PHOTO by Ken Garcia
PALO, LEYTE – The clergy of the Archdiocese of Palo celebrated its annual renewal of priestly promises on Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021, the final mass before the Easter Triduum, the climax of our Holy Week celebration.
About 165 priests gathered at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral to asseverate their priestly vows and witness the blessing of the holy oils which will be used for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and holy orders throughout the year.
The celebration of the Chrism Mass was graced by the Archbishop of Palo, His Grace Most Rev. John F. Du, DD and attended by priests from different Vicariates under the said Archdiocese.
The annual celebration of Chrism Mass is an important gathering that priests and the community should constantly know.
“Do your life always in prayer. Be prayerful,” said Most Rev. John F. Du, DD, in his homily.
“The work of salvation in the Church cannot be achieved without you,” Archbishop Du added, expressing his thanks and gratefulness to all priests who were with him on the celebration of the Chrism Mass.
He also stated that our ministry becomes fruitful when we share what we receive from the Lord.
The said celebration was attended by a smaller crowd than usual, comprised of priests, religious nuns, seminarians, and select people from the music ministry to maintain physical distancing implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Before the final blessing, Archbishop Du announced the new Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Palo: Rev. Msgr. Gilbert G. Urbina, S.Th.D., S.L.L. Moreover, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Joy Apurillo, Chancellor, announced the new pastoral assignments.
– Karl Palacio (Youth, Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration)