Cardinal Advincula to new deacons: Stir people to God

ROXAS City, Capiz – With tastelessness and darkness that seems to dominate the world because of the global health crisis, men of the cloth, more than ever, should restore a sense of faith in God among the people.

Ordaining three men as deacons on Dec. 14, Capiz Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula Jr. exhorted them to exercise their new responsibilities in a way that will draw people closer to God.

“Many of our brothers and sisters seem to lose life’s flavor and darkness seems to envelop the world because of the pandemic,” Cardinal Advincula said in his homily during the celebration held here at the Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium (SMMRS).

“The Lord reminds us to be salt and light to others,” he said, with reference to the Gospel according to Matthew, and pointed further that this can be done “through service which can be seen and stir others to glorify God.”

“Just as salt gives flavor and preserves it and just as light illumines, we too, are called to do the same to the lives of the people we encounter everyday,” the Cardinal added.

The newly ordained deacons – Rev. Philip M. Andrada, Rev. Michael Reeve O. Montorio and Rev. Patrick Jay B. Parce – are the first men to be ordained by the Capiz prelate since his elevation as Cardinal last month.

Following state-recommended protocols, only 45 persons – including the ordinandi’s parents – were allowed to be physically present in the said gathering at the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Capiz.

The Cardinal also reminded the ordinandi to look up to St. Joseph as their model as they proceed in their ministry as deacons.

It is worth noting that Pope Francis, in his apostolic letter ‘Patris Cordis’ released last Dec. 8, declared that, for the universal Church, the year 2021 is the “Year of St. Joseph.” It is simultaneous with the local Church’s quincentennial celebration of the Christian faith’s arrival here in the Philippine archipelago.

“Remember that like salt and light, Joseph, the foster father of the Son of God, gave flavor, preserved and illumined the life of our Lord,” Cardinal Advincula, whose patron saint and namesake is St. Joseph, said.

Moreover, the 68-year-old prelate also exhorted the ordinandi to be totally dedicated to the ministry and the state of life they commit themselves to. He also warned them against idols that stirs men of cloth to sin.

“As ministers of Jesus Christ… serve the people in love and joy as you would the Lord,” the Cardinal said, addressing the new deacons. “Since no one can serve two masters, look upon all defilement and avarice as serving false gods.”

“Firmly rooted and grounded in faith, you are to show yourselves chaste and beyond reproach before God and man, as is proper for the ministers of Christ and of the stewards of God’s mysteries,” he added.