Story and Photos by Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga & from Rev. Fr. Aniceto Rodriguez, O.Carm.
Ordained as one of the “pandemic priests” last February 2, 2021 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Rev. Fr. Aniceto Rodriguez, O.Carm. came home to Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos to celebrate his Thanksgiving Mass with the Recoletos de San Carlos Community.
A Recoleto by Heart
“Even though I am a Carmelite, the Augustinian spirituality is still burning in me,” Fr. Rodriguez said during his short speech to the Thomasian community last April 8, 2021 at the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Chapel.
The new Carmelite priest is a member of CST-R Batch 2001. He also taught Chemistry and Christian Living Education here before proceeding to practice as a licensed pharmacist at a private hospital.
Fr. Rodriguez joyfully shared that Augustinian Recollects and the Carmelites have a common place in that both orders are instrumental in the propagation of the brown Scapular of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He admitted to his greatest fear of “not being able to recognize the Risen Christ among the least in the community.” However, he gave credit to his Augustinian Recollect formation which allowed him to recognize Love or Caritas. It is this same Love that has guided him to the path to Carmel.
The Long Road to Carmel
Fr. Rodriguez came late into his vocation and entered the San Alberto Formation Center in Talamban, Cebu City in May 2012. He was already 28 years old. In an interview with the Thomasian Communications Network (TCN), he narrated how in the quiet of the pharmacy at a private hospital he clicked on a pop-up advertisement to join the Carmelites. Then he found himself sending an email not knowing it was the address of the Order of Carmelites in Rome. The Order guided him to their nearest center where Fr. Rodriguez began his formation through extensive immersion work with sugarland workers or sakadas and fisherfolks in Escalante City, Negros Occidental and in Ormoc City. He added that he owes his journey to Rev. Fr. Pedro Manilag, O.Carm., who did not give up on convincing him to join the Carmelites despite the crisis in his family.
Fr. Rodriguez became a novice at the Spring of Carmel Novitiate House in Tandang Sora, Quezon City where he had his Solemn Profession of Evangelical Councils in 2014. In July 27, 2020, he officially became a Carmelite after his Solemn Profession of Vows at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Quezon City.
Because of his background in pharmacy, he chose to study the spiritual direction of people living with HIV (PLHIV). His thesis later became the basis for establishing the Gabay sa Pulang Laso, Inc. (GPLI)—a SEC-registered Caloocan City-based non-profit communitarian organization that provides psychosocial support and spiritual guidance to PLHIV regardless of their faith. GPLI started with only 50 members who are mostly based in Metro Manila. Members now enjoy free medical-dental services at the Tala Leprosarium Hospital in Caloocan. The organization has its own shelter for PLHIV who had been rejected by their families. It also has livelihood programs for members who were denied access to employment.
Moving On to the Carmelite Mission
Fr. Rodriguez is due to return to Agusan del Sur after a brief time with his family. His first assignment is as the Campus Minister of the Mt. Carmel College of San Francisco. He will also be seminary formator and assistant postulancy director for the Carmelite college which caters to lumad students or indigenous people.
From His Recollect Family
During his homily for Fr. Rodriguez, Rev. Fr. Rafael Cabarles, OAR, who is now 49 years a Recollect priest, shared his Seven Secrets. The elder prelate counselled the younger one to “Be faithful to Jesus Christ; to Mother Mary, the mother of all priests; to Mother Church; to our vocation; to our prayer life (contemplative); to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; and to a simple lifestyle.”
Rev. Fr. Vicente Ramon, Jr., OAR acknowledged Fr. Rodriguez’s priesthood as “a gift to us Recollects and even to the city of San Carlos.” Fr. Ramon was CST-R director and principal when the new priest was still teaching.
Rev. Fr. Joel Alve, OAR, Rev. Fr. Renier Alviola, OAR, Rev. Fr. Monday Benjamine Edobor, OAR and Rev. Fr. Jorr Rabacal, OAR also concelebrated. Fr. Rodriguez’s former co-teachers at CST-R and the Rodriguez family were in attendance.
