Starwitness Team
Fr Dave Concepcion is akin to a revered figure in priestly attire, owning just one pair each of black shoes and sneakers.
His congregation comprises individuals moved and captivated by his sermons, reflections, and the religious journeys he leads.
His teachings are a fusion of doctrine and personal insights. His words, threaded together like beads on a rosary, provide solace, support, and illumination akin to Christmas lights brightening a dark night.
Fr Dave Concepcion
As countless followers can affirm, Fr. Dave’s messages, shared from the pulpit of Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati, since January of this year, resonate deeply with listeners, whether delivered in church or beside the Sea of Galilee.
He does not simply preach; he connects through the wisdom of one who intimately knows and loves God, understands life, and cherishes humanity. Blessed with the ability to distill God’s Word and human emotions, he communicates with grace.
“Everything is grace,” affirms Fr. Dave, marking his 25th year in the priesthood. I was fortunate to participate in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land guided by him in 2019. Following that journey, a new wave of Fr. Dave admirers emerged.
Fr. David Dave’s profound empathy for people and unwavering belief in God’s love enable him to bridge Gospel truths with everyday experiences. He speaks a language that resonates universally, weaving in anecdotes that reflect daily life—from street corners to palaces.
Early life
Originally from Lucena, Quezon, Fr. Dave experienced hardship in his earlier years. During college, he and his brother shared a single pair of rubber shoes. When his brother returned home, the shoes were briefly aired out before Fr. Dave would wear them in the afternoon.
As a young parish priest, he and his assistant sometimes had to share a single fried egg for breakfast, which miraculously appeared under the cloak of a statue of the Blessed Virgin inside the church.
Before his current assignment, Fr. Dave served as the parish priest of Maria Goretti Parish in Paco, Manila. He also serves as the president of Catholic Travel Inc., an organization that allocates a portion of its earnings to support sick and abandoned priests.
Early Career
Fr. Dave initially pursued a career in mechanical engineering, earning his degree from Adamson University. However, he entered the priesthood later in life, feeling a strong calling he couldn’t ignore. Despite having a girlfriend at the time, he made the decision to enter the seminary in 1992 when he was in his thirties.
Reflecting on his journey, Fr. Dave recalls a pivotal moment during a personal retreat when he questioned his path in life, asking God, “What do you want from me?” Though the answer didn’t come immediately, he felt a clear and resolute discernment. “God was silent, but on the last weekend, He said, ‘Make a choice and I will bless you.'”
A call for  missionary work
Before entering the seminary, Fr. Dave received a significant sign from a friend who, unaware of his discernment process, unexpectedly suggested, “Why don’t you become a priest?” This moment had a profound impact on him, feeling like a sudden awakening.
His decision to pursue priesthood caused emotional turmoil, particularly with his girlfriend in tears and facing opposition from his Protestant father. Despite these challenges, Fr. Dave remained determined, even though he had moments of doubt and wished he wouldn’t be accepted. However, he successfully overcame all obstacles.
An earlier near-death experience, when he was stabbed multiple times and left bleeding on the streets without assistance, deeply influenced his life choices. Miraculously surviving the attack, he underwent emergency surgery that narrowly missed his lungs. Reflecting on this, Fr. Dave felt a sense of gratitude toward God, despite the delayed realization of divine presence.
Upon making a pivotal decision in his life, Fr. Dave prayed, acknowledging his uncertainty but affirming his faith in God’s love and his own devotion. This prayerful resolve became a cornerstone for him during times of confusion or questioning, reinforcing his commitment to act out of love for God in everything he does.
Fr Dave conceptions Missionary career
Fr. Dave has never regretted his decision to enter the priesthood, even after 25 years, over 9,125 Masses, numerous pilgrimages, counseling sessions, and countless prayers.
Also read: Afua Asantewaa Biography, Relationship, Career
Reflecting on leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in February 2019, Fr. Dave highlighted the most fulfilling aspect as the transformation of the group from pilgrims into a close-knit family by the journey’s end. Quoting Peter Gomes, he emphasized that life’s pilgrimage is about unity with the Creator, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and fellowship within the Christian community.
When questioned by a millennial about why younger generations are losing interest in attending church, Fr. Dave advised parents not to underestimate their children’s attention. Despite appearing disengaged, young people are often quietly observing and listening. Fr. Dave encouraged greater involvement to reveal their surprising hunger and commitment once engaged.
How do you get there?
Fr. Dave emphasizes the importance of listening to young people and understanding their perspective. He believes that youth aren’t disinterested in church because it’s boring but rather seek more experiential and relatable forms of engagement.
By setting an example they can connect with, even through humor, he finds that they unexpectedly empathize when he shares experiences they can relate to.
Fr. Dave’s ultimate personal goal is heaven. He reflects on this aspiration, quoting a saint who said, “Apart from heaven, everything is a waste.” Losing his father 12 years ago shifted his understanding of resurrection and heaven beyond a place free of sickness and problems, envisioning it as a reunion with his father—a concrete and deeply personal longing.
Before his father passed away, he expressed concern about who would care for Fr. Dave in old age. Understanding his father’s fear rather than anger, Fr. Dave advocates for the care of sick and abandoned priests through initiatives like allocating part of Catholic Travel’s income to support them.
At a recent high school reunion at Maryknoll, Lucena, Fr. Dave surprised former classmates—including those expected to become priests—by celebrating Mass. Their astonishment was met with Fr. Dave’s cheerful acceptance of his priestly vocation, humorously declaring, “You better believe it, as I’m now a priest!” This unexpected turn of events left his classmates amazed yet ultimately accepting of his chosen path.
David’s ‘Conceptions’
- “Remember, don’t confuse your journey with your destination. Our paths may not always be smooth. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. Just keep moving towards your goal. Don’t stop!'”
- “Our ultimate goal is heaven. There’s an old saying, ‘If you stop to address every distraction along the way, you’ll miss your destiny.’ Keep pressing forward. God awaits you. Pursue blessings.”
- “We must be ready to step out of our comfort zone and face life’s challenges. Just as sailors need strong winds to navigate, we need life’s storms to grow.”
- “God won’t shield you from life’s storms; perhaps He’s teaching you something valuable. Like muscles strengthened through exercise, our spiritual strength grows through trials. ‘Storms are opportunities on the path to heaven.’ Perhaps God places us in stormy seas because ‘our adversaries can’t swim.'”
- Quoting Robert Fulghum, “If you break your neck, if you’re starving, if your house is on fire—then you have a serious problem. Everything else is just an inconvenience.”
When was Father Dave born?
Dave Concepción was born on June 17, 1948, in Ocumare de la Costa, Venezuela.
Fr Dave Conceptions Stroke
According to another priest in Liturgy who said “I have been informed that diabetes is the most common ailment among priests at Cardinal Santos Hospital, affecting around 90% of our clergy and bishops, if the data is accurate.
This is a concerning statistic. Fr. Dave Concepcion, currently recovering from a recent stroke, has suggested that the frequent consumption of mass wine (or “mompo”) could be a contributing factor to the high incidence of diabetes among clergy.
This theory warrants investigation so that the Commission on Liturgy can take appropriate action. As for women religious, I am curious to know if similar health trends exist among the sisters. What is the most prevalent health issue among you, sisters?
Conclusion
Fr. Dave Concepcion emerges as a dedicated and resilient priest who embodies the essence of service and faith. Despite facing personal challenges and health issues, he remains committed to his ministry and the well-being of his fellow clergy.
Fr. Dave’s reflections on life, death, and the priesthood reveal a deep spiritual wisdom and unwavering hope in the promise of eternal life. His advocacy for investigating health concerns among priests underscores his proactive approach to addressing important issues within the Church.
Fr. Dave exemplifies a life lived in service to others, guided by faith, compassion, and a profound sense of purpose.
