Archbp. Villegas to new priests: "Be priests who have the mind of Christ"

Be priests who have the mind of Christ,  urged   Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, to the five newly-ordained Rogationist priests in Parañaque City, Philippines.

The ordination ceremony was combined with the 40th anniversary of the Rogationist missionary presence in the Philippines and was held at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Multinational Village, Parañaque City.

In reference to St. Teresa of Avila’s prayer, the Archbishop  vigorously pressed on the five new priests to keep on studying and to never give up on it. He likewise lamented priests who are pious but who lack knowledge which is supposed to enrich their priestly ministry.

 “You have to continue studying even after your philosophy and theology, so that you may have the mind of Christ,” stressed the prelate.

He summed up his homily into three points, inviting the newly-ordained priests to have clarity of mind, purity of heart, and generosity in giving.

Archbishop Villegas equally criticized priests who loved money. To fall in love with women is bad, but to love money is worse he said. 

Lightening up the mood, the bishop related how priests would look handsome in the eyes of Jesus. “Let Jesus be the one to tell you that you are handsome, not you telling it to yourself he said. 

The Sacred Ordination Rites on that day was chosen to be the highlight in the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Rogationist Missionary Presence in the Philippines.(Source: CBCP)