FIRST LOVE AFTER 16 YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Rev. Fr. Benjamin Deogracias M. Fajota was solemnly installed as the eighth parish priest of San Roque de Manila Parish in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila on December 1, 2022, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, on the occasion of his 64th birthday.
in his homily, Fr. Deoigracias emphasized the importance of spreading and preaching the word of God as the main responsibility of a priest in his community.
“Ang pangunahing tungkulin ng isang pari ay magpakain, magpakain ng salita ng Diyos,” Fr. Benjo said.
He also focused on his homily the essence of listening and responding to the Word of God as a crucial aspect being the cornerstone of our life.
“Ang itinatayo po natin ay hindi gusali, hindi tahanang imprastraktura; ang itinatayo natin ay ating mga buhay. Kailangan tumatalima ka, sumusunod ka, isinasabuhay mo ang Kaniyang mga salita. Hindi lahat ng tumatawag sa Panginoon ay makakapasok sa kaharian ng langit,” Fr. Benjo added.
In his message for the community of San Roque de Manila, Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula stressed that the installation of a new pastor is a concrete sign of God’s continuous love and care for His people.
“Ang pagtatalaga ng bagong pastol ng pamayanang ito ay tanda ng pagkalinga ng Diyos sa kaniyang Bayan. Ang bagong kura paroko ninyo ay paalala na mahal kayo ng Diyos, na tapat siya sa kaniyang pangako na pagkakalooban niya ang kawan ng mga pastol na hinubog sa kaniyang puso,” Cardinal Advincula said.
The Cardinal also entrusted Fr. Deogracias to the community of San Roque de Manila Parish being his first parish as a parish priest.
“Ipinagkakatiwala ko sa inyo si Fr. Benjo. Ito ang kaniyang unang parokya na paglilingkuran bilang kura paroko. Masasabi natin ito ang kaniyang magiging ‘first love’,” Cardinal Advincula added.
In response to the message, Fr. Deogracias thanked Cardinal Advincula for granting his request to be installed on the day of his birthday and that his life will always be a thanksgiving to God.
“Noong ako ay naging pari, nakita ko ang kahulugan ng “Deo Gracias” sa aking buhay. Ang aking buhay ay mananatiling pasasalamat sa Diyos,” Fr. Benjo said.
Last October 13, 2022, the Archdiocese of Manila has released the list of the new appointments of the clergy of Manila indicating Fr. Benjo’s assignment as the new parish priest of San Roque de Manila Parish in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Neil (Marjunn Torres/San Roque de Manila Parish | Photo by Genieve Genuino/Contributor/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)
