By Evelyn Jock
SANDAKAN — Deacon Stephen Esguerra was raised to the order of the priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral on May 13.
This ordination was supposed to have been held in the Holy Trinity Church of Tawau, the hometown of Deacon Stephen Esguerra, on May 25, 2020. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, his ordination was postponed. It was later decided that the ordination should take place at St Mary’s Cathedral on May 13. Fr Stephen is the fifth priest ordained by Bishop Julius D. Gitom in his 14 years.
Bishop Julius presided at the Ordination Mass with all the priests from the Diocese of Sandakan concelebrating. The Mass was also live streamed.
Bishop Julius in his homily reminded the candidate to always remember that he was taken from among men and appointed on their behalf for things pertaining to God. He also advised him to carry out the ministry of Christ the Priest with constant joy and genuine love, attending not to his own concerns and needs but to those of Jesus Christ.
He advised all the young men and women who are considering religious life to search for that inner voice in their prayers and ponder that voice in their hearts. And should they have doubts in their vocation, to seek the intercession of Mother Mary. If these youths felt troubled, he encouraged them to seek God and put their trust in him, for as Scripture says in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled, but put your trust in God”
Fr Stephen described his ordination as a gift from God. He thanked God for all the blessings that He has given him throughout his journey to priesthood. He also expressed his gratitude to the people who have been a part of his formation, assisting him in one way or another. By God’s grace his mother and family were able to attend the Holy Mass of his Ordination and be present to witness his becoming as a priest.
Congratulations to Fr Stephen. His long journey from being a layperson, seminarian, deacon and finally being ordained as a priest has concluded, but a new one with Christ in his ministry as a priest has just started.
