Sem Wilson goes forward and declares his intention before Archbishop John Wong
By Samuel Bernard / Agnes Chai
Mar 9 2021
PENAMPANG – Seminarian Wilson Francis publicly declared his intention to pursue Holy Orders and was officially accepted as a candidate for ordination, as a deacon and perhaps later as a priest, during the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders at the 6.30 am morning Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Wong at St Paul Dontozidon Mar 8.
During the ritual, Francis was asked if he was resolved to complete his preparation and be ready to be ordained for the ministry of the Church, and whether he was resolved to prepare himself in mind, heart, and spirit to give faithful and compassionate service to Christ and the Church, to which he answered in the affirmative.
The Archbishop then invited the faithful to ask God to bless Francis that he might persevere in his vocation, and be worthy to carry out the Church’s apostolic mission.
The ritual was kept at low key because of the ongoing SOP procedure for Mass attendance. Present to witness this meaningful celebration were the morning Mass-goers, the aspirants and the religious Sisters. At the altar to concelebrate the Mass with Archbishop Wong was Fr Isidore Gilbert.
Before dismissal, the Archbishop invited the faithful to witness the occasion of the diaconate ordination of Wilson Francis on Mar 9 at St Simon Catholic Church, Likas at 5.00 pm. Although attendance is by invitation within the SOP restrictions, all could attend the event via live streaming @ http://www.youtube.com/StSimonZealot/live. – Samuel Bernard/Agnes Chai
