Nuncio’s Words after Communion
Eucharistic Celebration for the 79th Birthday
 of  H.Em. Cardinal Gaudencio ROSALES

His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila;
Their Excellencies  Bishop Broderick Pabillo and Bishop Bernardino Cortez,
Auxiliary Bishops of Manila;
His Excellency Bishop Benjamin Almoneda, Bishop-Emeritus of Daet
The Clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila;
The Religious men and women working in the Archdiocese;
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ;

As the Representative of the Holy Father in this Country, it is my pleasure to join the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila in greeting Your Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales on the occasion of your Seventy-ninth (79th) Birthday, celebrated last week, the Tenth (10th) of August.

Seventy-nine years of blessings! These were years of personal sacrifices known only to God, years of fervent prayers, years of spiritual and other consolations, years of faithfully carrying out the mission given to you by the Lord.

In the Sacred Scriptures, the names of biblical characters reveal the very nature of their mission and of their sacred calling. Our Lord, for example, was aptly named “Jesus”, which means “God saves”, a name proper to the Savior of the world.

Your Eminence, your name “Gaudencio” means “joy”. 

When you look back to your experiences gained, most especially, in the years of your service as Priest, as Bishop, then as a member of the Sacred College, the Senate of the Holy Father, you will see that “joy” is one of the many gifts you have imparted to the People of God. 

The Church in Malaybalay, in Lipa, and here in Manila can attest to this!  The farmers, the laborers, the poor people who are very dear to you can confirm this!  Your Eminence, you give “joy” to everyone you meet and to everyone you minister to.  You truly live up to your name, “Gaudencio”.

In Novara, Italy, the cult of San Gaudenzio is revered.  St. Gaudens was the first bishop of the place (c.a. 5 A.D.).  He was as a good friend of St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan.

St. Gaudens was known for defending the Faith from various heresies.  At the same time, he was a Bishop very much involved in helping the poor and in proclaiming the Good News to all, without discrimination.

Defending the faith and ministering to the poor gave St. Gaudens the “joy” that comes to those who truly follow the way of our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Now that you have completed another year in life, I pray that the Lord may grant Your Eminence the same “joy”. 

May He continue to bless you with happiness that is only fitting for someone who continues to dutifully fulfill his sacred duty as a privileged sharer in the priestly mission of our Lord Jesus.

I also wish to thank Your Eminence, on behalf of the Apostolic Nunciature Community, for the kind, generous, and valuable collaboration you have never failed to show us.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “Cause of our joy”, embrace you in the mantle of her maternal love.

In the name of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, I greet Your Eminence on this joyous occasion. 

Happy birthday Your Eminence! 

Ad multos annos!  Mabuhay!