Bishop Angel Hobayan, Bishop Emeritus of Samar - A Gentleman of the Old School

Bishop Angel Hobayan, Bishop Emeritus of Samar, and Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS

How do you test the patience of the priest? First, look at his reactions and actions when the couple to be married arrived very late. Then, observe the same thing when he arrived early and the Mass' start is still hanging. Once you see him cool and compose and still gentlemanly then that priest has a very strong self-control and patience.

Bishop Angel again, sitting inside the Sacristy waiting for the start of the Mass.

Bishop Angel was invited for a 11:00am Mass and he arrived very early, I think 1 hour before. He patiently waited at the back of the session hall and listened to the speakers. Then he obliged to our picture-taking requests with dignity. At proper time he went to the Sacristy and started investing himself. And by the time he was sitting as shown on this picture it was almost 12:00nn and the Graduation of the Seminar participants was not yet over.

Bishop Angel with Bro. Ryan Mejillano of Catholic Faith Defenders - Davao and Bro. Gerald Cenir.

Actually the Apologetic Convention started 3o minutes late since some of the speakers were caught by traffic. I was 15 minute late myself. And by having several speakers who are used to speak for hours. But the Bishop remained like a Sacrificial Lamb until 12:30 when the Mass finally started. He celebrated it with grace and dignity and not rushing at all.

Fr. Abe with Bro. Mark Robinson Bunag

How I wish I'll be like that in my old age: Patient, kind, humble and so full of self-control. Bishop Angel is truly a man of God and a good shepherd of the flock.

Bro. Glenn de Javin of St. Jerome Emiliani Parish, Alabang and Bro. Ryan Mejillano of Davao. These boys look like priests. Hope that they are called by the Lord to the Holy Orders.