FOR Father Alvin M. Villaruel, it took three near-death experiences for him to realize God’s gift of life and hear his calling.
“I believe in miracles,” he said. “Miracles remind us of the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding us and leading us to fulfill God’s will in our lives. Three successive car accidents shook me up, challenging my complacency, which led to a greater appreciation of God’s gift of life; and with that insight a realization that I was living a borrowed life.
“Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I began the journey of discerning what God wanted me to do with my new life,” he said.
It was this epiphany that led Villaruel to the church.
Villaruel is a pastor serving in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, California. He is also the chaplain, Theology Department chair, campus minister and religion teacher at Cardinal Newman High School.
Originally from Manila, Philippines, Villaruel is a graduate of Manila Science High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Adamson University, Manila before heading to St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. He was ordained at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Napa on October 23, 1994.
Choosing to dedicate a life to God is often a difficult choice. Villaruel said as a sophomore at Manila Science High School is when he first felt the “nudge” to become a priest.
“But the attraction and excitement of pursuing a career and exploring of what the world had to offer made me set aside the initial call to the priesthood,” he said.
He went to school and graduated. He may have put off that initial call but the signs to follow God kept coming up.
Finally, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. He asked God to give him one more sign, a dove.
“Little did I know that my very specific demand and unusual request, for one dove to fly real close to my face and to look directly into my eyes, was going to change my life forever,” he said. “On eve of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, I received the dream. However, the sign was more intense than I expected because I was not given one but rather millions of them coming out of what appeared to be a host on the ground in a beautiful garden while a person dressed in dazzling white was pointing at it.
“I experienced the most peaceful feeling of knowing that a clear sign has been given to me by God,” he added. “The following day, after morning mass, I talked to a priest friend to begin the journey that had led me to where I am today.”
Although his parents were against it at first, they soon accepted his decision to go to seminary school.
“Once they realize the authentic joy I was experiencing, they supported me all the way,” he said.
Since being ordained, Villaruel has served as acolyte and transitional deacon at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Napa, California. In 1996, he became a high school chaplain at Cardinal Newman High School.
Most recently, the school recognized him for 15 years of dedicated service. He also served briefly as Assistant Vocation Director for the Diocese of Santa Rosa.
He said the greatest thing about being a priest is being able to serve God and his work.
“Being a priest, I am able to be graced by the most important and greatest miracle of all: the transformation of ordinary bread and wine into the real Body and Blood of Christ,” he said.
“The Holy Sacraments have allowed me to be with God’s people during their most challenging, as well as, joyful moments. For the young people I serve, I have become a source of healing and inspiration as they grow in maturity of faith. To be able to serve the poor and vulnerable, in my capacity as an ordained minister, is a very humbling experience; always being reminded that our call is to ‘wash the feet’ of others, in humble obedience to Christ’s call to follow him. I have always believed that the priesthood is not a step up into a position, but rather a step down into service.”
Villaruel has also served in several missions, many of them helping the Philippines.
One mission in particular that is dear to his heart is the Y.E.S. or Youth Empowerment and Stewardship.
He said the mission started as a response to the elimination of youth violence in the local Santa Rosa community but has evolved into an annual project for his students at Cardinal Newman to do a form of gift giving in the Philippines for the poor and needy.
He also said for the past eight years, he has traveled with students to the Philippines and assisted them in helping the poor and needy in the country.
“Our latest connection is with Bukid Kabataan, which is a hospice for abused children and teens run by the Religious of the Good Shepherd, located in Gen.Trias, Cavite. We have worked with the indigenous people of Aklan, distributed good for poor families in Antipolo through the help of the staff of the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, developed educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Iloilo and many others,” he said.
“This year I have eight students who will be going to San Ildefonso Parish in Navotas to connect with the youth group and parishioners to help build houses for the 1,500 families who lost their homes due to fire.”
As difficult of a decision it was for him to become a priest, Villaruel says he has no regrets. He offers these advice to those young men seeking a higher calling: “Center your life in prayer and the Eucharist; follow a simple way of life; find the face of Christ in others especially the poor and vulnerable; be patient with yourself; and develop healthy relationships with people of all ages.”
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