By Cl. Jerome Quinto, SDB

Parañaque City, the Philippines, 1 May 2017 -- On the morning of the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, Archbishop Emeritus of Manila, Most Reverend Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales DD, ordained six Salesian deacons to the presbyterate in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish:

• Fr. Joseph Nguyễn Quốc Đại, SDB [VIE]
• Fr. Ramil Vispo Maranan, SDB [FIN]
• Fr. Joseph Phạm Văn Trường, SDB [INC]
• Fr. Juvelan Paul Nangit Samia, SDB [FIN]
• Fr. Martino Dủỏng Quốc Huy, SDB [VIE] Fr. Marc Will Ramos Lim, SDB [FIN]

The scriptural theme they took for their ordination comes from Luke 22:20—"Pro Vobis". This vision of their priestly ministry was beautifully and artistically depicted on their vestment, the chalice filled with the blood of the lamb poured out for you. This echoes the dream of Don Bosco at nine where the beasts became lambs and alludes to his dedication and promise to the young, "for you I study, for you I work, for you I am willing even to give my life."

"It is the church that celebrates this ordination to the priesthood." Cardinal Rosales reminded those present that the gift of priesthood is not just for the family of the ordained, for their parish, nor for the congregation where they belong. National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians filled to full capacity testifies to this. About 1200 young people, Salesians, members of other religious orders, family, relatives and friends of the newly-ordained priests witnessed the solemn rite. 114 priests concelebrated in the mass among them were the provincial superiors of FIN, FIS and VIE— Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB, Fr. Gododfredo Atienza, SDB and Fr. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Quang, SDB respectively.

Before laying his hands on the heads of the candidates, Cardinal Rosales invited everyone to join him in praying in silence for the new priests.

The parents of the new priests received a statue of Our Lady of Fatima as a lasting sign of gratitude and remembrance of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion which coincides with the Marian month and the centenary of the Marian apparitions in Fatima.

Fr. Juvelan Samia gave the thanksgiving speech on behalf of his batch mates. First among the roster of thanks that he expressed was for the cooks, drivers, maintenance personnel, security guards and office staff of the various Salesian houses, formation communities they have been to. He thanked their formators and confreres who have journeyed with them throughout the years. He was most especially grateful for the young people to whom they were sent and are their way to heaven. He recognized that what they have received is not an achievement but a gift from the boundless love and mercy of God. He affirmed and reminded those present of the common vocation to holiness, to sanctity. "Yes, we are all sinners, no exceptions. But we are called to be saints, to be holy, no exceptions."

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