I prayed to lead a million, I was given four

THE 62-year-old prelate of the country’s second biggest Roman Catholic ministry said that he has everything to thank for in his life and vocation.

“When I was young, I wished to become a priest and lead one million people. God gave me four million when I was appointed archbishop of Cebu,” said Archbishop Jose S. Palma

“I thank God for the gift of life, the vocation of priesthood and the privilege to be assigned in the Queen City of the South (Cebu),” he told parishioners who offered manianita to the 62-year-old prelate, early morning Monday.

He then officiated a Pontifical Mass at the St. Joseph’s chapel inside the Archbishop’s house. Concelebrating with the birthday celebrant was Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Archbishop Palma’s birthday also marked the solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church.

At 62, the prelate of Cebu said he is thankful for his health. “I can travel. I do take some maintenance medication  but no big concerns,” he said.

Archbishop Palma also reaffirmed his commitment and dedication to his vocation saying that if he would be given the chance to change the direction of his life, he would decline it, because he is contented of what he is now, and had achieved even greater than what was he prayed to God.

He reminisced that the time he was told to be the Archbishop of Cebu in 2010 to replace the retiring Cardinal Vidal, he asked the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI “why me?” Only to later realize that just, like St. Joseph, he was sent to Cebu to take care of the Sto. Nino and Mother Mary, and the church in it.

“With your songs, you were telling me, welcome archbishop, and that you are one with me. Thanks,” he said.

“Your presence today confirms that in the growth of the church, it is not only the work of the bishop, but clearly nga trabaho nato tanan, with the guidance of an archbishop,” he added.

And as an invitation and challenge to the lay, he asked the people to be really part of the growth of the Church.

The birthday celebrant, who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said that he keeps on praying that the believers of God would increase because still are many “bystanders.”

He also mentioned that this year (2012) is a blessing for the Cebu, and the peak of it would be on Oct. 21, during the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod. He said it also shows a very clear direction for the church of Cebu, “is and will be the involvement of the lay people.”

Archbishop Palma was installed as the fourth Archbishop of of the Most Holy Name Jesus on Jan. 13, 2011. /Candeze R. Mongaya, Adol Vincent Mayol, Reporters and  Fe Marie D. Dumaboc, Correspondent.