Called to serve God: Bishop Apigo ordains first deacon

MATI CITY — In a warm December afternoon, when many are still having their afternoon sleep, young seminarian Donie Emuy gladly entertained his guests inside the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral here, with some of them coming from Davao City who traveled for hours just to reach this city and witness the first deacon to be ordained by their new bishop.

Bishop Abel Apigo is barely eight months since he was installed as the second Bishop of Mati. a first-timer himself, he said that he had to join the practice the night before the ordination.

“Nakalampos ra gyud,” Bishop Apigo said after the ordination rites held December 12, feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

During the ordination and Holy Mass, Bishop Apigo said that the new deacon is called to serve God–as minister of the Word, the altar and of charity.

“Higugmaa ang Pulong sa Dios nga imong basahon ug puy-an sa imong kinabuhi,” the bishop said.

“Ang katawhan sa Dios gigutom sa Pulong sa Dios,” Bishop Apigo added.

As minister of the altar, Rev. Donie Emuy will assist the bishop and priests in administering the sacraments.

Bishop Apigo said that being a minister of charity, Rev. Emuy should always be with the people and serve them.

Along with that, he also reminded the new deacon to be his collaborator and not a source of problem.

As servant of God, Bishop Apigo also said that the deacon should live a chaste life since he has made a vow.

“Celibacy is a gift from God,” he added.

For his part, Rev. Emuy said that his vocation is something that he should be thankful for.

He is glad that Bishop Apigo, his former rector at St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao is the one who ordained him and is now a father not only to him but to the local church of Mati.

Bishop Apigo enjoined the faithful to pray for the priests and for the new deacon saying, “nagkinahanglan sila sa atong ampo.”