On March 5, Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista of Imus ordained Hendrikus Morse, Heriberto Pedro, Gelasio Joseph Bagacay, Ritchie Maguinda, and Kenn Jervic S. Cajilig at Holy Spirit Chapel, Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City, Philippines.
The newly ordained priests come from three different nationalities—the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor Leste. The newly minted priest choose the motto: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mathew 28:19).
Bishop Evangelista emphasized the significance of the icon "Santatclo," the Trinity, the candidates used on their ordination invitation. The candidates had named their group "Santatlo Class,” meaning Trinity batch.
The Trinity icon was painted by the Russian monk-artist Andrei Rublev between 1411 and 1425. The icon symbolizes profound peace and unity.
The prelate believes that the young priest's choice of a Russian Trinitarian Icon on their ordination invitation is God’s challenge to them.
"You are called, therefore, to be men of unity and peace. Wherever you are sent as SVD missionaries, be missionaries of harmony and peace,” said Bishop Evangelista.
The rector of Divine Word Seminary, Father Samuel Naceno Agcaracar, said that the ordination could be a source of hope and inspiration for the church in this wounded world.
"Amid the immense vocation crisis, we are blessed with another five brave men who commit themselves to become heroes and martyrs for the Divine Word. We pray they may become ambassadors of peace and healing in our wounded world,” said Father Agcaracar.
The newly ordained priests expressed their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Divine Word Missionary congregation.
Provincial Superiors of Divine Word missionaries from the Philippines provinces, priests, religious brothers and sisters, and faithful attended the ordination ceremony.
The Divine Word Missionaries have appointed new priests to serve in the following countries: Morse (Philippines), Pedro (Timor Leste), Bagacay (Paraguay), Maguinda (Philippines), and Cajilig (Philippines).
From its humble beginnings in 1975, the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) has grown into the most prominent international missionary congregation in the Catholic Church. The congregation is currently working in over 75 countries worldwide.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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