Fr. Socrates Saldua, 38 Years as a Priest

The Rev. Fr. Socrates del Mundo Saldua celebrated happily his 38th year of priesthood with a thanksgiving dinner held at the 3-L Catering`s well-manicured lawns two weeks ago. Some of Fr. Soc`s parishioners were present as well as members of the Jesu Christi Community of which he has been the spiritual adviser.

Fr. Soc was born in Badian on August 4, 1956. He finished elementary and high school in Tubod Elementary and Badian National High School, respectively. He entered in Pope John XXIII in pre-college program at the same time taking academic subjects in San Carlos Seminary College. After he finished college degree, he proceeded his seminary formation in Seminario Mayor de San Carlos. He was ordained priest by the late Julio Cardinal Rosales in April 16, 1981, after which he was assigned in St. Francis de Assisi Parish in Balamban for 3 years. Then he was given a new assignment as formator in Pope John XXIII for 9 years; transferred to San Carlos Mayor Seminary for 21 years as formator. For him, it was a great experience working in the seminary. It was also an opportunity that the Jesu Christi Community took him as their spiritual adviser. Thereafter, he started the Manna Ministry which has 5 components: Feeding, Free Clinic, Adopt-a-Student program, Ecology-recycling, and Catechism.

After the seminary, Fr. Soc was given a new assignment by Archbishop Jose Palma to handle Commission of Service in the Archdiocese. Aside from the commission work, he also works as member of the Team of Pastors in San Isidro Parish in Talamban. Two years after, he was transferred to Alliance of Two Hearts Parish in Banawa until now.

We praise the good Lord for giving us Fr. Saldua who has always been at our beck and call, and has been serving God`s people for the last 38 years.