Cardinal Vidal marks 60th year as priest

His joints ache and his legs are no longer as steady.

Yet 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,” he added.

Vidal, the country’s most senior cardinal, celebrated his 60th year as priest yesterday.

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” was held at the Pavilion.

In his homily during yesterday’s Mass, Vidal said he’s grateful to the Lord for the gift of priesthood.

Vidal encouraged all priests to serve God’s people no matter what it takes.

“As priests, we are called to minister to the flock. Through the ministry of priests, God consoles His people, walks among them, rejoices with them, suffers with and for them,” he said.

“My brother priests, I beg of you, do not offer the people of God to the altar of your egos, your likes and dislikes, your moods and interests. We are to be the sacrifice, not the people of God,” he added.

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 came to Cebu in 1981 when he was coadjutor archbishop.

He 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.