Forty-nine years ago, in a high school seminary class of 36 young men — mostly just 12 years old — one answered the call to priesthood with quiet resolve and unwavering faith.
Out of those 36, only four were ordained in 1976 after 12 formative years of formation. Four years of high school and four years of college with a major in philosophy, minors in classical and biblical languages (56 units in Latin, 24 in Spanish, and additional studies in Greek and Hebrew) and five years of theology at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary.
Today, only two remain in active ministry: His Eminence Cardinal Jose F. Advincula Jr., Archbishop of Manila and his best friend and seminary classmate, Fr. Alex Legaspi, pastor of Holy Angels Church in Colma, California.
Fr. Alex’s journey was anything but ordinary. After his ordination, he served in the Philippines as professor, dean of Students, Sports director and vice-rector at St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo, guiding future priests from the Western Visayas provinces (Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Negros Occidental, Romblon, and Palawan). That was his only assignment in the Philippines from 1977 to 1979.
In 1980, he began a new chapter in the United States, serving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco in various roles: parochial vicar, pastor, parish administrator and chaplain at UCSF Hospital. Over the years, he ministered in nine different parishes.
In 1991, during the First Gulf War (Desert Storm and Desert Shield) Fr. Alex answered yet another call, this time to serve as a Catholic Chaplain in the US Navy and Marine Corps. For 22 years, he offered spiritual support to service members across the country. Though he wasn’t deployed to the Middle East during the Second Gulf War, he remained stateside to “man the fort.” He separated from military service in 2013 with the rank of Commander (equivalent to army lieutenant colonel), though he is still occasionally called for special assignments.
And through it all, one question remained in his heart: “why me, Lord?”
It is not a question of doubt but of mystery. Why, among 36, did only four came to be ordinated? Why does he remain still serving after nearly half a century?
He often speaks of a vision that helped affirms his calling — a moment of grace in which he saw eagle’s wings beside him. In Scripture, the eagle symbolizes God’s strength and protection:
“They will soar on wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31).
And so he soared — not of his own but lifted by grace.
For 49 years, Fr. Alex has lived through baptisms, weddings, funerals, confessions, hospital visits and quiet hours in prayer. Steadfast, constant and unselfishly in service to others.
And still, the question lingers: “Why me?”
Maybe the answer is in his perseverance. Maybe it’s in the strength that has quietly endured. Or maybe, as he reminds others, the answer is not his to know — but simply to live.
As we honor Rev. Alex Legaspi’s 49th anniversary of ordination, we give thanks not only for what he has done but for who he is: A faithful servant. A man of grace. A witness to mystery.
Still serving. Still praying. Still walking humbly with his God.
