March 25, 2025. “What a gift from the Lord!” was how Superior General Fr. Domenico Soliman described the ordination to the Priesthood and the Diaconate of SSP members on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
In the morning Eucharistic celebration, Jose Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, ordained to the priesthood REV. ANTHONY JOHN JAVIER and to the diaconate CLERICS VINZ ANTHONY AURELLANO, RONEL DE LOS REYES, and RONEL SORIANO. The St. Paul Sanctuary in Makati saw full attendance from numerous concelebrating SSP priests and other members of the clergy, families of the ordinandi, members of the Pauline Family, friends and benefactors.
In his homily, Cardinal Advincula underscored the salient points of both ministries of service in the light of the Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy: the comforting presence of the Lord who is “Emmanuel” (Isaiah), obedience to God’s will in challenging moments (Letter to the Hebrews), and humility and thankfulness of the Mary (Gospel).
In his message to the new priest and deacons, Fr. Domenico Soliman shared what thankfulness entails: “From the depths of the heart arises the desire to thank God infinitely for this special grace and to place oneself totally and humbly at the service of Jesus and all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. To serve is love in work clothes; it is the very way of life of Jesus. Service is, first and foremost, a way of thinking—a mindset that must lead to concrete gestures of fraternity and sharing.”
Fr. Javier expressed his thanksgiving—also in the name of the three deacons—to those present who have supported and guided them during their long years of formation. Special thanks were given to Cardinal Advincula for presiding over the ordination and for his first visit to the SSP Community. Appreciation was also extended to the St. Paul Manila University Choir for their beautiful accompaniment and to the SSP Silang aspirants who faithfully served as altar servers. After the photo sessions with the ordinandi, the Community gathered at the Don Zanoni Gym for the reception.
Fr. Javier hails from Cavite. He is presently assigned as Graphics Manager and New Product Development Asst. Manager of ST PAULS Creative. Rev. Aurellano hails from Marikina City. He works as Liturgy Manager handling the Sambuhay missallettes and Pandasal, as well as Vocation Promoter. Rev. De los Reyes, from Calabanga, Camarines Sur, works at the Online Marketing and Provincial Information Office. Rev. Soriano, from San Fernando, La Union, is with the Team of Formation at St. Paul Seminary in Silang, Cavite.
