The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu extends its heartfelt greetings and congratulations to Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, DD, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu, as he celebrates his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination.
Archbishop Palma presided over a Thanksgiving Mass at St. John the Baptist Parish in Dingle, Iloilo—the very parish where he was ordained to the priesthood five decades ago.
Joining him in the celebration were Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy, Jaro Archbishop Midyphil “Dodong” Billones, Jaro Archbishop Emeritus Romeo Lazo, Kalibo Bishop Cyril Villareal, and other visiting priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Palma looked back on his priestly journey with deep gratitude, remembering the people who accompanied and supported him throughout his studies and vocation. He recalled the many milestones along the way, as well as the struggles and difficulties that shaped him as a priest.
The celebration also held a deeply personal meaning for Archbishop Palma, as it coincided with the death anniversary of his father, Ruperto Palma, Sr.
As he marks his golden jubilee of priesthood, Archbishop Palma expressed his desire to continue becoming like gold refined by fire—purified of impurities and made ever more fitting for the service of God and His people.
“Sa gold, you purify by shredding off mga impurities — dirt, dust, soil. The way I look at my age at this stage when I am golden, I pray I will extract what is imperfect and impure, nga sa grasya sa Diyos I’ll become a more fitting gift to Him,” said Archbishop Palma.
Through all the blessings, challenges, and years of ministry, he continues to hold firmly to his episcopal motto: “Non Nobis Domine” — “Not to us, O Lord, but to Your name give the glory.”
In his message, Archbishop Abet expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Palma for his 50 years of faithful priestly service and, in a special way, for his love and dedication to the Church of Cebu.
As his successor, Archbishop Abet acknowledged that when he arrived in Cebu, he was not starting from scratch. Rather, he inherited a local Church that Archbishop Palma had already deeply loved, faithfully shepherded, and strengthened through years of service.
Archbishop Abet also reflected on the fruits of Archbishop Palma’s ministry, evident in the lives of priests he formed and accompanied, the communities he journeyed with, and the countless people who were touched by his presence and pastoral care.
He reminded Archbishop Palma that retirement from administrative responsibilities does not mean retirement from priesthood. He asked him to continue walking alongside him and the faithful, offering his prayers, wisdom, experience, and reassuring presence to the Church he has served for so long.
“You may have retired from administration, but a priest never retires from being a priest. We still need your prayers, your wisdom, your experience, and your reassuring presence. I still need them too. After 50 years, perhaps you no longer need to prove anything. You can simply continue being what God called you to be—a faithful priest of Jesus,” Archbishop Abet said.
After five decades of ministry, Archbishop Palma’s greatest witness may simply be to remain faithful—to keep walking with God’s people, praying for the Church, and giving glory to the One to whom his entire priesthood belongs.