Grabe ang imong tawag

(An excerpt of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles D.D. in his Homily during the Priestly Ordination of Rev. Fr. Francis Flores, August 4, 2025 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish.)

Brothers and sisters, Rev. Francis, it is a bit of a surprise that we are here in the Cathedral, but it is the same date, time but different venue. At the outset, I am sure all of us, sigurado ako nga kaming tanan nag-ampo alang kanimo sa imong ordinasyon karon. Pun-an nato, nag-ampo kami nga mahibalik ang imong kusog, maayong panglawas kay naay gamay nga health issues. But I am sure nga kining event karon, ang liturgy sa ordination overarching grasya alang kanimo, alang kanatong tanan.

… A few minutes from now, another birth, another pagkatawo, a new priest will be given to the Church. I am sure also that our Patron saint sa mga pari, whose feast we are celebrating today, in fact as I was reading in the sacristy the proper prayers, nindot kaayo. And another set ang prayers sa ordination, unsay atong gamiton. And then I said, sige na lang, i-mention nako si St. John Marie Baptiste Vianney pero atong prayers gamiton ang prayers sa ordination.

I am sure Francis that this one extraordinary priest, John Vianney will pray for you in a wonderful way, special way. As Catholics we believe in the intercession of saints. So as I have said, aside from the Lord, we ask St. John Marie Vianney to intercede for Fr. Francis, sa iyang moment of ordination.

Francis, I had the blessing to prepare, to preside over this ordination. Tungod kay kagahapon, I made a quick long trip to Lupon, mga 3 hours going there, 3 hours going back, because nag quick duaw ko of a wife of a school mate nga namatay. I have the difficulty finding a schedule to be there. Mga 40 minues lang ko sa Lupon. But Francis daghang mga tawo didto, when they saw me, it was not only Muloy but they saw me as the priest in the Church. Kita nako sa ilang mga mata mura silag nakadaog og lotto. They were able to smile a bit kay nia si Muloy niabot sa haya. 40 minutes then back to Davao. So I said 6 hours on the road.

Francis, I said, ang atong gasa sa ordained ministry up to this day is always a blessing in mystery. That is what you will receive a few minutes from now. Kanang moingon ta mga igsoon nga gusto ka magpari standard man na. Yes, you would like to become a priest. Dili kaayo na maayo nga tubag pero dili daotan nga yes. Because yes gusto ko, Dili man na maoy pagkapari. Kanang yes nga gusto ko, yes motubag ko sa imong tawag. Better na. Dili na magadepende kung gusto ka ba o dili. Kanang yes truly nagkahulogan nga Oo mosugot ko sa imong tawag, O Ginoo. Yes Lord! Kon ato pang pun-an bisag dili ko gusto, gusto na nako Ginoo gyud kay grabe ang imong atraksiyon, grabe ang imong tawag.