The celebration, which started at 3 in the afternoon in the Parish of Our Lady of Consolation, in Quezon city, was presided by Monsignor Socrates Villegas, archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan and president of the Bishops Conference of the Philippines. More than 60 priests concelebrated, majority of them are Augustinian recollects from the communities of Manila, Quezon city, Antipolo, Cavite, Palawan and Cebu, although there were also some diocesan priests. The newly ordained priests come from different parts of the Philippines, from north to south.
“That they see in you a poor son of God, obedient to his superiors and bishops”
Monsignor Socrates started the Eucharist asking the blessing of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the Philippines, for the ten ordinands.
He emphasized in his homily the goodness and love of God, whose tangible proof is the Eucharist. He highlighted the importance of the priestly ordination and reminded the new priests to be dispensers of the sacraments of Jesus Christ himself. “When the people sees you, may they remember the immeasurable love of God to his people. That they see in you a poor son of God, obedient to his superiors and bishops”, he added.
He also made allusion to St. Augustine repeating his famous phrase: “Late I have loved you, O beauty so ancient and so new”; and another, equally famous; “Our heart is restless until it rests in You”. And he continued saying that “”there is no need to be afraid of, not even of death. You only have to fear sin”.
He highlighted the importance of the cross in the entire journey of the priesthood and exhorted them not to be afraid to carry the cross. He talked of the sacrament of Penance as an obligation of the priest: to receive and hear the penitents. And he reminded them that the ultimate destiny is always heaven; “If they assign you to the missions, or to a parish or seminary, whatever place it may be, wherever you go is in reality to heaven”.
The President of the Philippine Bishops Conference concluded his homily thanking the opportunity accorded to him in ordaining the new priests: “I thank you, he said, that you make me part of this very important stage of your priestly vocation”.
Apostolic Blessing
After more than three hours, the ordination concluded with the reading of the apostolic blessing of Pope Francis to the new priests and those present in the celebration. In continuation, the prior provincial, Dionisio Selma, had the courtesy of thanking the parents of the priests. Afterwards, the Provincial Secretary, exercising his capacity, publicly read the protocols of the assignments of each priest to his community and ministry. Finally, the ceremony was traditionally closed with the “kissing of hands”.