Bishop: ‘St. Joseph, a model for priests’

St. Joseph’s virtues make him a model for both lay and priests alike.

This is what Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said at the Immaculate Conception Parish – Cathedral and Minor Basilica in Malolos City in celebration of his 18th episcopal anniversary as well as the ordination of three priests in the diocese.

“I like to promote St. Joseph not just because he is my namesake, but because it is his example that I believe priests should really follow. St. Joseph has many virtues. He was chaste with his acceptance of caring for Mary and Jesus. He was simple with his acknowledgement of his role to be a father to his family,” he said.

According to the prelate, he has made it a personal tradition as Bishop of Malolos to ordain priests near or on the very day of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, just as he was ordained bishop on March 20, 2000.

Oliveros pointed out how St. Joseph has been an “enduring example” of the virtues needed by a priest.

“Most importantly he was obedient for he accepted not what he wanted, but what God wanted in his life,” he added.

Oliveros ordained Reverends Niño Jomel Halili De Leon, Joseph Franz Torres Dizon, and Rex Andrian Espera Polintan as priests of the Diocese of Malolos in a concelebrated Mass at 9:00 a.m. with Kalookan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., Iba Bishop-Elect Bartolome G. Santos, Jr. and the Malolos clergy present.