By Matthew Purt
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has this month formally accepted St Charles seminarian Jhee Baguinat as a candidate for the Priesthood.
In a Mass at St Charles Seminary, Friday 14 March, clergy and the Perth Catholic community came together for the occasion– particularly from Banksia Grove where Jhee was on placement last year as well as from Midland Parish where Jhee sings in the Sunday Vigil Mass choir.
Highlighting the significance of this next step for Jhee, Archbishop Costelloe spoke of the church’s discernment with seminarians.
“The Church, too, in the person of the bishop, must also enter a process of discernment, seeking to understand whether or not what the candidate is reading in his heart and in his reflections on his own life journey, corresponds to what God is asking,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“When the bishop, as the fruit of his consultation and discernment, reaches a point where he believes that the signs are all pointing to the genuineness of a person’s calling to the priesthood, he formally recognises this by his acceptance of the request for a person to be admitted to candidacy for the diocese,” he continued.
“This is what is happening for Jhee this evening,” he said.
In speaking on the vocation to the priesthood, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on the 12 years of Pope Francis’ pontificate.
The Archbishop highlighted that 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy was a time during which we were reminded that Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy and that developing the ability to show forth this merciful face of Jesus is the ultimate criterion for determining if a man is called to the priesthood.
“Ultimately the vocation of a priest is the vocation to be, within the community of Christ disciples, a living and effective sign that Christ continues to be present to His people as their humble servant and their good Shepherd,” Archbishop Costelloe continued.
“The vocation of the priest is always first and foremost about the people to whom God sends me. It is always a call to turn my gaze away from myself and to gaze on the Lord Jesus, recognising that He is calling me and sending me to love and serve His people,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by saying that this is why tonight is so important for Jhee.
“It is a confirmation for him that through the many challenges of his formation journey so far, those involved in this journey have recognised the potential within him to be a credible and effective ambassador for Christ, and a faithful bearer of Christ love and mercy.”
Speaking after the Mass, Jhee expressed his gratitude to God, Archbishop Costelloe, Rector of St Charles Seminary, Fr Francis Nguyen and Vice Rector, Fr Joseph Laundy, and to the many priests, religious, friends and family who have helped shape him.
Jhee also spoke of his unwavering commitment to put his courage, trust and love in Jesus Christ, who alone can strengthen us.
In doing so, Jhee emphasised the role of the people of God in his discernment who have strengthened him through their prayers and their love in helping him to faithfully commit his whole life to the Lord for the service of the Church.
