San Fernando, Camarines Sur, July 19, 2025. On a day threatened by unrelenting rain due to Typhoon Crising, parishioners braved the threat and congregated at the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, this municipality at 8:00 am, for the ordination to the diaconate of one of its sons, Sem. Rene Ramos, of Pamukid, San Fernando (Camarines Sur).
Sem. Rene entered St. Benedict Diocesan Seminary (San Fernando) as a propaedeutic student in 2015, thereafter he proceeded to the discipleship stage of priestly formation in 2016, and continued on to the configuration stage in 2020. After his theological studies, he was assigned as a formator of St. James the Greater Minor Seminary in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, as part of his formation and training in the last stage of vocation synthesis prior to ordination to the priesthood. Sem. Rene belonged to an original class of twelve (12) propaedeutic seminarians and is blessed to have been the lone survivor who persevered until ordination.
Sem. Rene is the fourth in a family of five siblings. His parents are not originally from San Fernando. His mother, Margie Simata, comes from Siruma, Camarines Sur and his father, Rence Ramos, hails from Sta, Cruz, Occidental Mindoro. One wonders how they got to dwell in San Fernando given such provenance. Rence, accompanying his aunt, went to Lagonoy, Camarines Sur, in search of work. It was, however, in Naga City where he met Margie. The two eventually got married and settled in Pamukid after they obtained a lot at Imperial Homes in Pamukid with the help of Margie’s sister. As a small boy growing up in Pamukid, Sem. Rene frequented the parish church of San Fernando and served the parish as an altar boy. It was here where Sem. Rene felt he was called to the priesthood.
For his ordination, the Bishop, J. Rojas, gave him the prerogative to prepare the liturgy. Accordingly, he chose Num 18: 1-7, Acts 6: 1-7 , and Jn 15: 9-17 as readings. In his homily, the bishop centered his reflections on the words of Jesus, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” The bishop surmised that this was how Sem. Rene exactly felt as he offered himself to the Lord in the ministry of the diaconate. He stressed the fact that if ever Sem. Rene was there amid the congregation, it was not because he was going to be accorded honor and praise, but rather to receive a gift. He was there not to assert his freedom, but to surrender himself to the will of God. Later in his reflection, the bishop reminded Sem. Rene, that though he might have doubted his worthiness to receive this gift and though he might have had second thoughts about whether he was capable of carrying out the mission because of his unworthiness, the Lord will never forsake him. With that assurance, he can make it–all because the Lord chose him.
As the cantor invoked the intercession of the saints during the singing of the litany, Sem. Rene prostrated himself before the altar, and the congregation was hushed in profound prayer. The silence that ensued after the litany during the laying on of hands only heightened the awe felt both by the ordinand and the congregation at so marvelous a mystery. From that solemn moment, Deacon Rene emerged tearful as he sobbed while vesting and given the kiss of peace. He must have felt how overwhelming it must be to be bestowed such an undeserved but wonderful gift.
