Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales marks his 50th anniversary as a Roman Catholic priest on Sunday, with blessings from the Pope. In a message read by Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, at the Chrism Mass to mark the occasion on Holy Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI personally greeted Rosales.
“We pray to our generous Lord to reward you abundantly for your meritorious work,” the Pope said. “We likewise impart from our heart our apostolic blessing to you, our venerable brother, and extend it lovingly to your auxiliary bishops and your entire ecclesial community.”
The Pope lauded Rosales’ years of service as auxiliary bishop of Manila, coadjutor and bishop of Malaybalay (Bukidnon), and as archbishop of Lipa, and later of Manila.
“The community of Manila, to which you devote yourself now, enjoys the benefits of your pastoral zeal, so that it continues to flourish and spiritually progress,” he said.
He noted Rosales’ “superior skill” in giving assistance to both the commissions of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Roman Curia. Because of the prelate’s “excellent qualities” and “zeal,” he was recognized and then enrolled in the College of Cardinals in 2006, the Pope said.
Adams expressed gratitude to Rosales in unity with the Catholic flock of Manila that celebrated the Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
“We can say that the heart of Cardinal Rosales has loved God and you the faithful entrusted to him. His thoughts have been of God and you. His time has been for God and for you. We want to thank him today,” he said.
As an archbishop, Rosales has always had an open heart, giving himself entirely to his flock with enthusiasm and generosity, Adams said. As a priest for the last half century, Rosales has been a witness of the Lord and a servant of his Gospel of love, he added.
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