austraLasia #3501
The Gift of a New Priest
CEBU CITY: August 28, 2014 – The Salesians of Don Bosco - South Province (FIS) has been blessed with the gift of a new priest! After obtaining his Bachelor of Theology degree from the Studium Theologicum Salesianum, Jerusalem Campus of the Salesian Pontifical University, Fr. Rooney John G. Undar, SDB was ordained to the presbyteral order on August 28, 2014 by his Excellency Bishop Patricio A. Buzon, Bishop of Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental. His family, relatives, friends and the representatives of the Salesian Family gathered at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes to witness this memorable event as part of the year-long preparation to celebrate the 200th birth of St. John Bosco.
In his homily, Bishop Buzon reminded his parents quoting Don Bosco’s words that “the greatest gift God can give to a family is a son priest.” But at the same time he thanked them by also quoting St. John XXIII “the greatest gift a family can give to God is a son priest.”
Reflecting on the 2nd Reading (2 Cor 12:1-10), he commented on St. Paul’s experience of having a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from being proud. Though he could have boasted of many spiritual experiences, Paul was content with his weaknesses to reveal the power of Christ. Bishop Buzon connects this by talking about Pope Francis’ vocation story. His experience of his sinfulness and God’s saving mercy in confession was what inspired him to enter the seminary. Here he challenged the soon-to-be priest: “Rooney, you will receive the greatest gift in your life – the priesthood! Receive it with humility.”
Moreover, drawing from the Gospel example of Jesus (Mt 9:36ff), he pointed out that one of the qualities of the priest is compassion. He shared one of his best definitions of the priesthood from the saintly Cure of Ars: “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” Compassion is a virtue priests need to have especially today. Our culture has slowly succeeded in making people insensitive and callous. “Even for us Salesians, our work for the poor sometimes become mere lip-service.”
He ended by also challenging the many young people who attended the event. “Give time to God because you have so much time for yourself.” Since the world has become so noisy, he invited the youth to “give time for silence to be able to listen to God.”
Towards the end, Fr. Rooney took to the podium to thank his family, his confreres and those who have helped him in his journey to the priesthood. He addressed the Salesians present by re-echoing to them what Don Pascual Chavez told him when he asked about the secret of a happy Salesian life. He was told: love your confreres! “Do not allow our cultural and personal differences to hinder us to love one another.” His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Romulo Undar, were then presented by a plaque of appreciation for their generosity in offering their son to Don Bosco.
The Gift of a New Priest
In his homily, Bishop Buzon reminded his parents quoting Don Bosco’s words that “the greatest gift God can give to a family is a son priest.” But at the same time he thanked them by also quoting St. John XXIII “the greatest gift a family can give to God is a son priest.”
Reflecting on the 2nd Reading (2 Cor 12:1-10), he commented on St. Paul’s experience of having a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from being proud. Though he could have boasted of many spiritual experiences, Paul was content with his weaknesses to reveal the power of Christ. Bishop Buzon connects this by talking about Pope Francis’ vocation story. His experience of his sinfulness and God’s saving mercy in confession was what inspired him to enter the seminary. Here he challenged the soon-to-be priest: “Rooney, you will receive the greatest gift in your life – the priesthood! Receive it with humility.”
Moreover, drawing from the Gospel example of Jesus (Mt 9:36ff), he pointed out that one of the qualities of the priest is compassion. He shared one of his best definitions of the priesthood from the saintly Cure of Ars: “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.” Compassion is a virtue priests need to have especially today. Our culture has slowly succeeded in making people insensitive and callous. “Even for us Salesians, our work for the poor sometimes become mere lip-service.”
He ended by also challenging the many young people who attended the event. “Give time to God because you have so much time for yourself.” Since the world has become so noisy, he invited the youth to “give time for silence to be able to listen to God.”
Towards the end, Fr. Rooney took to the podium to thank his family, his confreres and those who have helped him in his journey to the priesthood. He addressed the Salesians present by re-echoing to them what Don Pascual Chavez told him when he asked about the secret of a happy Salesian life. He was told: love your confreres! “Do not allow our cultural and personal differences to hinder us to love one another.” His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Romulo Undar, were then presented by a plaque of appreciation for their generosity in offering their son to Don Bosco.
