TALK OF FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. AT THE ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C. and Atty. Marwil N. Llasos, O.P.

TALK OF FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. AT THE ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY

I have always been a fan of REV. FR. DONALD CALLOWAY of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. I am one of those millions who have been inspired by his conversion story. Truly, Fr. Donald is a marvelous work of grace, or as he would have said it, an “Exhibit A” of the Divine Mercy.

Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy

Parishioners eagerly waiting for Fr. Donald Calloway's talk

Early last year, I got wind that Fr. Don is going to the Philippines this 2012. As his friend on Facebook, I have followed Fr. Don’s ministry avidly. From his Facebook profile, I learned that he is already here in the Philippines and was going to give a talk at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City in the evening of January 17, 2012. (I myself have given talks in this beautiful shrine).

CSD Brother Formator Marwil N. Llasos, O.P. with Rev. Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, M.I.C.

Bro. Samuel Molines, Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek and Bro. Marwil Llasos

Eager to meet Fr. Don in person and listen to his wonderful conversion story, I left our office very early so I could be in Mandaluyong City by 7:00 in the evening. When I arrived at the Divine Mercy Shrine, there were already a lot of parishioners waiting for the talk to start.

Marians all: Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, Fr. Donald Calloway and Bro. Marwil Llasos

(Bro. Marwil N. Llasos is a member of the Association of Marian Helpers)

Mariologists: Fr. Donald Calloway and Bro. Marwil Llasos

(Fr. Donal Calloway, M.I.C. has a degree in Mariology at the International Marian Research Institute)

Our brother in the Company of St. Dominic, REGGIE MACAPAGAL, O.P. was there. I didn’t know that his painting on the Mother of God of Priests, inspired by St. Faustina Kowalka’s vision, was to be unveiled and blessed that night. 

(See story at http://www.bromarwilnllasos.blogspot.com/2012/01/mother-of-god-of-priests.html).

Opening Prayer

Opening remarks by the Shrine Rector

Also in attendance was my kumpare SAM MOLINES who is an alumnus of the apologetics course of Defensores Fidei Foundation. I am the godfather of his son Jehoshua. Bro. Sam used to head the formation ministry of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy. While I was talking to Sam, Polish priest REV. FR. MARIUSZ JARZABEK of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception arrived. Bro. Sam introduced me to this holy priest.

Fathers Donald Calloway and Mariusz Jarzabek seated at the front pew

A little while later, FR. DONALD CALLOWAY, M.I.C. arrived together with some seminarians of his congregation. Of course, I was star struck. I was introduced to him by Fr. Mariusz and Bro. Sam. I told Fr. Don that we are friends on Facebook and I was looking forward to meet him and personally listen to his love story with God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, O.P. talks on the Divine Mercy and the Marians of the Immaculate Conception

Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek blesses the painting of the Mother of God of Priests of artist Reggie Macapagal, O.P.

The activity started with an opening prayer by a parishioner which was followed by the welcome remarks by the Rector of the Divine Mercy Shrine. Afterwards, Fr. Mariusz Jarzabek, M.I.C. blessed the painting of the Mother of God of Priests painted by Bro. Reggie Macapagal. Fr. Mariusz then introduced Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C.

Fr. Donald Calloway talks on his conversion story

Fr. Don shows his picture when he was a hippie at 18 years old

Fr. Donald talked about his conversion story – from a miserable sinner to a life of faith and grace. His story could very well be made into a movie. He started by recounting his story as a young boy growing up in America. He said that he was taught in school that human beings descended from monkeys. God, according to him, has been kicked out of the classrooms and the society. He grew up without God and lived a life no better than a monkey.

Full church: Parishioners listen to Fr. Donald Calloway

Open Forum: Bro. Sam Molines asks Fr. Don a question on Confession and Holy Communion

The Marian priest recalled how he got involved in criminal ad immoral activities, including drug-pushing. His mother was married thrice. They lived for some time in Japan since his third “father” was assigned there as a military man. While in Japan, Fr. Don was involved in the syndicate called Yakuza. He used to be a drug carrier in Japan until he was caught and kicked out of the country. He was in and out of prison in the U.S. and was confined in a rehabilitation facility. He was only 18 years old. Fr. Don showed his picture when he was an eighteen-year old hippie. Fr. Don’s story was riveting.

Fr. Don listens to the questions during the open forum

Parishioners listen to the answers of Fr. Donald Calloway

Then, change began to happen. Thanks to the role Filipino women played in his mother’s life and his. His mother’s Filipina friend was instrumental in his mother’s conversion to Catholicism. Later on, when it was his first time to enter a Catholic Church, Filipino ladies asked him to pray the rosary with them and tried to convince him to be a priest. And the rest is history.

Brothers Reggie Macapagal, O.P. and Marwil Llasos, O.P. with the painting of  the Mother of God of Priests

The Mother of God of Priests

Fr. Donald Calloway’s story is a fascinating story about the power of God’s grace. It is about the power of Divine Mercy of which Fr. Don claims he is the “Exhibit A.” Fr. Don ended his talk about the merciful love of God. He presented himself as evidence of how God’s mercy and love can change a wretched and miserable sinner into someone God intended him to become. It was a powerful testimony and Fr. Don’s life story is a witness to how God’s mercy is more powerful than sin. God is a Father who is rich in mercy and is always able, willing and ready to welcome in His prodigal sons and daughters back in his loving and forgiving embrace.

Dedication of Bro. Reggie Macapagal to Bro. Marwil Llasos

Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C. tells his conversion story