TRIBUTE: Msgr. Sabino Vengco @ 70

       On March 9, 1942, a boy named Sabino Azurin Vengco Jr. was born in the barrio of San Jose, in the simple and faithful town of Hagonoy, Bulacan. Although he was a boy full of dreams, no one ever expected he would become not just a great priest of Hagonoy, but a legend of the priesthood in both Bulacan and Metro Manila.

       On March 9 of the present year (2012), that boy celebrated his seven decades of existence in this world. I personally attended Msgr. Vengco’s 70^th birthday celebration. The celebration was held in Marikina City and the first part of the celebration was the Thanksgiving Mass presided of course by the “birthday boy,” Msgr. Vengco and the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D. Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan was the homilist. The Mass started at 6 o’clock in the evening in the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City where bishops from different dioceses attended like the Most Rev. Teodoro C. Bacani, D.D., the Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches, the Most. Rev. Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., D.D., the Bishop of Kalookan among others. Aside from bishops, our beloved priests from the Ephesus Ministry and priests from Hagonoy and Metro Manila also concelebrated during the Mass of thanksgiving of our dear Msgr. Vengco. Archbishop Soc Villegas said in his homily how a great priest and a good friend our dear Msgr. Vengco is. He said that Msgr. Vengco is a true blessing to all of his friends, neighbors, “kabayans,” family, co-workers, to the faithful, and also to the priests. He is indeed a grace from God, and a sign of the goodness of the Lord.

          After the mass, at around past 7 o’clock in the evening, the reception was held just beside the diocesan shrine. While entering the dinner hall, the “Bandang Kawayan” of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines was playing a native song. While waiting for the food to be served, the organizers had played a slide presentation, showing the life of Msgr. Vengco from the first years when he entered the seminary until he became what he is now. They also played a video of different priests, seminarians, students, co-workers and friends of Msgr. Vengco giving their birthday message to him.

         Aside from his birthday celebration, Msgr. Vengco also launched his book “Itanong kay Monsi” printed by St. Paul’s and a project of Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation, Inc. This book contains the answers to different questions about our Catholic faith and practices. Msgr. Vengco also shared and talked about his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and how this devotion to the Virgin makes him what he is now. While he was telling the stories of his devotion, a “replica” of the painting of the Virgin Mary as “Sedes Sapientiae” or “The Seat of Wisdom” in Sankt Matthias, Trier, Germany was beside him. After his story of devotion, he gave thanks to all those who attended the celebration. He said, “Wala ako rito, kung wala kayo riyan..” (I will not be where I am if your were not there). He said that our support to him has a big impact on him to pursue more to help and to inspire many people.

      After the dinner, we lit up seven Chinese lanterns symbolizing his seven decades in this world and as he hoped for more decades for him. I personally flew one of the seven lanterns. I said a prayer for him before I let go of the lantern. The people were very happy seeing the lanterns in the night sky and the celebration ended after we gave the "birthday boy" a warm round of applause.

                                                  “Salamat kay Msgr. Vengco,

                           Salamat sa Diyos at may Msgr. Vengco..”

                                                          - Archbishop Soc Villegas

Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco @ 70 
Pictures of the Event (from the Author)

The beloved Rev. Msgr. Sabino Azurin Vengco, Jr. who celebrated his 70th year of existence
on the 9th of March, 2012.

The celebration started with the Holy Eucharist done at the Diocesan Shrine of
Birheng Walang Mag-ampon in Sta. Elena, Marikina City. Msgr. Vengco has stayed in Rizal
Province (wherein Marikina serves as a part in the Diocese of Antipolo) in his active apostolate in order to accomodate his pastoral and teaching ministries.

The mass was headed by Msgr. Vengco attended by some bishops and priests who are aided by the Ephesus
Ministry under the Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation, Inc.

This is the souvenir book that was made in honor of Msgr. Vengco's 70th birthday entitled "A Priest
at Seventy: A Continuing Service." This shows Msgr. Vengco's achievements throughout his seventy years.
This was launched together with "Itanong kay Monsi," a catechetical book published by St. Paul's.

Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation, Inc.

Foundation for the Sick and Elderly Diocesan Priests
(www.ephesusministry.com)

Msgr. Vengco up to this moment heads the Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation, Inc. which serves as his special apostolate. He has dedicated himself to the service of caring for sick and old diocesan priests who are in need. This special ministry has allowed him to be active throughout the country due to his urge for the youth and the laity to support the elderly priests of the nation.

Even at 70 years of age, Msgr. Sabino Vengco continues in his crusade to bring
good to the people who in the years have administered and cared for the Church in our
country. It is to this dedication and love for his fellow priests that he wishes for us to
continue such an endeavor.