Up Close and Priestly but never Personal

By: Brod. Romeo Delima

“Prepare to meet thy God”....

My two colleagues in the SC ministry informed me that I must go along with a priest in his sick call routine one day. I thought it was just another day of a priest visiting the sick, but i still brought my camera, and I asked permission to take photos.

We went to the residence of Mr. Quirino Estrada, I only know him as Noy Quirino, the sacristan mayor of our parish years ago. He had served the church for almost 47 years under 9 parish priests. He had been in the church attending chores when he had that fatal stroke 10 years ago that damaged his faculty including his speech. The priest was informed of his state through his eldest daughter Jesusa. He is cared by his family, but still needed medicine and personal things for his well being.

I took pictures of them as the liturgy of anointing of the sick progressed. I thought it was near over but sensed later that it was only the beginning of the healing process. Noy Quirino was not the only one who needed healing, Jesusa bore the burden for so many years of some sad events that happened to their father, and to them too, blaming it to a certain man of the cloth. As we ate, Jesusa told us the humiliation that her father experienced during his service, and she was much affected for she was the eldest. To be angry is human but to harbor hate for too long against somebody, is unhealthy to one’s soul. Though she did forgive, hate comes back when that name is mentioned. She is not healed yet but she is only human trying to be holy, and that takes time.

The priest asked for forgiveness on behalf of the one that brought sadness to the household..

I came along with the priest, and judged them hastily upon hearing her story. They should have done something and more to the care of his sad fate. He did a lengthy service to the priests and they should have some programs for this. Many people have served them with loyalty, many. And most of them left into the world of oblivion. I know some in our community who shared the same fate.

He did a service not only to them but to the Church. I am a member of that Church. What have I done to those who have served the Church? I easily pointed my fingers to those I thought to be responsible to everything without pondering that I should first point my fingers to myself, that I should have done something or anything for them. But I did not. Not a finger lifted. I was embarrassed, and resolute quickly to head to the box. As for me, I too needed that absolution.

And that started my healing, I hope.