Venerable Teofilo B. Camomot: Lover of God, Servant of the Poor

Venerable Teofilo B. Camomot (1914 - 1988)

Founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Teresa

Early Life and Formation

Archbishop Teofilo Bastida Camomot was born in Cogon, Carcar, Cebu on March 3, 1914 and was baptized the following day, Wednesday, March 4, as what was customary at the time.  He was the third of eight children of Luis Camomot and Angela Bastida. He received the sacrament of confirmation on August 22, 1915.  From an early age, he was immersed in a deeply religious environment that nurtured his vocation.  

Affectionately known as "Lolong", by family and friends, young Teofilo exhibited a compassionate heart, often asking her mother for food to share with the less fortunate in their community.

After completing his elementary education at Carcar Elementary School, he chose to assist his father in their farm, aspiring to become an agriculturist - a path his mother discouraged, preferring he pursue a religious vocation.  A pivotal moment came when his brother, Fr. Diosdado Camomot visited, and upon leaning that Teofilo was not attending school, encouraged him to consider the priesthood. 

Heading his brother's counsel, he entered the Seminario Menor de San Carlos in Mabolo, Cebu City for his secondary education. He then advanced to the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos for his philosophical and theological studies.  His seminary years were marked with deep piety, humility and commitment to serving others. 

Pastoral Ministry and Episcopal Service

Teofilo was ordained a priest on December 14, 1940.  After his ordination to the priesthood, he was assigned to serve as an assistant priest in various parishes. 

In 1943, he was appointed parish priest of Sta. Teresa Parish in Talisay, Cebu.  As a shepherd, he lived a simple and unpretentious life.  Before celebrating mass, he would first visit the sick and help them with their needs.  

On March 26, 1955, he was appointed titular Bishop of Clysma and auxiliary bishop of Jaro.   In 1959, he was appointed co-adjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro and parish priest of the parish of St. Rita in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.  While at St. Rita, he founded the Carmelite Tertiaries of the Blessed Eucharist from the desire of four former nuns to come together and form a new congregation.  From this foundation, eight different congregations have emerged, the Daughters of St. Teresa which now has pontifical approbation, Missionary Congregation of Mary (Malaybalay, 1970), Blessed Virgin Missionaries of Carmel (Bacolod City, 1971), Sisters of the Rural Mission (Bacolod, 1973), the Teresian Daughters of Mary (Davao City, 1974), Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family (Cagayan de Oro City, 1980), Missionary Institute of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Tagbilaran City, 1984), and the Teresian Missionaries of Mary (El Salvador City, 1985).

Bishop Camomot with the Carmelite Tertiaries
of the Blessed Eucharist

Health Challenges and Return to Cebu

In 1968, Bishop Camomot underwent surgery for a chronic kidney disease which required him to take a break.  He decided to resign as co-adjudor bishop of Cagayan de Oro and returned to Cebu where he became auxiliary bishop to Cardinal Julio Rosales who appointed him parish priest of El Pardo, Cebu City.  On February 19, 1976, he was appointed parish priest of Carcar, Cebu, his hometown, wile also fulfilling other responsibilities in the Archdiocese.

Death and Legacy

On September 27, 1988, while on his way to his parish, his car was figured in an accident that caused his death.  He truly lived out his name Teofilo, which means "lover of God".  He spent his 74 years on earth loving and serving God and his fellow man especially the poor, the sick, and the homeless. 

Cause for Beatification

On October 10, 2010, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal happily announced that Rome had granted permission to open the Cause for Beatification of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, which will begin with an investigation of the life and holiness of the good Archbishop.  Cardinal Vidal formed a commission to conduct research and study towards the possibility of beatification and canonization of Archbishop Camomot.  The process was initiated by the Daughters of St. Teresa, the congregation which he founded.

In a recent turn of events, Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, vice-postulator of the Cause of Bishop Teofilo Camomot announced that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has accepted the positio on the Servant of God Bishop Teofilo L. Camomot.  The positio will be subject to the examination of theological experts and then by a group of Cardinals to ensure that the Servant of God lived a life of holiness and possessed "heroic virtues".  If they give their approval, the Servant of God can now be called Venerable.

The positio, which consists of 4 chapters and 516 pages contains important data that shed light on whether the Servant of God truly lived a holy life and possessed "heroic virtues" based on his writings and the accounts of witnesses.  It is the product of 4 years of data gathering through research and interviews conducted by the postulation team.  Msgr. Paul Pallath was assigned as the relator of the positio.

On May 21, 2022, Pope Francis recognized Archbishop's heroic virtues declaring him "Venerable" which is a significant step in the canonization process.

The simplicity and austerity of Archbishop Camomot's life is attested to by many who knew him as well as by his fellow bishops.  There are many stories about his practice of Franciscan-like poverty.   

Msgr. Paul Pallath (extreme right) the
appointed relator of the  positio

Cardinal Vidal once recounted that he noticed that Archbishop Camomot was not wearing his pectoral cross so he finally asked him where was it.  The archbishop immediately made excuses for not wearing it.  Later, Cardinal  Vidal discovered from a priest that Archbishop Camomot had pawned his pectoral cross to give money to the poor.  So the Cardinal gave him a new pectoral cross and instructed him not to give it away.  

Cardinal Vidal also mentioned the statements about the Archbishop's bilocution, whereby he was seen in two places at the same time.  The Cardinal himself signed an affidavit confirming this incident.  The witness, a priest, said that he was next to him in a meeting of the Consultores while the archbishop was asleep.  But someone also said that at the same time and day, Archbishop Camomot was in a mountainous area in Carcar administering the last sacraments to a dying person.  These are just some of the stories that prove the goodness, humility and holiness of Venerable Teofilo Camomot.

The life of Archbishop Camomot reminds the faithful of the profound impact one individual's commitment to God's call can have on a community and beyond.  May his life encourage us to live with compassion, humility and a heart open to serving others. 

For updated information on the cause of Bishop Camomot's beatification, visit the official Bishop Camomot website.

*updated 8 May 2025

The Daughters of St. Teresa

References:

Ureta, Angela Blardony. (2013). God is in the Heart: The Life and Pastoral Ministry of Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot. Cebu City: Daughters of St. Teresa.

Photos: CTTO