By Fr. Randy A. Figuracion, SDB

Cebu City, Philippines, May 23 - The Philippine Province of Mary Help of Christians (FIS) received a great gift from God: a new priest. Fr. Generoso A. Llenos, SDB is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Celeste Llenos. After having completed his theological studies at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco in Parañaque, Metro Manila he was raised to the order of the priesthood through the laying of hands by Archbishop Jose S. Palma, DD – Archbishop of Cebu on May 23, 2015 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

In his homily, Archbishop Palma said that the gift of a new priest is also a gift from the Blessed Mother on the feast of Mary Help of Christians. Moreover, he reflected that God who sent the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, continues the work of shepherding even today. God still chooses persons to become priests. He consecrates them in order to be sent. Hence the priest’s work is the work of Jesus; the work of the Church. Priesthood is closely united to the Eucharist. For this reason he reminded the people to look forward for the forthcoming International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu City next January.

The new priest, Fr. Gene, chose as his theme: Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your Mother” (Jn 19:27). Towards the end of the ordination rites, he thanked people who journeyed with him until this moment. He asked for prayers for his perseverance recalling Mama Margaret’s words to the new priest John Bosco: “to begin to say mass is to begin to suffer.” His prayer is that through his priesthood people may see God in him.