Davao City - Four (4) redemptorist deacons were ordained to priesthood amidts the threat of pandemic last November 23, 2020. The new ordained priests were Fr. Eric Soliven Sevencruz, CSsR from Valencia City Bukidnon, Fr. Jose Lemuel Nadorra, CSsR from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Fr. Kenneth Dan Gallamaso, CSsR from Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, and Fr. Joey Valross Trillo, CSsR from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte .
Most Reverend Abel C. Apigo, D.D. from the diocese of Mati was the ordaining bishop who was also their ordaining bishop during their diaconal ordination last January 2020.
The simple celebration was attended by few people due to the threat of COVID-19. With the strict implementation of protocols, some parents, relatives and friends of the ordinands were not able to join the celebration. Fortunately, the ordination was live streamed in facebook so that those who were not present during the event were able to witness the said celebration.
During his homily, Bp. Apigo reminds the ordinads their priestly responsibilities as called to be the light and salt of the earth as he thanked the Lord for the gift of vocation to the new ordained priests. He also thanked the formation team and collaborators who in a way became God's hands in moulding the young priests during their formation years.
"Wherever you are assigned, you are doing it in collaboration with your bishop and your superiors. Shepherding posts a lot of challenges. But if you are working hand in hand with your bishop and superiors, you will fulfil your mission into a memorable one. And so render always your obedience to your provincial superior and your bishop," Bp. Apigo said.
He also emphasized two important things when it comes to preaching: simplicity in the convent and charity in the confessional. For Bp. Apigo, simplicity is to have a well-prepared, well-meditated homilies so that people can deeply understand the message of God's love.
On the other hand, confession must not be a torture chamber for the people but an encounter of mercy. Priests must have the passion to hear confession as lived by their founder St. Alphonsus Liguori.
He concluded by acknowledging the vocation at present and invited the people to pray for young men and women to embrace the religious life and vocation.
The congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as Redemptorists is a religious congregation of the Catholic Church dedicated to missionary work founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori.
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