The Eucharistic Celebration for the ordination of a new priest and deacon from the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists), Vicariate of Asia–Oceania, was held with solemnity and great joy at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, Philippines, on Monday, January 26, 2026. It was a profound moment of grace as Fr. Ariel Balde Vidanes, AA, was ordained to the priesthood and Deacon Joseph Nguyen Quoc Son, AA, received the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a deacon. The celebration was presided over by His Excellency Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen–Dagupan. Throughout the liturgy, the Mass unfolded with solemn rites, accompanied by fervent prayers, hymns of praise, and an atmosphere filled with thanksgiving.
This event was not merely a beautiful sequence of liturgical rituals, but a deep encounter with the mystery of divine vocation. In his homily, Archbishop Socrates posed a question that pierced the heart:
“Why did God choose you? God chose you because no one else can choose you anymore. Why did God truly call you? Because you are the best, or because you are broken enough?”
That question resonated not only with those being ordained but also with all the faithful present, challenging our understanding of worthiness and call.
The Archbishop further emphasized that God does not choose based on human perfection, but rather seeks a heart willing to be open. In the same way, Fr. Ariel and Deacon Joseph—with all their strengths and limitations—bring an irreplaceable color to the service of the Church. Indeed, God does not always call those considered the “best” by worldly standards, but rather those who are fragile enough to depend entirely on His grace. This fragility is not an obstacle to ministry; it is precisely through such weakness that grace works most visibly. This event also serves as a poignant reminder of the spirituality of our founder, Venerable Emmanuel d’Alzon: “We choose as our prime objective to work, out of love for Jesus Christ, for the coming of the Reign of God in ourselves and around us.”
As they begin this new chapter, may Fr. Ariel and Deacon Joseph always remember that the grace of ordination is not a crown of perfection, but a source of strength in weakness. May they find courage in vulnerability, perseverance in struggle, and joy in simple service. Furthermore, may all of us, in our respective vocations, dare to say “yes” to God—not because we are perfect, but because we trust that His grace is truly sufficient.
Congratulations to Fr. Ariel and Deacon Joseph. May your ministry be a sign of hope for the Church and the world, and a living testimony that God truly works through humble and open hearts. Thy Kingdom Come.