Autobiography of Eric Malik.
My Vocation Story
God calls each one by name; I was already in the mind of God even when I was not yet conceived. I was born in the month dedicated to Mama Mary, on 16th May 1983 in a Catholic family, in Islamabad the capital of Pakistan. As a loving and God fearing family my parents brought me up in a very religious atmosphere. I was baptized in “Our Lady of Fatima Church”. When I was very young I was acting like a priest. After the mass, at home I was repeating the homily and giving round pieces of bread to my parents and brothers and sisters.
I completed my elementary and high school studies in “Our Lady of Fatima High School”. As this school was Catholic and just beside the parish, the religious practices were highly prioritized. The first source of my vocation was my family in connection with that the second source of my vocation was my school. I took part in all the religious activities in the school and parish. When I was in grade three, I became an altar boy. This service intensified my love for Christ and strengthened my vocation.
During my school years my family, friends, and teachers already knew that I would become a priest, on the bases of this they helped me to grow in my vocation. After my high school, I already expressed my desire to enter the seminary to my family and parish priest. As my parish priest was a diocesan priest and I did not have the orientation about of the Religious congregations, I entered the diocesan seminary. After staying there for some months with the help of my spiritual director I decided to complete my college studies at home.
I was enrolled in a private college “Islamabad College of management and commerce”. I was the only catholic student in the midst of Muslims. That was the place where I had better chance to prove my faith and show the example of good Christian and honest citizen. Even though all of my companions and teachers were Muslim but I was able to make them my friends.
After finishing the college studies, still without knowing about religious congregations and the lack of guidance in this aspect, I entered the diocesan seminary once again. I stayed there for two more years. During my stay there I read the lives of many saints, and about religious life. This knowledge enlightened my mind and heart and I decided to join religious congregation. I shared my feelings and sentiments with my rector and he allowed me to take this important step of my life. In connection with this I stayed at home for some months and studied about different religious congregations.
While doing so I also helped in the secretariat of “Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ conference”. While working there I had a good chance to search for different congregations. I started with Jesuits, but soon came to know that their policy was to admit only fresh students, as I was already in the seminary before, I had no more chance to enter. Secondly I applied in OMI’s but I got the same answer. At that time I remembered the words of my rector in the seminary, “It is always a risk to transfer from one seminary to another!” But I replied, “If God wants he will prepare a place for me.” I did not give up. My third option were the Dominicans. They were always very kind to me.
In the dark about, why OMI’s did not invite me I decided to visit Lahore (about 300 KM from Islamabad). At that time I did not know why God was directing me to go there. I went to Lahore and stayed there in the Philosophy seminary of OMI’s. The rector of the seminary was former parish priest in Islamabad. He told me that there were problems in there vocation polices and advised me to stay at home for some time and wait.
But then suddenly he changed his mind and asked me to visit a Technical Center which was under Salesians. At that time I even did not remember the word “Salesians”. I went there and met Fr. Miguel Angel Ruiz. On the first place, Fr. Miguel thought that I went there to enroll as a Technical Student, but when he came to know the reality he dealt with me in another way. He explained to me about the congregation and told me two very important things which I still remember: “We Salesians wear white T-shirt in the morning and it becomes brown in the evening, mean we really work hard; and, Don Bosco said, “You give me work, I will give you bread and God will give you heaven”. He gave me a book on the life of Don Bosco and some stampedes of Mary Help of Christians.
That night when I went back to OMI seminary I could not sleep, I read the whole book and found my life very similar to Don Bosco’s. I suppose to stay in OMI’s seminary for some more days, but it seemed to me that I had found my niche.
The next day I went back home and started helping in PCBC again. I told my family about my experience in Lahore. I still had a doubt about the Salesians because they were new in Pakistan, and as it is always a risk to join a new congregation, but still inside me there was a feeling that I was for this life, therefore I sent an email to Fr. Miguel, in which I expressed my feelings of joining the congregation. But before that I had also applied for Dominicans. As God’s ways are really very different from ours and not easy to understand and can not recognize before the due time, I experienced that too. On 24th May 2003 I received the reply of Fr. Miguel in which he invited me to stay with the Salesian Community in Lahore, and on the same day I received an invitation from the Dominicans.
I was confused and shocked and did not know what to do. But I had to choose one and decide for my life. I asked my family and they told me to do where I see God’s will. I went to the priest with whom I was working in PCBC, and told him the situation. He told me to go for Dominicans because Salesians were new and I had applied there before Salesians, but I did not see the reason so valid therefore, finally I went to my Parish Priest, and showed him the two invitations. He asked me to read them for a while and reflect on them, and then let him know that which one was more attracted for me. I did so and found the invitation of Salesians more attracting and appealing for me. I told him that and he asked me to go for it.
That very day I packed my things and went to Lahore. Fr. Hans and Fr. Miguel welcomed me warmly. I stayed there for two months. During this time I took part in some of the responsibilities such as making certificates and other small tasks in the preparation of the first graduation ceremony of Don Bosco Technical and youth center. After staying there for two months I already made my mind to be with Don Bosco forever.
I went back home for one month vacation with so much delight that could not be expressed. My family was very happy with my decision. I helped Fr. Clement in PCBC for some weeks, and I went back to Don Bosco Lahore. At that time I already took part in the big responsibilities of the school and administration together with Frs. Miguel and Hans. I taught mathematics and Catechism and assisted during the study periods and in the dormitory. I served as infirmarian and interpreted Frs. Hans and Miguel as they did not know Urdu, and I helped Fr. Hans in the office. At that time I also started translating a comic book on the life of Don Bosco in Urdu. The biggest job which I was given was the registration of the school with the education board of the government. Through these experiences and the constant guidance of the Salesians I was growing and knowing much more about the Salesian Charism, and learnt to deal with young people. I almost stayed two years in Lahore and then moved to another Salesian setting in Quetta. There I stayed for two months, there I experienced more on prayer life and working and teaching in Don Bosco Learning Center. Everyday, Fr. Peter Zago gave the conferences on the Constitutions of the congregation and the values of Religious life.
Finally it was decided that I would move to Philippines for my Pre-Novitiate. In 2005 I went to Cebu for my pre-novitiate. It was my first time to be far away from my family, friends and country. In the beginning I faced so many difficulties but with the help of Jesus and Mary I prevailed over my difficulties.
In 2006 I stated my novitiate. My novice master (Fr. Nioret) was the best priest I ever met. He understood me. My community (my fellow novices) also gave me chance to grow, because all of us were from different countries. Even though it was the most beautiful year of my Salesian life but still there were so many difficulties. Through these difficulties good Lord was preparing me for the greater challenges of life.
1st May 2007, was momentous in my life. This was the day when I had my first commitment with the Lord (my First Religious Profession). This was the day for which He was preparing me for long time and finally he called me for it. I had a special prayer on that day, “Lord make me faithful as you are always faithful, so that I may give positive response in my daily life to fulfill your will.” Indeed I realized the love and faithfulness of God, whenever I call upon Him, and He surely responses.
Now I am a Salesian and I am growing in Salesian life. Being a Salesian is a blessing, and I believe that my vocation is gift from God. Being a Salesian is to manifest God's love to all the young people and all those among whom we work. For Don Bosco, saving souls and live a holy life was the peek intention of his life, and this is what he has given to the congregation. Being happy is being holy, and being holy is doing everything with whole heart so that we will be with God in heaven. Mama Mary is the firm example of this formula, who was the guide and support of Don Bosco.
There are times when many young people ask me about my vocation, that do I not feel sad that I am living this kind of life. I answer them, “No one can make us happy unless we have inner peace and we are happy inside us.” To be happy is to fulfill God's will. Where ever God's brings us we have bloom, so that we may bear fruits of not just 30, 60, but 100 folds.
Indeed Mama Mary is the foundation of my vocation. I was born in the month dedicated to her and I consecrated myself in the same month. Therefore usually I ask myself a question, “Am I happy with my vocation?” “Yes!” And this means a lot.
Bro. Eric Maalik, SDB.
Autobiography of Eric Malik.
My Vocation Story
God calls each one by name; I was already in the mind of God even when I was not yet conceived. I was born in the month dedicated to Mama Mary, on 16th May 1983 in a Catholic family, in Islamabad the capital of Pakistan. As a loving and God fearing family my parents brought me up in a very religious atmosphere. I was baptized in “Our Lady of Fatima Church”. When I was very young I was acting like a priest. After the mass, at home I was repeating the homily and giving round pieces of bread to my parents and brothers and sisters.
I completed my elementary and high school studies in “Our Lady of Fatima High School”. As this school was Catholic and just beside the parish, the religious practices were highly prioritized. The first source of my vocation was my family in connection with that the second source of my vocation was my school. I took part in all the religious activities in the school and parish. When I was in grade three, I became an altar boy. This service intensified my love for Christ and strengthened my vocation.
During my school years my family, friends, and teachers already knew that I would become a priest, on the bases of this they helped me to grow in my vocation. After my high school, I already expressed my desire to enter the seminary to my family and parish priest. As my parish priest was a diocesan priest and I did not have the orientation about of the Religious congregations, I entered the diocesan seminary. After staying there for some months with the help of my spiritual director I decided to complete my college studies at home.
I was enrolled in a private college “Islamabad College of management and commerce”. I was the only catholic student in the midst of Muslims. That was the place where I had better chance to prove my faith and show the example of good Christian and honest citizen. Even though all of my companions and teachers were Muslim but I was able to make them my friends.
After finishing the college studies, still without knowing about religious congregations and the lack of guidance in this aspect, I entered the diocesan seminary once again. I stayed there for two more years. During my stay there I read the lives of many saints, and about religious life. This knowledge enlightened my mind and heart and I decided to join religious congregation. I shared my feelings and sentiments with my rector and he allowed me to take this important step of my life. In connection with this I stayed at home for some months and studied about different religious congregations.
While doing so I also helped in the secretariat of “Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ conference”. While working there I had a good chance to search for different congregations. I started with Jesuits, but soon came to know that their policy was to admit only fresh students, as I was already in the seminary before, I had no more chance to enter. Secondly I applied in OMI’s but I got the same answer. At that time I remembered the words of my rector in the seminary, “It is always a risk to transfer from one seminary to another!” But I replied, “If God wants he will prepare a place for me.” I did not give up. My third option were the Dominicans. They were always very kind to me.
In the dark about, why OMI’s did not invite me I decided to visit Lahore (about 300 KM from Islamabad). At that time I did not know why God was directing me to go there. I went to Lahore and stayed there in the Philosophy seminary of OMI’s. The rector of the seminary was former parish priest in Islamabad. He told me that there were problems in there vocation polices and advised me to stay at home for some time and wait.
But then suddenly he changed his mind and asked me to visit a Technical Center which was under Salesians. At that time I even did not remember the word “Salesians”. I went there and met Fr. Miguel Angel Ruiz. On the first place, Fr. Miguel thought that I went there to enroll as a Technical Student, but when he came to know the reality he dealt with me in another way. He explained to me about the congregation and told me two very important things which I still remember: “We Salesians wear white T-shirt in the morning and it becomes brown in the evening, mean we really work hard; and, Don Bosco said, “You give me work, I will give you bread and God will give you heaven”. He gave me a book on the life of Don Bosco and some stampedes of Mary Help of Christians.
That night when I went back to OMI seminary I could not sleep, I read the whole book and found my life very similar to Don Bosco’s. I suppose to stay in OMI’s seminary for some more days, but it seemed to me that I had found my niche.
The next day I went back home and started helping in PCBC again. I told my family about my experience in Lahore. I still had a doubt about the Salesians because they were new in Pakistan, and as it is always a risk to join a new congregation, but still inside me there was a feeling that I was for this life, therefore I sent an email to Fr. Miguel, in which I expressed my feelings of joining the congregation. But before that I had also applied for Dominicans. As God’s ways are really very different from ours and not easy to understand and can not recognize before the due time, I experienced that too. On 24th May 2003 I received the reply of Fr. Miguel in which he invited me to stay with the Salesian Community in Lahore, and on the same day I received an invitation from the Dominicans.
I was confused and shocked and did not know what to do. But I had to choose one and decide for my life. I asked my family and they told me to do where I see God’s will. I went to the priest with whom I was working in PCBC, and told him the situation. He told me to go for Dominicans because Salesians were new and I had applied there before Salesians, but I did not see the reason so valid therefore, finally I went to my Parish Priest, and showed him the two invitations. He asked me to read them for a while and reflect on them, and then let him know that which one was more attracted for me. I did so and found the invitation of Salesians more attracting and appealing for me. I told him that and he asked me to go for it.
That very day I packed my things and went to Lahore. Fr. Hans and Fr. Miguel welcomed me warmly. I stayed there for two months. During this time I took part in some of the responsibilities such as making certificates and other small tasks in the preparation of the first graduation ceremony of Don Bosco Technical and youth center. After staying there for two months I already made my mind to be with Don Bosco forever.
I went back home for one month vacation with so much delight that could not be expressed. My family was very happy with my decision. I helped Fr. Clement in PCBC for some weeks, and I went back to Don Bosco Lahore. At that time I already took part in the big responsibilities of the school and administration together with Frs. Miguel and Hans. I taught mathematics and Catechism and assisted during the study periods and in the dormitory. I served as infirmarian and interpreted Frs. Hans and Miguel as they did not know Urdu, and I helped Fr. Hans in the office. At that time I also started translating a comic book on the life of Don Bosco in Urdu. The biggest job which I was given was the registration of the school with the education board of the government. Through these experiences and the constant guidance of the Salesians I was growing and knowing much more about the Salesian Charism, and learnt to deal with young people. I almost stayed two years in Lahore and then moved to another Salesian setting in Quetta. There I stayed for two months, there I experienced more on prayer life and working and teaching in Don Bosco Learning Center. Everyday, Fr. Peter Zago gave the conferences on the Constitutions of the congregation and the values of Religious life.
Finally it was decided that I would move to Philippines for my Pre-Novitiate. In 2005 I went to Cebu for my pre-novitiate. It was my first time to be far away from my family, friends and country. In the beginning I faced so many difficulties but with the help of Jesus and Mary I prevailed over my difficulties.
In 2006 I stated my novitiate. My novice master (Fr. Nioret) was the best priest I ever met. He understood me. My community (my fellow novices) also gave me chance to grow, because all of us were from different countries. Even though it was the most beautiful year of my Salesian life but still there were so many difficulties. Through these difficulties good Lord was preparing me for the greater challenges of life.
1st May 2007, was momentous in my life. This was the day when I had my first commitment with the Lord (my First Religious Profession). This was the day for which He was preparing me for long time and finally he called me for it. I had a special prayer on that day, “Lord make me faithful as you are always faithful, so that I may give positive response in my daily life to fulfill your will.” Indeed I realized the love and faithfulness of God, whenever I call upon Him, and He surely responses.
Now I am a Salesian and I am growing in Salesian life. Being a Salesian is a blessing, and I believe that my vocation is gift from God. Being a Salesian is to manifest God's love to all the young people and all those among whom we work. For Don Bosco, saving souls and live a holy life was the peek intention of his life, and this is what he has given to the congregation. Being happy is being holy, and being holy is doing everything with whole heart so that we will be with God in heaven. Mama Mary is the firm example of this formula, who was the guide and support of Don Bosco.
There are times when many young people ask me about my vocation, that do I not feel sad that I am living this kind of life. I answer them, “No one can make us happy unless we have inner peace and we are happy inside us.” To be happy is to fulfill God's will. Where ever God's brings us we have bloom, so that we may bear fruits of not just 30, 60, but 100 folds.
Indeed Mama Mary is the foundation of my vocation. I was born in the month dedicated to her and I consecrated myself in the same month. Therefore usually I ask myself a question, “Am I happy with my vocation?” “Yes!” And this means a lot.
Bro. Eric Maalik, SDB.