CEBU CITY: August 28, 2014
–
The
Salesians of Don Bosco - South
Province (FIS) has been blessed
with the gift of a new priest!
After obtaining his Bachelor of
Theology degree from the Studium
Theologicum Salesianum,
Jerusalem Campus of the Salesian
Pontifical University, Fr.
Rooney John G. Undar, SDB was
ordained to the presbyteral
order on August 28, 2014 by his
Excellency Bishop Patricio A.
Buzon, Bishop of Kabangkalan,
Negros Occidental. His family,
relatives, friends and the
representatives of the Salesian
Family gathered at the
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady
of Lourdes to witness this
memorable event as part of the
year-long preparation to
celebrate the 200th birth of St.
John Bosco.
In his homily, Bishop Buzon
reminded his parents quoting Don
Bosco’s words that “the greatest
gift God can give to a family is
a son priest.” But at the same
time he thanked them by also
quoting St. John XXIII “the
greatest gift a family can give
to God is a son priest.”
Reflecting on the 2nd Reading (2
Cor 12:1-10), he commented on
St. Paul’s experience of having
a “thorn in the flesh” to keep
him from being proud. Though he
could have boasted of many
spiritual experiences, Paul was
content with his weaknesses to
reveal the power of Christ.
Bishop Buzon connects this by
talking about Pope Francis’
vocation story. His experience
of his sinfulness and God’s
saving mercy in confession was
what inspired him to enter the
seminary. Here he challenged the
soon-to-be priest: “Rooney, you
will receive the greatest gift
in your life – the priesthood!
Receive it with humility.”
Moreover, drawing from the
Gospel example of Jesus (Mt
9:36ff), he pointed out that one
of the qualities of the priest
is compassion. He shared one of
his best definitions of the
priesthood from the saintly Cure
of Ars: “the priesthood is the
love of the heart of Jesus.”
Compassion is a virtue priests
need to have especially today.
Our culture has slowly succeeded
in making people insensitive and
callous. “Even for us Salesians,
our work for the poor sometimes
become mere lip-service.”
He ended by also challenging the
many young people who attended
the event. “Give time to God
because you have so much time
for yourself.” Since the world
has become so noisy, he invited
the youth to “give time for
silence to be able to listen to
God.”
Towards the end, Fr. Rooney took
to the podium to thank his
family, his confreres and those
who have helped him in his
journey to the priesthood. He
addressed the Salesians present
by re-echoing to them what Don
Pascual Chavez told him when he
asked about the secret of a
happy Salesian life. He was
told: love your confreres! “Do
not allow our cultural and
personal differences to hinder
us to love one another.” His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Romulo
Undar, were then presented by a
plaque of appreciation for their
generosity in offering their son
to Don Bosco.
