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Palo, Leyte – The clergy of the Archdiocese of Palo celebrates the ordination of six new priests and three deacons today, May 18, 2021, at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral on the month-long celebration in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Most Rev. John F. Du, D.D., Archbishop of Palo, honored through the imposition of hands the Sacrament Order to Priesthood namely Rev. Fr. Gabriel L. Daffon (St. Isidore Parish of MacArthur, Leyte), Rev. Fr. Joey M. Decio (St. Francis Xavier Parish of Palompon, Leyte), Rev. Fr. Noel A. Jordan (St. Michael the Archangel Parish of Javier, Leyte) Rev. Fr. Xandro C. Magnifico (St. Vincent Ferrer Parish of Babatngon) and Rev. Fr. Ruben John P. Manito (Our Lady of Lourdes Parish V&G, Tacloban City) and deacons namely Rev. John Andrew Avila (St. Michael the Archangel Parish of Tolosa, Leyte), Rev. Jhune Anthony Perez (St. Vincent Ferrer Parish of Canramos, Tanauan, Leyte) and Rev. Jasper Dale Rellesiva (Immaculate Conception Parish of Burauen, Leyte).
“Despite the pandemic that threatens our life, the insecurities of we are experiencing right now, God continues to be with us, accompanying us and bless us,” said Most Rev. John F. Du, DD, in his homily.
“It is not me or you who chose these people but God. It is God’s decision there must be a reason behind,” Archbishop Du, added, expressing his gratitude to the Almighty Father for the gift of vocation – that they may be fervent in welcoming Christ in their beloved ministry and His people.
He also stated that our Church is gifted in the Philippines while we are celebrating the 500 Years of Christianity.
The said event was attended by a not so enormous crowd than usual, composed roughly of 75 priests from the Archdiocese of Palo and the Dioceses of Naval and Catarman, some nuns, seminarians and selected people from the music ministry, family members, relatives, and friends of the newly ordained priests and deacons to maintain physical distancing implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Moreover, the flow of the rite to the ordination was done respectively showing how delighted the newly ordained was.
“The only consolation that we have is that the goodness and love of God will sustain us, in our sacred endeavor towards fidelity to His calling,” said Rev. Fr. Ruben John Manito, newly ordained priests, expressing his sincere gratitude on behalf of his batchmates to the people who in one way or another supported them in their journey towards the life of priesthood.
Before the final blessing, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Apurillo, Archdiocesan Chancellor, announced the new pastoral assignments of the newly ordained priests and deacons.
– Karl Palacio (Youth, Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration)