Tagaytay, September 5 – A momentous evening unfolded on September 5 at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay, as Father Antonio Pernia SVD and Father Edgar Javier SVD celebrated 50 years of priesthood. Surrounded by 350 guests—including SVD confreres, family members, Holy Spirit Sisters, religious, lay partners, and friends—the two jubilarians were honored for their decades of faithful service to God and the Church.

The celebration began with a Holy Eucharist, presided over by Father Pernia. In his homily, Father Edgar reflected on his shared journey with Father Tony, recounting their time together in the seminary. Though they walked the same path as students and doctoral candidates, life led them down separate roads.

Yet, in what seemed like a destined opportunity, they were reunited at Divine Word Institute of Missiological Studies (DWIMS), bringing with them their unique experiences—Father Tony as a former Superior General, and Father Javier as a professor of missiology with a rich background, especially his time in Fiji and Samoa. This was a reminder of how God's plans often unfold beyond our own, and how, despite our own plans, He brings us together in unexpected ways.

After the solemn Mass, the festivities continued with Rector Samuel Agcaracar offering the first toast of the evening. He expressed his deep gratitude for the incredible contributions of both Father Pernia and Father Javier to the SVD mission. “It is with profound joy and respect that we come together tonight to honor these two exemplary confreres,” he said. “Let us raise our glasses in gratitude for their 50 years of service to the Society of the Divine Word and to the Church.”

With the toast, the evening transitioned into the dinner and program at the seminary gym. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with stories, laughter, and heartfelt tributes. Both celebrants expressed their surprise and gratitude for the overwhelming turnout, especially the number of SVD priests who had traveled from Manila and beyond to honor their brothers in Christ. Fathers Pernia and Javier acknowledged Father Tony Bon Pates and the rest of their classmates from the DIWA Class who had not lived to see this day.

A defining moment of the evening came during the Laudatio. The tributes shared by confreres, former students, and colleagues were filled not only with adjectives but also with deeply personal stories that highlighted the impact of the jubilarians’ lives. Each tribute reflected the profound influence Father Pernia and Father Javier have had, often shaping and transforming the lives of those who spoke.

After these heartfelt tributes, both celebrants responded with humility. Father Pernia, with a lighthearted tone, jokingly remarked that only one-third of what had been said about him was true, drawing laughter from the crowd. Father Javier, with more emotion, reflected on his role as a professor and the profound care he felt for his students. “I worked hard because I cared for each one of them,” he said.

While Father Pernia and Father Javier humbly felt they had not given as much as they had received, their real contributions to the Society were undeniable. As dedicated missionaries, visionaries in missiology, and leaders in their fields, their impact cannot be fully measured from their own perspective. Those who have witnessed their journey with the Society—like Father Antolin Uy, Father Dionisio Miranda, and Father John Mahoney—affirm that their lives and work have been a powerful witness to God's light and their legacy speaks volumes through the lives they have touched.

The evening also featured lively entertainment, with seminarians, graduates of DWIMS, and lay partners offering songs and dances that filled the gym with joy and energy.

Father Pernia and Father Javier’s 50 years of priesthood have left a lasting legacy on the Society of the Divine Word, shaping not only the future of the mission but also the lives of those they have served. The jubilee celebration was not only a tribute to their commitment but also a reminder of the powerful impact of faithful service.

PHC Notes Editor