The young priest falls in love

Fr. Carmelito Limbaga Jr., a 31-year-old Catholic priest who is set to leave Saipan today after spending a week on the island, said he has fallen in love—with Saipan.

As a matter of fact, he said, it’s his second visit to the island. Father June, as he likes to be called, said he was here in June, during which he was able to visit Tinian and Rota.

“I fell in love with Saipan. It’s great place to commune with nature,” he added.

He said one thing he loves about the island is its people, their hospitable nature, and the sumptuous food they have to offer guests.

Father June arrived on Saipan last Wednesday. Kristo Rai parish priest Fr. Ryan Jimenez took him in during his one-week stay. Father June celebrated Mass last weekend and yesterday at Kristo Rai Church.

The young priest hails from Tanjay, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. He was ordained in November 2004 and is now serving at the St. James the Greater Diocese in Dumaguete.

Fourth among five siblings, Father June finished his elementary and high school education in Tanjay, Dumaguete. He said he went directly to St. Joseph Seminary in the same region. He finished college with a degree in Philosophy. He then left the seminary for his two-year regency, which led him to the southern province of Bukidnon. There, he volunteered to be a teacher in a community high school. He taught religion, physical education and English classes. He also tried his luck in Manila, where he worked as an administrative officer in a private firm in Makati, Metro Manila.

The call to priesthood remained with him, though, so he finally returned to the seminary, this time at a Jesuit university, Ateneo De Manila, where he finished Theology in 2004, the same year when he was ordained a priest.

Fr. June said it would be better for the CNMI to have more local priests. Considering the local community’s devotion to the Catholic faith, the CNMI would need more priests to minister its people, he added.

Despite the difficulties in the economy, he is hoping that people would be resilient and never give up. “Saipan has so much to offer,” he added.

Father June thanked the several good-hearted people who helped him during his stay in the CNMI. He thanked Dave Sablan, Father Ryan, and the community for showing him kindness and wonderful hospitality.