By Jamie O’Brien and Phil Bayne
Whenever I hear the stories of those who are about to be ordained, I’m always impressed by the perseverance and generosity of those men who make themselves available to wholeheartedly give themselves to the Church and the call that God has given them, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton has said.
Addressing the large congregation of clergy, religious orders, seminarians, family, friends and community members that gathered in St Mary’s Cathedral on March 6 to celebrate and bear witness to the ordination of Jhee Baguinat to the Ministry of the Diaconate, Bishop Sproxton said the ceremony confirmed the call that God had made.
That call, he suggested, was ultimately answered during a period of isolation for Jhee when he found himself back home in the Philippines during Covid.
“While it was a difficult time, it was not time wasted,” Bishop Sproxton proposed, “it was a time of grace that provided Jhee with the opportunity to deeply reflect on the call that God had been making to him over many years.
“There’s an obvious clarity in Jhee’s mind and heart about what this call entails – namely to serve, to love and to care for people.
“Jhee’s humility of heart and spirit will also ensure he remains open to what the Lord wishes him to do in his ministry now and in the future.”
Born and raised in the Philippines, Deacon Jhee was an only child whose parents – both catechists – instilled in him a strong foundation of faith from an early age. His vocation began to take shape as an altar server, before a parish priest invited him to “come and see” seminary life following high school.
What followed was not a single defining moment, but a gradual unfolding.
“I feel like it’s always been there,” Deacon Jhee reflected. “Each moment in my journey was a form of choosing…a way of allowing myself to be receptive to God’s will.”
His formation, however, was not without profound challenges. During his seminary years, he lost both his father and mother – experiences that led him to step away for a period of mourning and discernment.
In time, he also stepped away from seminary life entirely, spending several years working while continuing to discern his calling. Yet the sense of vocation never left him.
“After four years…the feeling of being called to the priesthood was still there,” he said, describing a renewed encounter with God marked by peace and conviction.
This period of reflection deepened his spirituality, particularly through prayer, which he describes as “a process of emptying” that allows for a personal encounter with the Lord and a greater trust in His plan.
Eventually, that call led him to the Archdiocese of Perth, where he resumed formation and continued his journey towards ordained ministry.
Recalling his own experience as a young priest, Bishop Sproxton said, while the initial call to ministry can be daunting, “you have the opportunity to be a magnificent witness to your faith and a model of faith to others, even as a young man.”
“I remember when I was a young priest in this cathedral and the very first time I celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation for people,” he continued.
“I remember that because I was petrified. After nearly three hours, what I thought would be a gruelling examination of all that I didn’t know about moral theology was really a moment of tremendous joy, because there was an encounter with the Lord in being present with those people I interacted with.
“This awaits Jhee in the future – the Lord will come. The Lord gives us that spirit, that grace which enables us to deepen our faith in Him.”
In his closing blessing, Bishop Sproxton paid tribute to Jhee’s family who he said had a very important part to play in Jhee’s life, in supporting him in his ministry, particularly as he lost both parents at a young age.
Of the gathered congregation, he also suggested, “this is (also your) family, and I pray that you will accept this as a great gift – that in the Archdiocese of Perth, you will find the support that you need as you grow into your ministry of service.”
In his address, Jhee said his ordination was the fruit of God’s call and the fruit of the generosity and charity of so many people who had been part of his journey of discernment.
While he had a long list of people who he thanked for helping and supporting him on his journey, Jhee ultimately gave thanks to God and His call to serve.
“I would thank the Lord for being so patient with me and for sustaining me with the strength I needed in every stage of my seminary formation,” he said.
