Father of 3 turns ‘father’ of all after being ordained priest

The Diocese of Antipolo welcomed a new priest on Friday.

A widower, a father of three children, and a former business executive, Rev. FatherLamberto Ramos, 66, was ordained Friday at the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Antipolo City. He will be assigned to the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Church in Marikina City.

At the new priest’s ordination, Antipolo Bishop Francisode Leon said that with Ramos’ age and background, he could have chosen to marry again or simply enjoy his retirement. Instead, he chose to become a priest.

“Why did he want to become a priest? What motivated him to aspire to the priesthood in this sunset of his life? The answer is love – the love of God for him,”De Leon said in his homily.

And Fr. Lamberto, who in his youth was on the path of priesthood, responded to God's love by desiring again to become a priest, De Leon added.

“He believes that his vocation to the priesthood is 55 years in the making,”the Antipolo bishop said.

“Vocation to the priesthood is God’s gift to him. That God chooses him,” added De Leon.

Ramos was in high school when he first entered a seminary. He would later graduate with a philosophy degree, magna cum laude, from the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City.

But instead of pursuing priesthood, Ramos took a teaching job where he met his wife, Vilma Ramos. According to the official Facebook page of the Antipolo diocese, Vilma succumbed to cancer in 2009.

The Antipolo prelate reminded Ramos that his love for the Lord and God choosing him will demand lots of sacrifices from him.

“I expect that your rich experience, works, married life, parenting will bear lots of fruits for the greater glory of God and for the good of His flock,” said De Leon.

In response, Fr. Lamberto attributed this new chapter in his life to the Holy Spirit.

“Here, I am starting all over again.I attribute this to the work of the Holy Spirit. This is all about grace and in all humility I accept,”said Ramos, who was once a candidate for commissioner in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Ramos, at one time or another, was once an executive of Nextel, James Hardie, Alaska, Cleanway Technology Corp. and Learnix Global Philippines.