Meet Our SEminarians

Meet our Seminarians > Manolito Jaldon, Jr.

 

Manolito Jaldon, Jr.

Manolito Jaldon, Jr.

Theology I

 

Home Parish:

St. Stephen

San Francisco

 

 

 

Personal Background

What town (and state if not CA)did you grow up in?

Vallejo, CA


Do you have any brothers and sisters?

1 brother – Michael Jaldon (24 year old) attends San Francisco State University, 1 sister – Morgan Jaldon (19 year old) attends Napa Community College


What is your favorite book?

Matthew Kelly “Rediscovering Catholicism”

 

What is your favorite movie?

Pixar’s “UP” is the summer hit

 

 

Educational Background

What high school did you attend?

Jesse M. Bethel High School. Vallejo, CA


What year did you graduate from high scool?

Class of 2002


What co-curricular activities were involved in?

Student Director of the high school choir; Active student in high school Leadership Program; Student Coordinator for the Renaissance Honors Program; music student in the Music Teachers’ Association of California yearly recitals, evaluations, and competitions.


What college did you go to?

Previously attended San Francisco State University and currently attending Mount Angel Seminary


What year did you graduate from college?

Expected 2010


What did you major in?

In Spring 2010 receiving B.A. in Philosophy & Religious Studies

 

 

Religious Background

How do you most like to pray?

Daily Mass and moments of quiet in front of the Blessed Sacrament

 

How did you know God was calling you to the priesthood?

Since I was fourteen years old I had a desire to be a priest. Father Ed Lewis from Saint Vincent Parish in Vallejo and Father Ray Reyes at Saint Patrick Parish in San Francisco were some of the first priests who inspired me.

 

Were you ever an altar boy?

When I was a young boy I would accompany my grandmother to Saint Patrick Parish in downtown San Francisco. She sang in the parish choir every week. I volunteered to be an altar boy on my own accord. We were known as the Knights of the Holy Table. Father Ray Reyes and Carmen Gadhi, a parishioner, were the ones who taught me to serve. One of my fondest memories as a new altar boy was serving for Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, Philippines.

 

Who did you talk to about your calling?

I always had my youth ministry in Vallejo and throughout the Bay Area along with close friends who continuously nurtured my vocation.

 

What was your parent’s reaction?

My parents are very supportive of my vocation. They continue to stand in the background cheering me on. My grandmother has been the biggest influence in my life. When I was a young boy studying at the Conservatory of Music, she invited me to pray the rosary with her every night and I accompanied her every Sunday to Mass at Saint Patrick Church in downtown San Francisco.

 

What was your friend’s reaction?

Many of my friends were very supportive of my official decision to continue my discernment in the seminary. They were very happy for me and support me with their continued prayers.

 

Who was the priest(s) that influenced your vocation?

There have been many priests who have nurtured my vocation in a variety of ways.

 

How familiar were you with seminary before applying?

I entered the seminary like an open book as I have never been part of a Catholic educational institution.

 

What do you like about the seminary the most?

The brotherhood and community has been a very important part of my life in the seminary.

 

Who is your favorite Saint?

Saint Cecilia

 

 

My Story

All my life, I loved my music. I loved serving the people through my music ministry whether it was for Sunday masses, school liturgies, weddings, or funerals. At the same time, I was involved with many youth ministries throughout the Bay Area. I came to a point in my life where I knew I could give the people of God something more in my service. In 2005 I sought out the heart of God in a new way and this discernment has led me to unravel a desire that I have had since I was a young teenager: the priesthood.