CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma reminded 13 previous seminarians “to serve and not to be served” as he ordained them to the transitional diaconate in a mass yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
They newly ordained deacons are Reverend Arnel Autida, Teodoro Baruc, Dave Christopher Cantillas, Renato Destacamento, Severino Escobido, Kent Dahrel Galo, Erik Orio, Arnel Ponce, Giuseppe Pongase, Melchor Rizon, Florido Rosales, Jonathan Rubin and Junrey Siman.
They all received holy orders in the mass in time for the Feast of the Holy Innocents and will now begin the final step of their formation for the priesthood.
“You belong to the Cebu clergy starting today until your last breath,” Palma told them, pointing out that the deacons have already professed a vow of consecrated celibacy, which is “a way of making a personal response to God’s call.”
Palma, in his message, reminded them to always keep the faith as their vocation is not always a smooth-sailing one.
“We can live an easy life. But in fact, they are ordained on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which is a reminder that in the church, there are those who suffer, caught in the crossfire between the powers of the Lord and the powers of the world,” he said.
He said whatever challenges await them, they should hold on by saying “yes” to the calling of the Lord.
The deacons, he said, must also recognize that there are always inconveniences either in life or in their chosen vocation.
“But if we know that there’s a grace of God, then it is sufficient,” he said.
Palma also reminded them of the things they should remember while practicing their calling, like serving the people, especially those who are marginalized and those who suffer.
Calling it “a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving,” Palma said the ordination was a significant moment leading to Cebu’s hosting of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, just weeks from now, on January 24 to 31.
For the newly ordained deacon Rubin, who is also the media relations officer for the 51st IEC, the ordination enabled him to step closer to his dream.
“Being a priest is really my dream ever since. We are one step forward to becoming a priest and even bishop,” he said.
Though he admitted that he is not fully ready for his new duties, Rubin said he will work hard everyday to be always ready while acknowledging his feat as a grace from God.
“Nalipay kay human sa pila ka tuig nga pag-eskwela, nahuman gyud. Grasya sa Ginoo nga gihatag. Everything is grace from God,” he said.
The deacons are expected to be ordained to priesthood after six months.
Presently, they will be an ordinary minister of baptism, and will be able to preside at weddings, assist the priest at masses, proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.
Ordination of a deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of graduate study in theology, and takes place usually one year prior to priestly ordination.
Yesterday’s celebration culminated with the imposing of the hands and the prayer of consecration, after which, the appreciative audience joyously welcomed the new deacons with an extended applause. —/JMD (FREEMAN)