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
Failing to enter the seminary at the age of 18 and working comfortably did not last for Fr Michael. He re-entered the seminary at the age of 20 successfully. Facing many challenges, trials and temptations, Fr Michael saw himself ordained as a priest by Bishop John Lee, on Feb 12 2000.
When asked about his worries and concerns in the priesthood, he said, “being a diocesan priest, living a spiritual life among parishioners.” He also mentioned that time being a great factor. Can he continue to serve as a priest being a mere human? Sharing God’s love in a bigger field. Parishioners are of different backgrounds, age, race, characters, and so on. Can he reach out to them with God’s eye? Can he touch lives of children, youth, the elderly, the lonely, married, singles, rich, poor without being prejudice? Mathew 20:28 states, Jesus said, “I came not to be served but to serve”.
Fr Michael continued to bring these life challenges in his calling as a priest; strives to achieve the mission and vision of God.
Fr Michael shared on how he sustains his priestly journey this far. Jokingly he said, “ Smile and be cheerful.”
- Constant personal prayer and practice silence and reflection.
- Daily visitation of the Blessed Sacrament strengthens, refreshes and energizes his relationship with Christ.
- Personal rosary prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament
- Celebrate and attend Daily Morning Mass where the Word of God and the Body of Christ is being received.
- Family support. When time permits, he would go back to his village to visit his mum and family members. Upon returning, he felt refreshed and energized.
- Parishioners undivided/untiring support, journeying together, gives him the confident to serve the community.
Maintaining a healthy life style, Fr Michael does gardening as his hobby in his free time. While eating favourite local food and delicacies like, “Tinumbu kodop”, “Pinasakan sadah-Mackeral”, and boil vegetables without oil.
Fr Michael quoted Mathew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” He will try to serve the best he could, humbly with humility and reach out to many.
