A living saint

In these times when priests are under the radar, it is but proper to acknowledge a good servant of God. It is not always true that good men die young because he is still spry at the age of eighty one. He has reached the compulsory age yet he does not say no to acts that promote the words of God.

In 1979, my aunt centenarian, Florentina Ignacio rejoiced when our parish priest in Masantol was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

I did not pay much attention to her glee until I realized later that the priest is out of the ordinary. He rode in an owner jeep provided by his parishioner. He was simple in his ways and he appeared unaffected by material r ew ar ds.

The moment you come face to face with this man, you are influenced by his holiness.

Without fear of contradiction, I dare say that Paciano Basilio Aniceto is a living saint. No parish that he was assigned to could say negative words. He was a sincere servant of God, doing his chores, beyond the call of duty. He uplifted the Catholic faith of those who were lucky to be his constituent s.

Apu Ceto, as he is fondly called continues to be heard on radio, dishing out gems of wisdom. He leads in the praying of the Angelus and rosary which is but fitting.

He passed the entrance exams at Philippine Normal School. He was set to enroll to be a teacher but he was called and chosen. On the Christmas Eve of 1962, he was ordained as a priest.

From there, he served as Asst. Parish Priest successively in Guagua and Mabalacat, Pampanga. From 1965 to 1977, he was at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary where he inspired young men to lead a religious life.

In 1989, he was at the pinnacle of his religious life as he was elected to the Metropolitan. See as Archbishop of San Fernando succeeding Apung Oca Cruz.

As an Archbishop, his humility shone the brightest. His kindness is legendary. His honesty is beyond reproach. His morality is unconditional.

It is not an exaggeration to claim that this priest is the masculine Mother Teresa.