“IF YOU look up to the mountains, you may think you cannot climb them, but look at the ground, take the first step, by staying grounded, you can reach the top.” – Fr. Larry Revilla, 2011.
Fr. Revilla is by far, the youngest priest to participate in the Filipino Priests sa America Musical, which was held last September 11 at Citrus College.
He was ordained on June 5, 2010 by Cardinal Roger Mahoney, together with Fr. Raymond Marquez and Fr. Bao Huy Nguyen.
His recent ordination belies his spiritual depth and how grounded he is: “ I never let go of my prayer life. I anchor myself tightly to the source of our being, strength and joys,” he said.
Prior to becoming a priest, he worked s a respiratory therapist for 13 years in the neo-natal ICU, at Torrance Memorial Hospital. He cared for premature infants who were barely a pound in weight -- sometimes, even on the brink of death. He would rescue them, intubate them, and connect their fragile lungs to the respirator, until their organs developed.
This required him to be on critical watch, with the parents, for 72 hours. Some developed and became normal, others did not.
“Some of the adults and parents I dealt with were wealthy and famous, yet their fame and riches could not save them, nor their babies. We all prayed. I became a bridge -- a tool. And though I was not a priest yet, nurses referred parents to me, and they called me Fr. Larry, so we could pray together for healing. When priests were not around, I asked the parents if they would let me baptize their babies before they died, and I did. “
That led him to a discernment journey, compelled by a serious car accident, which injured his C2-cervical spine in 2001. Released from the hospital and accompanied by his sister Teofista, Fr. Larry made a stop at a church before going home.
From the crowd, he was spotted by the pastor, Fr. Gerald O’Brien. “Come, I would like for you to come to the front of the church,” he called on Fr. Larry.
Fr. Larry felt as though Christ was looking at him.
For about three months, he wore a halo traction to immobilize his neck and head. He describes his long and tedious recovery, which lasted for 8 months. He was fully focused on God, praying to Him morning, noon and night.
Complications from injuries of this nature generally lead to becoming a quadraplegic. Yet, he didn’t experience them.
“I was up and down in my faith while in the hospital. I thought God was away, yet, he was faithful to me. I asked God to meet me halfway and carry some of my burdens. I prayed to the Blessed Mother, I prayed the rosary and I felt the Blessed Mother coddling me, for I felt no pain,” he shared.
Today, Fr. Larry is mobile and fully recovered. It led him to ask the question: What would be his legacy, if he passed away tomorrow?
Fr. Gerald became his spiritual guide. He asked Fr. Larry if he would consider joining the priesthood.
“Yes, I actually entered the St. Vincent Seminary when I was in my first and second year high school. But, I was sickly and my mother doubted that it might not be my calling. So, I went to finish my high school in St. Paul in San Miguel, Bulacan. Then, my family immigrated in 1985,” he said.
Fr. Larry was then referred to one of the Archdiocese’s vocations directors.
He gives credit to many for making him who he is today. “Sister Kathy Bryant, one of the vocations director, suggested a discernment group for me. I was with lawyers, doctors, and other professionals who were considering late vocations. Then, I got into St. John’s Seminary, where I finished my Master’s in Divinity, following two years of philosophy and five years of theological studies. Fr David Gallardo was one of my wonderful mentors in my first assignment, he took me under his wings but also allowed me to soar on my own in my ministry; and the staff here at St. Mariana de Paredes are so dedicated with their work, they make my ministry much easier.”
Then, he asked me if I believed in dreams. I said yes.
He had a dream about Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was about to leave the seminary because of his doubts. He prayed until he reached the hill. At the top was Guadalupe. “Where have you been? We have been waiting for you. Go to a church down the hill,” he was told. The church was packed and he was asked to lead the prayers.
When he consulted his spiritual guide about his dream, he was asked: “Is this not enough of a sign? What more do you need? An apparition?”
Fr. Larry affirmed his vocation choice and shared his gratitude and insights about his physical and spiritual service. “ It is the people of God [who] allowed me to become a good priest. Just like the woodcarver had to give 100% of himself to build a bell stand, I have to give 100% of myself in service. I sometimes hold back, but God calls me deeper, and He wants complete trust and surrender. Allow yourself to be God’s instrument, his hands, his eyes, his mouth, his ears. “
I cried while hearing the story of his transformation.
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