“I would like to be a Fr. Albert Joubert here in the Philippines.” This was the moving statement of Fr. Reynaldo Reyes, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Pasig. Like Fr. Albert Joubert—one of the four martyrs of Baraka and Fizi—Fr. Rey was ordained a priest on March 31, 2007. From childhood, he had dreamed of becoming a missionary priest, but over time, he realized that the diocesan way of life was better suited for him.
Thanks to the internet, he came across the news of the beatification of the Xaverian martyrs. To his amazement, he discovered that one of them, Fr. Albert Joubert, was also a diocesan priest. It opened his eyes to the beautiful possibility of collaboration between diocesan clergy and religious congregations for the greater glory of God.
Touched and inspired, Fr. Rey called me and began actively promoting devotion to our martyrs. He printed stampitas, brochures, standees, and pictures of the martyrs. His parish, one of the Jubilee Churches in the Diocese of Pasig, now distributes these brochures to pilgrims. Every fifth Sunday of the month, Fr. Rey also invites his parishioners to make a donation to support our Philosophy Seminary. A diocesan priest organizing a second collection for a religious congregation truly stands out—it’s a remarkable gesture of unity and generosity.
Fr. Rey is especially inspired by the life and martyrdom of Fr. Joubert. For him, Fr. Joubert never abandoned his parishioners. He had the chance to leave and save his life, but he chose to remain. Fr. Rey admits there have been times in his own priestly ministry when he felt like walking away because of difficult challenges. But the example of the martyrs, especially Fr. Joubert, taught him what it means to be a true shepherd—one who stays with the flock, no matter the cost.
Fr. Rey even believes he received a miracle through the intercession of the martyrs. From February 8 to March 2, 2025, he was hospitalized with pneumonia. Today, he is healed—and he attributes that healing to the prayers of Fr. Joubert. But perhaps the greatest miracle is this: a diocesan priest who has found deep inspiration in the life of a diocesan martyr and now says, “I want to be like him.”
Fr. Patrick Santianez, SX
