By Cl. Jerome Quinto, SDB
Photos by Anna Wang and Don Bosco Communications

Parañaque City, the Philippines, 24 June 2016 -- On the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, ordained to the diaconate fourteen Salesians and two Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.

• Antonius Werun, SDB (VIE-Mongolia)
• Ambrusius Widiyantoro, SDB (ITM)
• Julio Da Silva Mota, SDB (ITM)
• Joseph Nguyen Quoc Dai, SDB (VIE)
• Ramil Maranan, SDB (FIN)
• Matias Mendonça Marçal De Jesus Pinto, SDB (ITM)
• Juvelan Paul Samia, SDB (FIN)
• Joseph Pham Van Truong, SDB (IND)
• Joseph Lule Mainga, FLP
• Francis Xavier Inseok Kang, SDB (KOR)
• Martino Duong Quoc Huy, SDB (VIE)
• Andrew Khisa Werunga, FLP
• Andrew Chi Sung Lim, SDB (KOR)
• Marc Will Lim, SDB (FIN)
• Samuel Adnan Ghouri, SDB (FIS-Pakistan)
• Isidore Hun Pyo Hong, SDB (KOR)

The solemn eucharistic celebration expressed eloquently the scriptural theme the new deacons chose, “I give my life for my sheep.” (Jn 10:15) Their family, friends and the young people from the Salesian settings they have served filled the national shrine to witness it. Among the concelebrating priests were Fr Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB (FIN Provincial Superior),  Fr Apolinario Ornai Maria Ornai Neto, SDB (ITM Provincial Superior), Fr Eugenio Maglasang (FIS-Pakistan Delegate) and Fr Joseph Oloi Okurut, FLP (Superior of the Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor).

Bishop Pabillo reminded the deacons of their ministry of service in the church. Foremost of which is preaching—of bringing the Word to the world, especially to the poor, and those in the fringes of society.

On behalf of their group, Deacon Marc Will Lim tried to encapsulate in words their gratitude and encouraged those who have witnessed their ordination to accompany them—to pray for them, to support them and, if needed, to correct them and lead them back to Christ. The group capped their thanksgiving message with a song, “Io Scelgo Te (I Choose You).”

It is good to note that two of the new Salesian deacons are missionaries-ad-gentes, Deacon Antonius Werun (Mongolia) and Deacon Joseph Truong (Bangladesh). Let us continue to thank the Lord for these wonderful gifts and let us not cease praying for their faithfulness to His grace.

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