Palma turns 63

CEBU, Philippines - On his 63rd birthday yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma only had thanks and praises to God for the big religious events that happened in his archdiocese where he is “happily stranded.”

For his birthday wish, Palma wanted another event to be held in Cebu, the International Eucharistic Congress on 2016 wherein about 15,000 people including Pope Francis himself are expected to join.

“When I woke up this morning, I thank the Lord nakaabot pa ko og 63. I also thank the lord that he placed me in Cebu. I often joke with my friends that I'm happily stranded in Cebu, kay naglaom sila na mabalik ko sa Iloilo, but God put me in Cebu. I'm very grateful and very happy,” Palma narrated.

On April, Palma said he will be heading for Vatican City to meet Pope Francis as he wishes that the IEC will finally be held in Cebu.

“Tungod wa bitaw dako na lugar na maka-hold at least 15,000 people basin lang posible mangita sila og bigger place, we can't produce that now. Unta even with our limitation, madayon dinhi. Unta the Pope could come too,” said Palma yesterday. (We don't have a huge place to accommodate the number of participants so they might want another venue. But I hope it pushes through in Cebu. I hope the Pope could come too.)

The birthday celebrant officiated yesterday's special Mass at the Archdiocesan Palace intended for Pope Francis, for him, and for other priests named after Saint Joseph.

Palma is also looking forward to the 5th centenary of the first baptism, which will again place Cebu in the center.

“All of these are gifts, truly worth praising God. We in Cebu, I say 'we' with emphasis because many times, even with my family or Ilonggo friends, I say bisan ug gipanganak Ilonggo, ang akong kasingkasing, Cebuano,” said Palma in his homily.

Also, the renunciation of Pope Benedict XVI, Palma said, was at first beyond understanding but gave them another Pope that will bring renewal to the Church.

“In the spirit of joyful thanksgiving and peaceful ministry, love for creation, the many virtues associated with Francis, all of these are part the wonderful events that happened in the Church,” Palma stated.

But along with the privileges received, Palma said the Catholic faithful are also tasked to share the blessings.

“I pray to God for a long life but I know, even the Pope, today we will get Pope Benedict's picture and tomorrow we will put Pope Francis' picture. This is life. We are here for today. While we live, may we live a life that gives glory to God and may our journey be indeed towards union with God, with the saints, hereafter,” the archbishop said, ending his 12-minute homily.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama attended the 11 a.m. thanksgiving mass at the Archbishop's Residence.

Apart from Cebuano Catholics who joined Palma in his birthday, family and friends from Iloilo also visited.

“Naabot man ang mga tawo from where he came from. Then I told them: thank you for giving the Archbishop to Cebu. He is a very good gift to the Cebuano,” Rama said.

According to Rama, one of the Ilonggo visitors, a certain Mrs. Villanueva, replied with “Yes, a lost to us but a gain for Cebu.”

He added that the church and the city both have something in common that gave him goosebumps.

“Manlimbawt imong balahibo kay you know that Pope is 76, Cebu City is 76,” the mayor said. -  (FREEMAN)