A baptized parishioner of St. Andrew’s Church and alumnus of Holy Angels Grammar School in Colma, some of Father Geronimo’s first memories include going to Sunday Mass with his parents. “As a little boy, I wanted to be a priest. I would come home from Mass and pretend to say Mass myself. I’d wrap a blanket around my shoulder like a chasuble, and call all of the kids from my grandparents’ day care to the dining room table to have Mass. I’d use cookies and juice, and even heard confessions and married couples.” Though all of this was done in fun, Father Geronimo was truly intrigued by the priesthood, and his interest only deepened as he aged.

That initial calling continued into his high school years at SHC, where served as an altar server and participated in Masses and events, including ordinations. “As the newly ordained priests came out of the sacristy, I noticed that they all had this sense of joy and peace on their faces. That moment has always stuck with me.” He credits his invitation to become a priest and strong relationship with the Lord to a daily occurrence during his high school years. His grandfather would drive him home from school every day, but more often than not, he would be running a bit behind schedule. Instead of waiting outside for his grandfather to arrive, Father Geronimo would go into the Cathedral of St. Mary the Assumption and kneel in front of the tabernacle to pray. “What started out as killing time while waiting for my grandfather turned into a daily prayer experience that lasted throughout the four years of high school. As a result of that daily prayer, I grew closer to our Lord and developed a deeper personal relationship with him. By the time I graduated from high school, I knew that the Lord was calling me to be a priest.” In hindsight, it seems like divine providence that years later he would return to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, but this time as an assigned priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

One of his favorite high school memories came during his sophomore year when he volunteered at nearby St. Anthony’s Dining Room in the Tenderloin. Serving food and simply being present with the guests instilled in him the dignity of every human person. “That experience taught me that faith is not just something to be learned in the classroom, but something to be lived through by serving and caring for others.” A handful of his teachers had a profound impact on his life. “I am particularly grateful to my sophomore religion teacher, Dr. Heidi Harrison. Her love for the Catholic faith and her method of teaching religion encouraged me to think critically and enter into meaningful discussions about our faith.” His two Spanish teachers, Mercedes Gonzalez-Marrow and the late Martha Melara, also made a lasting impression. “They both taught me the beauty of the Spanish language and culture. Little did I know that I would one day be serving as the only vicar for the Spanish-speaking community at the Cathedral.” One of the greatest joys of his priesthood has been experiencing the profound faith and strong family values of the Hispanic community.

Father Geronimo was ordained a priest in June 2022, as the first Filipino-American for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and soon after also was named as both an Associate Pastor and Administrator at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. In the role of Associate Pastor and Administrator, his daily tasks are as varied as they are constant: celebrating daily Mass, hearing confessions, preparing engaged couples for marriage, counseling, providing spiritual direction and working with the Cathedral staff and ensuring smooth functioning of parish and Cathedral life. In the special seasons of Advent and Lent, he also helps to organize retreats, pilgrimages and special events for the parish. 

Father Geronimo is also the Associate Director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, where he assists in planning major Archdiocesan events such as the Rite of Election, Chrism Mass and the Ordination of Priests for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. While his duties are plentiful, the one aspect of priesthood he finds most rewarding is Confession. “The thing that I enjoy most about being a priest is to bring Christ to people in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confession,” he said. “One of the most moving moments for me is when I hear someone in the confessional say, ‘Forgive me, Father, it has been 20, 30, or even 50 years since I have been to confession.’ To be able to help someone to return to God after so many years of being away is one of the most powerful moments as a priest.” 

In addition to his duties at the Cathedral, Father Geronimo recently began as chaplain for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, where he provides spiritual guidance and crisis intervention for the deputies, staff and their families. “As a chaplain for the sheriff’s department, it is mostly a ministry of presence to the deputies and staff, to let them know that we are praying for them and appreciate all that they do to serve our City,” he said. “As a priest, it is a powerful reminder of the impact that we can have on people’s lives when they are in crisis.” 

Father Geronimo has the same hope in the Church as he has had since he was young. He says he often reflects back to the prayer said every morning at SHC: “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.” Praying like this every morning allows him to recognize the presence of God in everything and in every person, and now he is finding the same attitude amongst young people. “The young people and their faith and excitement about the Church give me the most hope for the future of the Church,” he said. Their faith and enthusiasm, he believes, offer a powerful sign of hope for the future.