No permanent address

On my way to the World Trade Center at the CCP Complex, I had time to visit the urban poor community struggling to save their homes along the R10 road in Navotas. Since our last-minute intervention last week, the police and DPWH demolition team have not returned to finish off the few remaining houses in the area they were assigned to demolish. The people came out to the road in front of an empty area where their homes once stood. Along the road was a rope with placards protesting against the demolition. “We hardly sleep here. We are in constant vigil in case the police and demolition teams return.” This was what one of the women leaders told me. They all looked tired and sleepy but as they expressed their fear and exhaustion, there was also relief and peace on their faces. They could even smile.

This was the picture I carried with me to the Second National Clergy Retreat. I parked my jeep at the parking area to the right side of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and from there, I walked towards CCP and proceeded to the sidewalk along Roxas Boulevard. I must have walked for about five minutes when a car pulled over and someone opened the rear door. I recognized Fr. Linus Nicasio, SVD. “Come in, we are also going to the retreat.”

Thus went the first day of the retreat. It was a series of encounters with brother priests, many of whom I have not seen for a while. I was given an ID with a white holder, and was to look for the table which went with my ID’s color. White stood for older priests who have served twenty years and above. As I walked around the huge hall, I began to bump into brother priests who reminded me of significant moments of my life. There was Fr. Badge Banga of Pagadian who flew with me to Rome in 1983 for our post-graduate studies. There was Fr. Tony Ranada who was with me at UP Diliman in 1982. There was Fr. Jojo Gonda who worked with me at the Commission on Vocations of the CBCP in the 90’s. There was Fr. Lito Malibiran who helped me in many of the activities of GOMBURZA. There was my friend Fr. Querox Villanueva who throughout the many years of my life was an assuring presence.

My classmates were also there: Fr. Edwin Mercado and Bishop Chito Tagle. Fr. Efren Estaniel of Bukidnon sat with me during the first few hours. He talked about Bukidnon politics and the background to the decision of Fr. Dodge Tabios to run. There were also my Columban priest friends: Fr. John Leydon of Malate and Fr. John Keenan, chaplain of Centro Escolar University. Fr. John told me of his volunteer work at the Many Youth Reception Center in Arroceros. I also saw Fr. Carlo of the Canossian Fathers. Fr. Angel of the Momfort Fathers also approached me and told me about his current concerns.

I also saw some of my brother priests in the Diocese of Cubao: Fr. Aytoy, Msgr. Mortillero, Msgr. Dan, as well as Fr. Cami from my adoptive diocese of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa. I saw bishops too: Bishop Juanich of Taytay, Palawan; Bishop Fernando Capalla; Bishop Camillo Gregoria; and my friend Bishop Bay of Calbayog.

The hall was packed. Later it was announced that around five thousand five hundred priests were present. I looked around the whole place teeming with priests. I took in what I saw and thanked the Lord. I humbly acknowledged a vocation that I shared with these men. This is the vocation spoken of in today’s gospel, “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.” More than five thousand of us are here today, renewing a response to an awesome task given us many years ago. It was good to be here after four years of being away. I am back but not in the usual way as parish priest. Many of my brother priests have asked me where I am now. My joking answer has been, “I am NPA…no permanent address, no parish assignment.” We laughed and it was enough. No explanations needed. It had been a challenging and difficult four years of voluntary exile. I have learned much and have much more to learn as a human person and priest.

As I left the hall and walked back to my jeep, I said a simple prayer: Bless us, your priests, oh Jesus. We are sinful and weak men whose only desire is to follow you and give our lives completely to you. We have had highs and lows, successes and failures in this noble vision to follow you. Some of us are new on the path. Some of us are getting old and quite a few are well advanced in age. Continue to use us for your kingdom of justice, peace, truth and love. And lead us always to the eternal springs of deep communion with you as we celebrate the Mass and as we withdraw into the silence each day. Amen.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites