Fr. Hilario Siñgian, Jr., O.P., urged his fellow Dominicans to keep their faith strong even amid times of struggle as he marked the 50th anniversary of religious profession in the Order of Preachers.
Siñgian, 69, was professed in the Dominican Order on July 4, 1971 at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.
He served as parish priest of the San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish Church in Dagat-dagatan, Navotas City.
In 2008, he was appointed socius or assistant to the master of the order for Asia and Pacific by then Master of the Order Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa, O.P.
The Mass for the 50th anniversary of Singian’s religious profession was led by Prior Provincial Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, Jr., O.P. on July 3.
During his homily, de la Cruz said Siñgian’s milestone was proof of how God’s grace was the “beautiful side” amid a difficult time.
“What is important when we look back is to look into the experiences of what it means to be human. To be human means to struggle. We have our own imperfections, and we struggle even just to grow and improve our lives. Struggle is a part of those 50 years of our journey,” de la Cruz said.
“It is the nature of God’s heart to reach out to the human condition and human misery to redeem it. When we see this (struggles) in our lives, it gives more flavor to our celebration,” he added.
Citing the Blessed Mother’s magnificat prayer, Siñgian vowed to serve God’s people as an expression of his gratitude to the Lord.
“My entire Dominican vocation story is all about divine mercy. The mercy I sought from God and the community in July 1971, and which I will seek again now and until death,” he said during the concluding rites of the Mass.
Siñgian also emphasized the importance of Dominican brotherhood in continuing his vocation.
“Twice in those 51 years, I wanted to quit but God would not allow it. He did not give up on me. He would always send an angel disguised as a Dominican brother to rescue me,” he said.
