News—"First and foremost, I experienced the love of God in my life," says Fr. Jiah Manda, SVD, in first-ever Holy Mass at SVD Farm's Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor

Tagaytay City—Last February 10, 2024, the five newly-ordained priests of the Lumen Class presided over their first-ever Holy Masses at various locations within the SVD Tagaytay Community.

Rev. Fr. Edbelwin Jiah Manda, SVD, celebrated his inaugural Holy Mass at the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm’s Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor. In his homily, Fr. Jiah shared his personal journey of vocation, weaving a narrative of love, faith, and profound gratitude.

Fr. Jiah began his homily with a simple yet profound statement: "God is good, all the time." In a mix of English, Tagalog, and Bisaya, Fr. Jiah shared his message to the attending devotees, expressing the universal truth of God's goodness as he experienced it in his story of vocation.

According to Fr. Jiah, he faced many challenges post-ordination, including his difficulty with sleeping and the overwhelming sense of responsibility that he felt. Nevertheless, he said that despite this internal struggle, he is eager to give back and share the gift of vocation he had received.

Fr. Jiah’s vulnerability and authenticity resonated with the attendees. He spoke about the interconnectedness of his vocation journey, attributing the grace of his vocation to his family, particularly his grandfather. He narrated the story of his “family day” during high school. Moved by a teacher's request to bring parents to the front, Fr. Jiah brought his grandparents but dreamt of the day he could bring his parents. This heartfelt dream came true on the day of his graduation, as his father, whom he had recently reconnected with, stood alongside his grandfather and grandmother.

The turning point in Fr. Jiah's life, he said, occurred during a youth camp in Bohol, where he experienced the warmth and familial bonds within the SVD community, even before he became part of the SVD Tagaytay Community as a seminarian, and now as a priest. This encounter laid the foundation for his vocation and led him to enter the religious life.

Fr. Jiah’s homily touched upon the struggle to accept the call to priesthood, initially desiring a career as an engineer and envisioning a family. Yet, the persistent calling, the love of God, and a transformative experience during a retreat led him to surrender all to the divine plan.

Fr. Jiah concluded his homily by expressing gratitude to those who supported him throughout his journey, as well as those who supported his fellow Lumen Class priests. He humbly requested continued prayers for them as they begin their priestly lives, acknowledging the challenges they might face in the years to come.

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