A priest for all seasons
SOMEBODY said: ““When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that at the end, you’re the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.”
Fr. Virgilio Bartolome, SVD, fondly called “Fr. Bart,” lived his life to the full for the Lord. Thus, when he left this world, he was smiling and everyone around him was crying.
*** On August 5, 2015, nine days before his 84th birthday, Fr. Bart, who was diagnosed with bone cancer two months prior to his death, passed away in San Francisco, California.
Fr. Bart was an indefatigable, zealous worker and a priest for all seasons. To turn down a request for Mass or preach a recollection was never in his vocabulary. It amazes me how he had the stamina to fill up his schedule of appointments, considering that he was known to give long talks and homilies.
** * In a Holy Week recollection in Baguio, the organizer recalled with fond memories his lengthy talks. In his last evening conference, Fr. Bart went on and on speaking that his listeners were nodding or dozing but he didn’t mind it. After the talk, there was of course a “great awakening” and everybody went to bed.
But here’s the rub, early the next morning, Fr. Bart roused the retreatants at 5 a.m., dragging them out to do the Stations of the Cross around the cold garden!
*** As a religious missionary, Fr. Bart exemplified extraordinary obedience. That’s shown in the numerous places he was missioned. After ordination on October 21, 1961, he was assigned to the University of San Carlos in Cebu, after which he moved to St. Therese Parish in UP, Los Baños, then to Magallanes, Cavite, serving as parish priest and even ran for delegate to the National Constitutional Convention (Concon) but lost.
After his stint in Cavite, he was transferred to the Divine Word University of Tacloban and subsequently to the Divine Word College of Vigan in 1978. After six years, he moved up to Baguio where he became well known among the Catholic Charismatic Renewal communities there.
From Baguio, he was transferred to Catholic Trade Manila, becoming the spiritual director of the SVD League of Friends and doing pastoral work.
*** In 2000, his health forced him to go for retirement at the SVD retirement house Villa Cristo Rey in Christ the King Seminary compound. But for a super active missionary, Fr. Bart’s retirement was short-lived. He got permission to continue his ministry with the charismatic groups in the USA. Most of the funds he earned were sent to the newly opened SVD mission in Palawan and the upkeep of the retirement house.
*** His regular exercise was swimming. For recreation, he played ping pong and relished card games, especially Canasta. Confreres fondly recall that he would never leave the table if he did not win. So those who wanted to retire already threw the game away, but feigned losing.
*** During Fr. Bart’s wake and funeral in Christ the King Seminary, so many came to pay their last respects, some coming all the way from the USA.
The Lord must have welcomed him with a big abrazo, saying: “Come good and faithful servant. Come and possess the Kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of the world.”
*** ST. JUDE. Today join us in our novena to St. Jude Thaddeus at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass.
A healing pray-over and anointing of holy oil will follow.