LEGAZPI CITY, June 20, 2009-Bishop Administrator Lucilo B. Quiambao has challenged all the priests to restrain from secularism, worldly sciences and preserve virtues most relevant to them during the high mass held yesterday at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral, here.
"I gave this to you as challenge to all, for self-renewal and faithfulness starts now without procrastination" Quiambao stressed in his homily in the mass, attended by all Albay priests, seminarians and laity, as kickoff ceremony for the celebration of "Year for the Priests" declared by Pope Benedict XVI. The said high mass started 9:15 AM yesterday.
Quiambao, at the outset, proclaimed that this is the first kickoff for this year's celebration that would last till June 19, 2010, is the first in the country and ahead of seven hours of the observance activities in Rome.
He said the priests need prayers and meditation in order to understand earthly things like internet scanning and sublimity in conformity with the Divine will by paraphrasing God's word "Don't seek your own will, but the One who sent you"
Mentioning virtues of meekness, prudence, respect and decorum must be observed and practiced in an effort to win the sinners and weak souls especially the children and women.
"This is to enrich indulgences of the laity and priests in the fight against media secularism and unscrupulous bills," Quiambao added.
He mentioned "commitment" as an essential aspect to priestly mission as he sought the help of the faithful to pray for them in their quest for sacerdotal renewal.
Before the mass started, the Cathedral Parish Priest, Msgr. Ramon Tronqued, read the Papal pronouncement of the yearly observance and the joint celebration of the 150th death anniversary of the priests' saint, St John Baptist Marie Vianney.
The theme, "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests" was the rallying point for the first celebration of the Papal order in Albay. (Elmer James Bandol)