The ordinations took place at the newly renovated Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City. The Eucharistic celebration began at 8 o’clock in the morning attended by the families, relatives, benefactors and friends of the ordinandi.The Deacon
Rev. Dexter Z. Carino was ordained as a deacon to become a servant in
the Church. He is the closest co-worker of the bishop and the priests in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. He has been chosen and strengthened by the grace of God, Rev. Dexter also serves the church, firsts by assisting in the celebration of the Eucharist, and secondly, by the proclamation of the Gospel, and thirdly, through works of charity for Christ’s faithful in accordance with the dignity accorded to his office. As a deacon, Rev. Dexter is expected to be compassionate and loving to all especially to those in need.The Sacred Order of the Priesthood
The ordination to the priesthood is one of the most solemn occasions in the Church. From among God’s people, men are especially called by
Christ to live in His name and preach the Gospel. Rev. Father Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano are called also to perpetuate the fruits of His eternal Sacrifice on the Cross through the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.We dare NOT imagine
In his homily, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, challenged the people by asking them if they could imagine their life without the priests.
“We dare not imagine”, he said," what your life will be without the priests. You need the priests because the priests bring Jesus to you.” He then challenged the priests if they can imagine their priesthood without the people. “You become priests for the people”, he said. “We dare not imagine,” he furthered.
“Your primary duty as priests is to pray, to intercede for the people. Your primary duty is to be with Christ. Can you imagine a priest who is separated from Christ?” he asked.
The Rite of the Ordination
The Rite of Ordination began after the Gospel with the Calling of the Candidates, when the ordinandi were called forward to stand before the altar.
Archbishop Villegas then “elects” or chooses the candidates for orders. The people present in the assembly gave their consent by applauding. The Archbishop said: “We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood in the presbyteral order.” This signifies that the vocation to the priesthood is discerned within the Church. Thus, the Archbishop gives his consent and the people also give their assent for the ordination to take place.
The Archbishop asked a series of questions to determine if the candidates are willing to discharge faithfully the office of priesthood, to celebrate the sacred mysteries of Christ, to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, and to consecrate their lives to God in union with Christ the High Priest. To all these questions the ordinandi responded: I am.
The highpoint of the ordination rite was the laying on of hand of the Archbishop on the ordinandi. The Archbishop laid his hands on each of the candidates’ heads in silence. All the priests present did the same. This action is an ancient biblical gesture beseeching God to empower the candidates by the Holy Spirit and is a sign of the authority that has passed through the ages from the Apostles.
Kiss of Peace
In a touching moment, the Archbishop greeted each of the newly-
ordained with a sign of peace. Bishop Rene P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, also gave the Kiss of Peace to the newly ordained Deacon and Priests. All the priests present also gave the traditional Kiss of Peace the newly-ordained.New Assignments
Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr., the Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan read the appointment letters of the newly ordained. Rev. Dexter Z. Carino is assigned as a Resident Deacon of the Epiphany of our Lord Parish in Lingayen-Dagupan. Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron is assigned as the Prefect of Discipline at the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary, Binmaley, Pangasinan. Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano is assigned as the Prefect of Discipline at the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.
Rev. Dexter is from Dagupan City while Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano are from Lingayen and Malasiqui, Pangasinan, respectively.
All of them studied at the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary for their High School studies. They took their college education at the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City. They finished their theological studies at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan City.
Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City and Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, Parish Priest of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, assisting Rev. Dexter in putting the Deacon’s stole and the Dalmatic on him. Rev. Dexter spent his pastoral exposure in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, prior to his ordination to the Diaconate.
The Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
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| The Ordinandi: (foregrount) Rev. Dexter Z. Carino; (from left) Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano |
