Walking with the People of God: Archdiocese of Capiz Welcomes Two Newly Ordained Priests
In his homily, Archbishop Bendico reminded the newly ordained priests that the priesthood is not a position of privilege but a vocation of total self-giving, deeply rooted in humility, obedience, and an intimate relationship with Christ. He emphasized that priests are ordained not for honor or status, but to shepherd the People of God with compassion, integrity, and unwavering faith. The Archbishop encouraged them to remain steadfast in prayer, faithful to the sacraments, and loyal to the teachings of the Church, especially amid the moral, cultural, and spiritual challenges of the modern world.
He further urged the new priests to stay close to the people they are called to serve, particularly the poor, the suffering, and those who feel distant from the Church. True ministry, he said, is revealed in a life of simplicity, moral credibility, and joyful witness to the Gospel. By walking with their communities, listening to their struggles, and sharing in their hopes, priests become living instruments of God’s mercy and compassion, bringing Christ’s presence into everyday life.
The Archdiocese of Capiz joyfully welcomed two new priests following the sacred Ordination to the Holy Order of the Priesthood of Rev. Fr. Christian P. Diaz and Rev. Fr. Danielle Xenon E. Ngujo, MMSJ. Fr. Diaz comes from the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, while Fr. Ngujo is a member of the Merciful Missionaries of St. Joseph. The solemn ordination rite was presided over by His Excellency, Most Rev. Victor B. Bendico, D.D., Archbishop of Capiz, and was attended by clergy, religious, families, and members of the faithful who gathered in prayer and thanksgiving to witness this significant milestone in the life of the Church.
The sacred celebration was marked by a profound atmosphere of reverence and joy, as the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration formally entrusted the two new priests with their mission of service to God and His people. For the families, relatives, and parish communities of the newly ordained, the moment was both deeply personal and spiritually uplifting, representing years of formation, sacrifice, and faithful discernment. The gathering reflected the unity of the Church, where clergy and laity alike rejoiced together in God’s continued gift of vocations.
The ordination of Fr. Diaz and Fr. Ngujo also stands as a powerful sign of hope for the local Church in Capiz. At present, the Archdiocese has more than 100 active priests serving in 71 parishes and mission stations, with several others assigned to pastoral ministry and advanced studies in Rome and in different parts of the world. These numbers reflect not only growth in vocation but also the increasing responsibility of the Church to respond to the spiritual needs of a diverse and expanding faithful community.
Church leaders and formators expressed that every priestly ordination is both a gift and a responsibility—a reminder of God’s continuing call to young men to dedicate their lives to sacred service. The presence of new priests strengthens pastoral programs, sacramental life, and missionary outreach, especially in areas where the faithful long for regular spiritual guidance and care.
As Fr. Christian P. Diaz and Fr. Danielle Xenon E. Ngujo, MMSJ begin their priestly ministry, the Archdiocese of Capiz entrusts them to the prayers of the faithful, asking that they may remain steadfast in their vocation, joyful in their service, and faithful to their promise of obedience and dedication to Christ and His Church. May their lives as priests become a source of inspiration to the youth, a comfort to the suffering, and a living testimony of God’s enduring love for His people.