March 24, 2010. Solemn Investiture of Sem. Ludy Baymundo Baldonado (Jesus, The Good Shepherd Parish, Cannery Site, Polomolok), Sem. Jesreel Irish Obenieta Calopez (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, General Santos City) and Sem. Ray Ken Macalisang Garzon (Jesus, The Good Shepherd Parish, Cannery Site, Polomolok) at the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most. Rev. Dinualdo D. Gutierrez, D.D. at the Small Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary. Many parishioners from the parishes of Jesus, The Good Shepherd and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage came. Ms. Consuelo Sarcon, the Lay Vocation Promoters' President representing the LVPs of the parishes of the diocese also attended.
Seven priests concelebrated with the bishop: Fr. Elpidio Marintes Jr., Fr. Eugenio Porras Jr., Fr. Ricardo Pajarillo Jr., Fr. Rey Joloro, Fr. Ramil Nerio, Fr.Ariel Destora, Fr. George Carin and Fr. Michelle Tacogue. Fr. Herminio Hongayo Jr. was present during merienda siena.
Seven priests concelebrated with the bishop: Fr. Elpidio Marintes Jr., Fr. Eugenio Porras Jr., Fr. Ricardo Pajarillo Jr., Fr. Rey Joloro, Fr. Ramil Nerio, Fr.Ariel Destora, Fr. George Carin and Fr. Michelle Tacogue. Fr. Herminio Hongayo Jr. was present during merienda siena.
The Investiture Rite begins after the bishop gives his homily.
At the beginning of the investiture Rite the Rector calls each candidate by his name and as the candidate rises, he answers HERE I AM.
After everyone has been called, the candidates ascend the sanctuary, genuflect, and stand before the Bishop.
SCRUTINY. The bishop asked the candidates the following questions:
Bishop: MY SONS WHAT DO YOU SEEK?
Candidates: We have sought but one thing of the Lord: the grace to consecrate all the days of our lives to his Holy service.
Bishop: IN TAKING THE HABITS OF PRIESTHOOD, DO YOU PROMISE TO INTENSIFY YOUR PRAYER LIFE, EMBRACE SIMPLE LIFESTYLE,LIVE A PURE AND CHASTE LIFE AND STRIVE DAILY TO BECOME PERFECT IMITATORS OF JESUS CHRIST AND MARY, THEREBY BUILDING UP CHRIST’S BODY WHICH IS THE CHURCH?
Candidates: Yes, your Excellency.
Bishop: DO YOU WISH MY SONS, TO SERVE THE DIOCESE OF MARBEL SOLELY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND HIS PEOPLE?
Candidates: Yes, your Excellency, with the help of God and the prayers of the members of the church.
Bishop: MAY GOD BLESS YOUR UNDERTAKINGS AND SUSTAIN YOU WITH HIS LOVE AND MERCY.
Candidates: Amen.
The bishop then blesses the candidates with their cassocks and surplices.
He says the prayer: "O Lord, bless + these garments. May your sons wear them with dignity. Grant we pray, as they wear them and by being fervently committed to your love, may they glory in serving the church and show themselves in the world as clear signs of the heavenly realities. Through Christ our Lord, in unity with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever."
The candle bearer prepares the lighted candles for the bishop to give to each candidate. The candidates approach to receive the lighted candles. Seated, with miter on, the bishop gives each candidate a lighted candle, saying:
Bishop: RECEIVE THE LIGHTED CANDLE WHICH IS THE SYMBOL OF CHRIST, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. THAT YOU MAY ALSO BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS.
Candidate: Amen.
The candidates proceed to the sacristy and put on their cassocks. The candidates are met by their parents. Flanked on both sides by their parents, the candidates bearing the folded surplices on their arm march to the altar.
Bishop: receive and put on this surplice. May the lord make you a new man who was created by God in justice and peace. May this symbolize your parting from the old ways to face with resoluteness the formation more properly directed towards the priesthood.
Candidate: Amen.
The candidate and his parents kiss the bishop’s hand.
Liturgy of the Eucharist follows.
After the communion, the newly invested seminarians go to the Sanctuary to ask the bishop’s blessings.
After the “bishop’s blessings,” the invested seminarians genuflect and return to their seats. The bishop prays the post- communion prayer, and gives the final blessing.
