My Sacerdotal Ordination Thanksgiving Speech.

“The Lord has done marvels for me, holy is his name”. 

It is with great joy in my spirit that I stand before all of you today to declare of God’s faithfulness. All glory, praise and thanksgiving to God our Father, His son Jesus our Lord and savior and to the Holy Spirit for giving me this great opportunity to serve as priest.  As we often say, God works in marvelous ways. In 2007 and 2008, God put me to the test and this experience has greatly humbled me. But this test wasn’t meant to humiliate or degrade me but has made me even more faithful and ever loving to Him for it was during this difficult period that I experienced His immense love and mercy. The Lord had never abandoned me, He instead molded me according to His plans and will to face those trials so that I may emerge as a better, wiser and stronger individual in carrying out His works. Just as clay is in the hands of the potter, I have surrendered myself to God’s hands, to be molded according to his will. I pray that the Lord will continue to mold and make me a priest who works with the mercy, love and righteousness of Christ; a priest after the sacred heart of Jesus.  

 

Speaking of righteousness, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank a certain individual who is a firm believer in justice. Bishop Paul Tan who had personally guided me out of these trying times by accepting me into the diocese and for believing in me. I thank you Bishop for your grace and understanding and for  ordaining me today.
I was once asked to leave the seminary. But I did so with my head held high for I spoke out against injustice. I will continue speaking up against injustice and for the poor, marginalized and unwanted. But from this experience through the dialogue and discernment I had  with Bishop Paul and Fr. Norris, I have come to know of better means in doing it now. It is also with a most humble heart, as my first duty as an ordained priest, that I want to once again sincerely apologise to all parties affected by this incident.

I would also like to thank my brother priests from the diocese of Melaka Johor for welcoming and supporting me. Thank you too to all the priests, deacons and religious who came to share our joy, Your presence have made this ordination extra special for us. I thank my seminary formattors and Spiritual directors from college general and SFX seminary, Singapore and especially my professors from the Loyola School of Theology, AdMU, Names that I must mentioned here is Fr. Benedict Yung, Fr. Rene Repole both who were my Fr. Guardian, Fr. Arnel Aquino my SD and Fr. Timoteo Ofrasio my professor in liturgy and sacraments who helped draw my ordination theme logo.  A special thank you to Fr. Cyril Manayagam, my seminary classmate who stood by me and constantly reminded me of my calling and never allowing it to fade. Fr. Mark O’Keefe from Australia, Fr. Louis Ponniah, Fr. Anthony Naden and the late Fr. Benedict Saverimuthu my parish priest who recommended me to the seminary. Fr. Andrew Kooi, who had composed the tune for the psalm.  Thank you to all the bishops present here, Bishop Emeritus James Chan, Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez who first sent me to the seminary, Archbishop Julian, who comes from my home parish, the Church of Visitation Seremban. Bishop Richard Ng and Bishop Simon Poh.   

To the parishioners from the historical churches of St. Peter and St. Francis Xavier and its various chapels who organized this ordination headed by Fr. Michael M.  a very big thank you to you. Although John and I asked for a simple celebration, Fr. Michael has made it so grand but only with the help, dedication and sacrifices of the many parishioners here. (History is made today, for I am told that this is the 1^st sacerdotal ordination in this oldest existing and functioning church in Malaysia, for ordinations were previously held at the hall or the ordination carried out as a diaconate. It is therefore a great honor and privilege to be assigned to serve in this historic parish with such passionate parishioners and alongside Fr. Michael M, a distinguished clergyman from whom I have learned so much and will continue to learn from.  

To the many who have traveled near and far and to those who would like to be here but cannot do so due to certain commitments, I thank you for your kind support, thoughts and prayers. I give my gratitude to those who have traveled to support me today. Most of you have known me for a long time, some of you have known me for a good amount of time, a few of you have known me for only a short time, and a couple of you are probably wondering who I am. But I thank all of you for being part of my life. Today is actually your day, not mine, for it is with your persistent prayers and support that preserved my vocation. And today God blesses you all with two priests.

My journey does not end here today. It is merely the beginning. So with a joyous and humble heart I ask that you to continue journeying with me with your unconditional love, support, prayers and kindness as we continue carrying out God’s will and the building of His kingdom here on earth. Thank you all, God bless and I wish you safe journeys.

To my family who has been a major influence in my vocation to the priesthood, thank you. A very big thank you to my mother Magdalene, and father Francis, of whom I owe and love the most. I will never be able to repay your kindness and love in dollars and cents, but I will do so by sharing your love and kindness to everyone around me.

My siblings who supported me all the way, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunties, cousins and all my relatives, thank you. Thank you too to my bro-in-law, Julian for taking care of my parents and for seeing to their cares and needs. Your presence is needed even more now since my older brother and I will continue being away from home.

I still vividly recall the day I left home for the seminary in 2001. My mother, as she often does, blessed me with the sign of the cross on my forehead and told me “Adrian do not worry, for Mother Mary will be there in my place to look after you”. We are blessed, for we have Mama Mary who continues interceding for us. She has indeed been looking after me and I have seen her maternal hands protecting and guiding me through her intercessions.  So I ask you all to please stand and join John and I in giving thanks to her and ask of her to continue praying for us.