Fr. Wilson Aringoy Jerusalem was born on October 20, 1985, in the vibrant barangay of Candamiang, Santander, Cebu, Philippines, to his loving parents, Felicisima Rivera Aringoy and Eugenio Cuento Jerusalem. He grew up in a bustling household with five sisters and four brothers, where he learned the values of family, faith, and hard work.
His educational journey began at Candamiang Elementary School, where he completed his primary education in 1998. He then pursued his secondary education at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla, Cebu, graduating in 2001.
Following graduation, he embarked on a professional path, joining Karikawa Cebu Corporation in MEPZ 1, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where he worked until 2005. However, feeling a deeper calling, and with the assistance of Sister Teresita Prudente, he returned to the Sisters of Mary School to further discern his vocation.
In 2006, with strong conviction to serve God, he entered the Brothers of Christ Congregation in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he remained until 2009. Discernment later led him to pursue the diocesan priesthood.
His journey toward priesthood brought him to San Carlos Seminary College in Mabolo, Cebu City, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in 2015. During this time, he distinguished himself with a Silver Medal and Service Award for academic excellence. His thesis, “Blaise Pascal's and Michel de Montaigne's Concept of Diversion: A Comparative Study,” demonstrated his intellectual rigor and critical thinking.
He later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at La Universidad de Navarra in Spain, where he founded the “Spes Missio Community,” dedicated to serving both the corporal and spiritual needs of others. After completing his theological studies and receiving his diploma in 2019, he returned to Cebu for pastoral training. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served faithfully in his parish while awaiting ordination. On December 8, 2020, he was ordained deacon at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Following this, he was assigned to Holy Rosary Parish in Inayagan, Cebu, before being ordained to the priesthood on August 2, 2021, alongside seven others. Immediately after his priestly ordination, he served as Treasurer of Academia de San Agustín in Carmen, Cebu.
In 2023, recognizing the financial needs of the school, he sought opportunities abroad. This led him to the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey, USA, where he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. On August 31, 2023, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Philip and St. James Parish in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, where he ministered especially to the Hispanic community, making use of his proficiency in Spanish.
Despite his pastoral responsibilities in the United States, Fr. Wilson remained connected to his mission in education as Treasurer of Academia de San Agustín, Carmen, Cebu.
Currently, he is the Parochial Vicar at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Ana in Poblacion, Barili, Cebu, and also serves as the resident Administrator and School Treasurer of Academia de Santa Ana y San Joaquin in Poblacion, Barili, Cebu.
In 2025, he completed his Master of Arts in Education, Major in Administration and Supervision at Cebu Technological University. In the same year, he also finished his Doctor of Business Administration at the Atlanta College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ACLAS) in Georgia, USA.
Publications
Fr. Wilson is deeply committed to scholarship and writing, producing works that bridge faith, philosophy, and education. His publications include:
2024 – Sacred and Secular: Exploring the Evolution of Love through Catholic Teachings
2024 – Sagrado y Secular: Explorando la Evolución del Amor a Través de las Enseñanzas Católicas (Spanish edition)
2025 – Theories of Art Manual
2025 – Editor, compiler, and layout designer of On the Christian Faith (De Fide) by St. Ambrose, translated by Philip Schaff
Part of his mission as a priest-scholar is to recover the ancient writings of the Catholic Fathers of the Church and make them more accessible today by presenting them in clear, readable paperback editions for modern readers.
Legacy and Mission
Fr. Wilson continues to embody his dedication to pastoral care, education, and scholarship—serving both Church and society with zeal, creativity, and unwavering faith. His dual commitment to parish life and Catholic education reflects his lifelong mission: to form both faithful Christians and responsible citizens through the Gospel, learning, and service.
