THOUGH his joints ache and his legs aren’t as steady as before, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal believes he still can serve the Lord in his own little ways.
“It is not easy to be 85. Every joint in my body creaks like rusty metal. Every movement feels like bone grinding upon bone. But who am I to complain? With years this long, every day is an extra gift,” he said.
“I thank the Lord that at 85, He still entrusts me with a double ministry: the ministry of prayer and sacrifice.” Vidal, the country’s most senior cardinal, yesterday celebrated his 60th year as priest.
At least 20 bishops and 70 priests attended the thanksgiving Mass which Vidal presided at the chapel of the IEC Pavilion.
Also present were Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto; Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma; and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo.
Last Wednesday evening, a concert entitled “Gaano Ka Namin Kamahal (How Much We Love You)” was held at the Pavilion.
In his homily during yesterday’s Mass, Vidal said he’s grateful to the Lord for the gift of the priesthood.
“Every priest participates in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, and every priest participates in the act of offering the pleasing sacrifice to God,” he said.
Vidal encouraged all priests to serve God’s people no matter what it takes.
Vidal was born on Feb. 6, 1931 in Mogpog, Marinduque, ordained as priest on March 17, 1956, a bishop on Nov. 30, 1971, and a cardinal on May 25, 1985.
He first came to Cebu in 1981 when he was coadjutor archbishop and was installed as Cebu archbishop on Sept. 18, 1982 after the death of Julio Cardinal Rosales.
Vidal retired in 2011 and was replaced by Archbishop Palma.