Michael Lecias
I
am 28 years old and was born in the Philippines. I have three
sisters and three brothers and I’m the youngest in the family.
My parents still live in the Philippines. I started to
think of entering the seminary when I was nine years old because at
that time I started to serve at the Church as an altar boy. I
have an uncle who is a priest-monsignor in the Philippines,
and who serves as my inspiration to study at the seminary, but
aspiring to become a priest really comes from within as I’m
attracted to serving God and His people.
Before joining the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, I was
with the Order of St. Augustine, the Sto. Niño de Cebu Province
or the Philippine Province, for four years as an aspirant then a
postulant. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
from the Augustinian Order through its school - St. Thomas of Villanova
Institute, which is an affiliate to University of San Agustin in Iloilo
City, Philippines. I studied theology at St. Vincent School of Theology
in Quezon City, Philippines under the Vincentian Fathers or the
Congregation of Mission. It was at this time that I was very
active in the following ministries: Couples for Christ, Singles for
Christ, Youth for Christ, Kids for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord, and
Servants of the Lord.
Before coming to the United States, I was working at the Colegio de San
Juan de Letran in Manila, Philippines, which is managed by the Order of
Preachers or the Dominicans, as part-time instructor in philosophy; and
at the same time, a part-time instructor in theology and recollection
facilitator and speaker at the Philippine Women’s University in
Manila, Philippines. I served as an English teacher to Korean and
Chinese students as well.
Currently, I am in Mexico for a Spanish Immersion Program to sharpen my
ability to understand, speak and read Spanish for the future ministry
within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Before joining the
program, I was working for a month at the Permanent Observer Mission of
the Holy See to the United Nations in New York. Part of my job
was to observe meetings and conferences, conducted inside the UN
Building, concerning a variety of international issues and topics in
which the Holy See has maintained its presence and has made some
interventions. The experience itself was humbling, challenging, and
interesting. I made friends and met people from other countries,
especially Permanent Representatives or Ambassadors and the UN
employees. It was wonderful to work in the diplomatic realm.
This year I received my Diploma in Forensic Science from Ashworth
University in Norcross, Georgia. Soon I will finish my
Diploma in Paralegal from Penn Foster Career School in Scranton,
Pennsylvania. I also earned a Masters Degree in Development
Communication from the University of the Philippines Open University in
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. This fall, I hope to continue my
studies at the Mount of St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg,
Maryland as Third Year Theology student leading to a Master of Divinity.
I don’t know when I will be ordained; I work to
follow God’s will and the direction of my bishop. The
seminary gives me great opportunities to work on my personal
development and priestly formation. Studying at seminary presents
challenges that will help me grow in my service to God's Church.
I spend my free time walking, practicing karate, swimming, reading, and
writing poetry. I also enjoy traveling to new places. I
keep in close contact with my family and friends, as they support me in
my religious formation.