A RELIGIOUS VOCATION IS NEVER LATE

Msgr. Dan Sta. Mara as he appears on the cover of his  third book:

One interesting career journey  featured  in "Pointers for New College Graduates" is that of  a priest, who found his calling way past college graduation. 

Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao,  recalls his  years before and after entering the seminary. 

He was born and raised,   together with  eight siblings.  in Mandaluyong City,  He wanted to reciprocate the dedication and hard work of his parents,  and did so  by graduating summa cum laude at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he earned his degree in BS Chemical Engineering.

Like a typical new graduate, Msgr. Dan thought he would be a family man.  When he was in college, he had a girlfriend , who broke up with him when he had to leave  the country  for  his masteral studies at Clarkson University in New York.

Msgr. Dan experienced how it was like to be corporate executive. He worked for years with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio and with Dupont in Houston, Texas.  

Yet the call of a priestly vocation  proved too powerful for Msgr. Dan.  His  life took a big turn when he returned  in 1979 to the Philippines and decided to enter San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, then later, San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. . 

After what seemed  like a long and colorful journey, Msgr. Dan was ordained priest in 1986 at   the age of forty-three.

Learn more about Msgr. Dan's vocation story and his pointers for young adults at life's many crossroads.

Ms. Dan Sta. Maria wrote the foreword of "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.