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FOUR OSJ BROTHERS Ordained

T O THE DIA C ONA TE

Bro. Amiel Joseph B. Sevilla, OSJ

N JUNE 24, 2020, SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, four OSJ brothers were
ordained to the diaconate at L’Annunziata Parish, Victoria Homes, Muntinlupa City through the laying
Oon of hands of Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Imus. The four newly
ordained deacons are Rev. Aren Bejasa, OSJ, Rev. Marvin Gomez, OSJ, Rev. Cyrus Gonzales, OSJ, and Rev. Roy
Matibag, OSJ.

Even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the blessing of God continued to flow to the Oblates of
Saint Joseph family and to the Church through the diaconal ordination of these four brothers. The celebration
began at 9:00 in the morning. Due to the current health crisis, the ordination to the diaconate was carried
out with strict compliance to the guidelines of the government on mass gatherings. Only thirty persons were
allowed to join the celebration which included the staff in charge of the live-streaming, parents of the deacons,
the seminarians who performed the different duties of servers, choir, and lectors, the concelebrating priests
which included Fr. Nelson Osorio, OSJ, the parish priest of L’Annunziata Parish, Fr. Jayson Endaya, OSJ, the
provincial superior, and his council, and the presiding bishop, Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D. who was
assisted by Rev. Jicky Corpuz, OATH, the deacon-classmate of the four brothers. Physical distancing and proper
disinfection were observed during the celebration and the reception.

In his homily, the good bishop, reminded the candidates about the three truths for them to be faithful to their
service to God drawn out from the readings of the day. Firstly, the newly ordained deacons are called and
chosen to serve taken from the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 49:1-6. Secondly, humility is
the way to genuine holiness taken from the second reading from the Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26. Thirdly,
being a servant is a gift that one should be thankful for taken from the Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66, 80.

Before the celebration ended, newly ordained deacon, Rev. Aren Bejasa, OSJ, in behalf of his classmates and
the vicar provincial, Fr. Edwin Tolentino, OSJ, in behalf of the Oblates of Saint Joseph-Philippine Province,
delivered their respective message of thanksgiving to those who made this event possible. Afterwards, Fr. Willie
Alibagon, OSJ, provincial secretary, announced the respective assignments of the newly ordained deacons.