KIDAPAWAN CITY – Twelve Oblates Mary Immaculate (OMI) missionary priests on Sunday celebrated their presbyteral ordination and religious profession with the country’s top military official in attendance.
His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, archbishop of Cotabato, Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, bishop of Jolo, and Rome-based OMI Superior General Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, led the senior Oblates in a thanksgiving mass held at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine & Retreat Center in Barangay Binoligan here.
The celebration capped the annual retreat of the first batch of Oblate missionaries.
“I am here to congratulate our friend Oblates,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. told the missionary priests. He stayed with the Oblate priests for about two hours and exchanged pleasantries with Cardinal Quevedo.
Fr. Armand Carignan, OMI, celebrated the 70th anniversary of the profession of his vows while Fr. Christopher O’Leary, OMI celebrated his 50th presbyteral ordination. Both failed to attend the celebration due to health reasons.
Fr. Joel Canonizado, OMI also celebrated the 50th anniversary of his religious profession. Six other Oblates, including the OMI provincial superior in the Philippines Fr. Charlie Inzon, celebrated their 25th-year presbyteral ordination.
They are Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, Fr. Jonathan Domingo, Fr. Francis Zabala, Fr. Gerry Delos Reyes, and Fr. Franklin Mirasol. Also celebrating their 25th year of religious profession are Fr. Rizalde Orola, and Fr. Gene Gilos, both of the same congregation.
Joining the celebrants were their immediate families, friends, parishioners, supporters and coworkers in various Oblate ministries. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
