Delta, Hidilyn and Padz

From the very beginning of this pandemic, scientists and medical experts already informed the world that viruses mutate. It does not take a genius to know that. It is in the nature of viruses to mutate into either less virulent forms or into deadlier strains. Today, we have the Delta variant that hangs over us like the proverbial Sword of Damocles threatening to create greater havoc and more deaths in an already confused, beleaguered and devastated world. And we are scared. Very scared.

Yet, surprisingly, there are still those who refuse to be vaccinated, those who subscribe to ludicrous conspiracy theories that Covid-19 is simply a medical manipulation of some powerful people and institutions around the world who wish to define a new global order or, worse, to make millions and billions of money in the vaccine industry. Surprisingly, the clergy and religious have not been spared. Among their ranks are those who by their very sacred vocation are called to preach, to teach, to educate, and to enlighten are the very same priests, religious sisters, pastors, imams, and ministers who suddenly have become Covid “experts” and espouse anti-vaccination positions largely based on hearsay, rumors and “personal research” whatever that means.

World economies are falling to a crunch. Many have died. Many are dying. Many will die. The rich are getting poor and the poor are getting poorer. The education of our young and our youth is on the brink of a catastrophic collapse. The mental health of thousand, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, is being stretched to limits never ever known in human history. Spiritual health is compromised too. There is grief. There is loneliness. There is anger. There is hopelessness.

It is time to wake up. Get vaccinated! Together, we can save this only world we have.

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The news of Hidilyn Diaz capturing the very first Gold Medal for the Philippines in its 97 years of joining the Olympics is even made more meaningful for Catholics. Wearing the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady around her neck, our proud Olympian gold medalist attributes her historic win to her faith in God and the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

What is not mentioned in the news article, however, are the many sacrifices that Hidilyn willingly went through in her journey for the elusive Olympic gold in a sport that is largely perceived and stereotyped to be a “man’s event”. While the sports world lapped up news on Hidilyn’s training developments and tournament successes both in the country and around the world, the spunky lady-athlete quietly enrolled herself in a Manila university to continue her education; and, to support herself financially, she put up a small health product business at the same time.

DCH columnist Raynar Echano shares with us a beautiful if not funny reflection on Hidilyn’s victory. A real eye-opener, Echano’s short piece invites us to pause for a bit and appreciate the Hidilyn experience in the context of our faith journey.

The Davao Catholic Herald joins all Filipinos in celebrating Hidilyn’s victory and our shared pride and joy.

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All Catholics go through life with at least two fathers: their biological father and their father-priest. Of the two fathers the latter is more ubiquitous, almost omni-present. We can only have one biological father. Once he dies there can never be a replacement. Our father-priest can die too but there will always be another father-priest to replace him to baptize us, to officiate our Confirmatory rites, to bind us together in Matrimony and, lastly, to pray for our repose when we reach the finish line. Our father-priests are there from life until death.

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests. It is Priest’s Day.

The Davao Catholic Herald joins the Church in paying tribute to our Father-Priests.

Sa atong mga pinalanggang Padz… Happy Priest’s Day!!!