Time with our fathers

“SO MANY parishes I ministered to in my active years… and nary a parishioner now comes to visit me here.”

The lamentation of the Rev. Msgr. Tiks Ordonez tugs at the heartstrings. It makes one weep, beholding the sunset years of those who labored most in the vineyard of the Lord.

So, the Book says their just rewards are in the eternal hereafter. So, can’t we, those whom they served, at least make their transition to the Pearly Gates at least happier?

Among Tiks is but one of the residents at the Domus Pastorum, Bale Pari in Capampangan, the house for retired priests at the SACOP compound in the City of San Fernando. He, along with the wheelchair-bound Rev. Fr. Rex Diwa, permanently stays there. Even as the others – monsignors and reverends all: Greg Canlas, Eloy Montoya, Resty Cuevas, Pikes Carlos, -- divide their time between Domus and the homes of immediate families – younger siblings, nieces and nephews, mostly.   

Active priests afflicted with health issues also make Domus their home, like the excellent homilist Rev. Fr. Mar Miranda.

The quiet and serenity at the tree-nestled Domus make the perfect retirement paradise – for the monastic hermit. But for the diocesan who spent an active life interacting with congregations in parish after parish, that same paradise is lost in solitary exile.

Hence, Among Tiks own de profundis.

Some 10 years ago, then-Central Luzon tourism director Ronnie Tiotuico initiated regular nights-out with his ‘60s and ‘70s contemporaries at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary. Food, drinks and the casual, if commercialized, carousing with “outside” companies were the order of those nights.  

In what could only be a sudden epiphany of sorts – happening in the midst of one bacchanalia – someone blurted to Ronnie: Why do we have to spend so much just to sin? Why can’t we channel our resources, ourselves to something more positively good, befitting our seminary formation? Like looking after our former formators?

So, for over four years now, it has become a ministry of sorts for us MGCS ex-seminarians – the good Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto would rather call us “unordained alumni” – to devote some time, at the least once a month, to be with our former formators and retired pastors at the Domus Pastorum.   

It has become de rigueur for our birthdays to be celebrated at the Domus, the celebrator/s hosting sumptuous lunch, oftentimes with Apu Ceto in attendance. On three occasions, Archbishop Dong Lavarias joined us too.

For the past three years, we have had our Christmas parties at Domus, with the usual gift-giving to our dear fathers.

The homecoming of MGCS ex-seminarians from abroad is never complete without a lunch treat at Domus.

Ah, the fun we’ve had: Among Rex ever the star with his Hukabalahap songs and reciting – with gusto -- his favorite poem “Laura.” 

It is not all “satisfying” grace at Domus, there is a bit of sanctifying for us too. A number of us have rediscovered our way to the Sacrament of Reconciliation there. Boiti Portugal and Nestor “Max” Alvarado have since made Among Tiks their confessor. Boss Tayag is still convincing Fr. Carlos to receive his confession by SMS though.

 Alas, with Fr. Mar Ramos having me as the last penitent to confess to him before his death in December last year, I have yet to find a new confessor brave enough to risk hearing my sins and absolving me from them.

On his wake at the small chapel of Domus, it was not just me that noticed the benign smile on Fr. Mar’s face. All’s well, thank you Father.

Two of our Domus fathers had lain in state in that same chapel since we started our ministry – Fr. Jing Jingco and Fr. Andy Serrano.      

On their wake, the forgetfulness – ingratitude would be a very strong word, as priestly service expects no reward but in heaven – of the parishioners they served was most manifestly painful.

But for what remains of their immediate families, brother priests, the very few who remembered, and us ex-seminarians, no other else came to their wakes and internments.  

2018 has been declared as the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons and we are urged to pray for our pastors, to be with them in their lifelong ministry.

Let this be a good time as any to remember and renew our bonds with our retired fathers as well.

“You just can’t imagine how much happiness you give us whenever you come here.” So, Among Tiks always says before he imparts his blessings to us as we end our day at the Domus.

You just can’t imagine the bliss in our hearts at this parting. With the anticipation of yet another joyous returning.