Hi, Rico! Could you please introduce yourself…
I am Fr Enrico B. Mercado, Salesian of the Province of the Philippines North (FIN), Salesian for nine years and recently ordained priest on the recent feast of Mary Help of Christians to be precise.
What inspired you to choose to become a missionary?
In the years of my formation, from the aspirantate until I became a priest, I had several encounters with missionaries who lived in an uplifting way and who have something mysteriously attractive in their lives. One of the Salesians who most inspired my desire to become a missionary was the late Fr John Lee Tae-seok, SDB, from South Korea, since I saw a film about him entitled"Don't Cry for Me Sudan". These missionaries inspired me for how they could abandon everything to be available and go wherever God led them, even if the life that awaited them was hard and demanding. Looking at them it seems that they have "nothing", but in reality they have "everything" they have always hoped for, that is, to see and be with Jesus in the people entrusted to them in the mission land. This is the kind of holiness I deeply admire. So I wrote my letter of candidacy as a missionary and was accepted.
Are you happy with where you are going? Do you have any fears or concerns about the new place, culture and people?
I have been assigned to the Province of Southern Africa (AFM), which includes South Africa, Lesotho and eSwatini. I am happy wherever the Holy Spirit wants to lead me. I will try my best to be open and adapt to the new culture and new people I will embrace.
How did your family members, friends and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation?
For some it was a surprise, because I did not talk much about my desire to become a missionary. My family has always supported me in every decision I have made, and for that I thank them and appreciate them very much.
What are your plans and dreams for your missionary life?
I entrust my missionary life to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the guidance of our Mother Mary, who will give me the strength to face the challenges that await me. May God make me his tool to show his face and his love wherever he leads me and the young people he entrusts to me!
Do you have some great missionary role models in mind whose lifestyle you want to follow?
One of the models I would try to imitate, as I said, is Fr John Lee Tae-seok, because he lived in our generation. His visible presence, his love and his charity for the people entrusted to him in Sudan have made God's love and presence for them really tangible.
What is your message to young people about missionary choice and vocation?
The most important thing is to build a good relationship with Jesus, so you will be able to hear his voice and call for you more clearly.
