ALUMNI | LUMEN
15
Baptised a Catholic as an infant , Msgr Ambrose believes his calling to priesthood was channelled and translated through the various experiences he had as he grew up . Among them were his close relationships with priests , the influence of his priest-uncle , his involvement in parish activities , especially the Altar servers and the parish youth group . “ I did not find it difficult to answer the call to be a priest as it seemed a progression from the way I had fallen in love with Christ and the Church ( his Body ) which I belonged to . Furthermore , I realised that even as I enjoyed teaching , the role of the priest calls him to be a teacher as well .”
His student years in SJI also provided Msgr Ambrose the direction and formation he needed , and till today , it has helped him in his awareness of how blessed and gifted each one of us is , in our own way and how we are called to gift others . He attributes SJI for the holistic formation he received as he fondly recalls , “ I remember being made to feel how special we each were in the eyes of God and the difference we can and must make to society . Although there was an emphasis on doing well in academic pursuits , what stood out for me was the accent on true excellence as the product of not only being responsible with our gifts ( working hard ) but doing so together with the Lord ( prayer ) and living out the school ’ s motto " Ora et Labora ". There was a right balance of emphasis on developing our human , intellectual , spiritual and social life .”
God wants good priests , not just priests . Being a priest is easy but being a good priest is difficult . If you want to be a priest , make sure you ’ re a good one .
Even as Msgr Ambrose teaches others God ’ s word and His ways , he , himself has learnt many precious lessons from the Master Teacher . One of which is the constant reminder , God gives him in his ministry to others : “ If the Lord were not to build , in vain does the builder labour ” ( Psalms 127:1 ). Msgr Ambrose recognises his limitations are transformed into strengths due to the way God uses him . Another important observation that he has made is people ’ s great hunger for love and meaning in life that they have but they are not always able to know how to satisfy that need in the best way . He also realises there is a tendency for us , humans , to criticise and highlight mistakes which in turn gives us a very imbalanced and erroneous appreciation of individuals , families and communities . That , he feels is unfortunate as often goodness is not sufficiently appreciated .
The late Reverend Father Pierre Barthoulot , the Rector of the then St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary for 25 years , once said , “ God wants good priests , not just priests . Being a priest is easy but being a good priest is difficult . If you want to be a priest , make sure you ’ re a good one .” Msgr Ambrose ’ s definition of a good priest is one who must first do less and let Christ do more – for him , with him and through him . “ He is one who reflects Christ the Good Shepherd , in being available to serve without demanding would entail therefore the need to know and be where those in need are , eager to respond to them in love and service .”
For any Josephian who is contemplating priesthood , Msgr Ambrose recommends : Grow closer to Christ ; develop a fondness for prayer ; seek knowledge of the way he thinks and acts which requires reading of the Bible and being familiar with at least the four Gospels ; talk to priests or religious about their life and ministry ; attend vocation talks and retreats ; seek to exercise generosity and service – one can start at home , in school and in church and in the community . Like Msgr Ambrose , be ready to be that gift to others .
This page ( top ): Msgr Ambrose Vaz receiving the offertory gifts at the Teacher ’ s Day Mass
This page ( bottom left ): A group photo with Fathers Adrian Danker , SJ , Edward Seah and our altar servers