Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homily on the Investiture of Two Clerics, 31 May 2025, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis de Sales Chapel, DBFC Lawaan

Have you ever noticed the bas relief of the Last Supper hanging on the wall inside the DBFC Refectory down below? It is actually entitled “Hapag ng Pag-asa” a modern depiction of the Last Supper. In that unique artwork, those sitting at table with Jesus were not his Apostles but rather street children. The artist who made it was Joey Velasco, a former Salesian Cleric, batchmate of Fr Jhun, Fr Joel and Fr Brodie. On the other wall opposite the “Hapag ng Pag-asa” hangs another bas relief also made by the same artist. It depicts the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish to the multitude. Both of these art works were acquired by Fr Fidel Orendain during the school year 2007-2008, for in that same year, the renovation of the refectory was done and completed.

I guess there is really no need to explain why the “Hapag ng Pag-asa” should be inside a dining hall. But why should the Miraculous Multiplication to the Multitude also be there? In my conversation with Fr Fidel he told me that the bas relief was meant not only to symbolize the daily multiplication of food being served to the aspirants, prenovices and novices but also to signify the beginning of the multiplication of vocations in DBMS/DBFC. And so this beautiful bas relief continues to hang there until today.

However, almost 18 years have already passed, and the food had indeed multiplied but the dream miracle has not yet become a reality. The number of vocations has remained almost constantly the same every year and the most shocking reality of all is that this year (while the consultation was being conducted in Cebu, we realized that) we SDBs in FIS are practically down to 75. And now we ask ourselves how come? Why have we not multiplied our vocations?

These past few days I have been coming to this beautiful chapel to pray and I had been asking the Lord why the dream multiplication has never taken place. Then the Lord seemed to have responded to me by making me realize the presence not only of the significant adult in the story of long ago but also the presence of the significant child. Both played a crucial role in the miracle story.

Could it be that the lack of vocations today is caused by the absence of generous children and youth in our settings? That we Salesians cannot find any significant kid who is willing to offer his five loaves and two fish to the Lord? Or could it be that we Salesians have failed to become like the apostle Andrew, the significant adult, who will trigger the miraculous multiplication of vocations in every setting. I believe that until now many of us have not been so diligent like Andrew in looking around and spotting the right kids. Until now many of us still lack the sensitivity to recognize the significant children who can make the dream miracle a reality sooner or later.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Visitation to her elderly cousin Elizabeth. There is so much we can learn not only from significant kids but also from significant women.

We know that prior to the visitation, Mary, known as the Virgin of Nazareth, had offered her total and generous YES to the Lord after humbly recognizing his wonderful plan as revealed by the angel. And immediately after that in silence she went in haste to see her elderly cousin Elizabeth who, like her, had been blessed with a child after long years of waiting. Her unexpected visit triggered an explosion of pure joy. In fact as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the baby in her womb leapt for joy.

These past six days of our retreat God has visited us in the person of Fr Joel Camaya. While listening to his Spirit-filled talks, not only did our hearts keep burning within us, even the child within us kept leaping for joy. Because his words were pregnant with meaning, we were able to recognize Jesus speaking to us. And so these days Fr Dong has become pregnant again… and with him we too have become pregnant with LOVE. And precisely today we are ready to give birth to a new ME, a new US, passionate for Christ and dedicated to the young.

In a little while two of our confreres are going to put on the cassock to signify their formal entrance into the clerical state, Bro Francis and Bro Perry. With the help of God’s Spirit of Discernment they have been able to recognize their real vocation as Salesians – not only to become priests who will absolve sins and consecrate the bread and wine for the young but also to become shepherds, passionate for Christ ready to lay down their life for the sheep. As we witness how they would strip off the old clothing and put on the cassock, we all are reminded to renew today the total self-offering we have already made years ago. Today as we gather the gains of this annual spiritual retreat we shall also make our concrete resolutions. In this way we shall indeed be stripping off our old habits and we shall indeed be putting on the new man who is Jesus Christ, Risen from the dead.

May our celebration today make us significant adults to significant children and youth able to make the dream miracle a reality. And may our Blessed Mother, who became the significant woman in the wedding at Cana, accompany us always and obtain for us the daily miracles we need so that FIS Province may begin flourishing with vocations once again. GiGsss!

P.S. In the meantime we thank you for supporting us with your prayers and generous donations in cash & in kind. This coming year 2025-26 we do hope that you will continue to partner with us in making this dream miracle come true. May God bless your generous heart. For donations, you may click this link – https://www.donbosco.ph/donate/