Bishop Rolando Santos' Homily at the Consecration of Bishop Jacek Tendej: A Call to Humility, Service, and Evangelization

In a deeply moving and spiritually enriching homily delivered on the occasion of the consecration of Bishop Jacek Tendej, Bishop Rolando Santos emphasized the virtues of humility, trust in God’s grace, and the responsibility of bishops to serve with the heart of Christ. The ceremony, held on 27 September 2027 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Alotau was a powerful moment not only for the faithful present but also for the Church at large, as it marked the appointment of a new shepherd who has been chosen to continue the sacred mission of evangelization.

Bishop Santos began by acknowledging the profound humility and sense of awe that Bishop Tendej felt upon receiving his appointment, likening it to the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Who am I?” Mary’s question to the angel when she was called to be the mother of the Savior resonates deeply, Bishop Santos said, as it reflects the humble heart required of anyone called to such an immense task. “It is wonderful, wonderful that my successor here feels that way. He's humble. He knows it is too much of a gift. Who am I?” Bishop Santos reflected, drawing a parallel between the humility of the Blessed Mother and the servant leadership required of bishops.

“Here I am, the servant of the Lord,” Mary’s response, said Bishop Santos, is the foundation of a bishop’s vocation—to trust in God, to offer one’s life to His service, and to be open to His will.

Drawing inspiration from the second reading, which highlighted St. Paul’s message on humility and the gifts entrusted to each believer, Bishop Santos reminded the congregation that God chooses those who are lowly and despised, “so that no one can boast.” He emphasized that the episcopal calling, while a great responsibility, is also a divine gift, bestowed with the grace needed to fulfill it.

“God gives him all the graces that he needs if that person could only trust in the Lord, who is faithful to Him and willing to do whatever God is asking of Him,” Bishop Santos said, affirming that the success of a bishop's ministry rests on his unwavering trust in God’s providence.

A Legacy of Service: St. Vincent and the Vincentian Charism

Bishop Santos, who himself belongs to the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), took a moment to reflect on the 400th anniversary of the congregation, a milestone celebrated this year. He recalled the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Vincentians, noting that Bishop Tendej’s appointment is a direct reflection of this legacy. “What a wonderful gift to the Lord and St. Vincent to have a bishop after the heart of St. Vincent to serve the Church,” Bishop Santos remarked.

He further connected his own experience as a Vincentian to the responsibilities of a bishop. “Everything I believe that one needs to become a bishop, we got it already from becoming a Vincentian,” he said. According to Bishop Santos, the formation and spirituality of a Vincentian provides a solid foundation for the work of a bishop. "You have been trained to be a bishop," he told Bishop Tendej. "The whole formation of a Vincentian is to become an Evangelizer of the Gospel."

Bishop Santos stressed the central role of evangelization in the Church’s mission. Reflecting on the life of Christ, he noted that Christ went about “proclaiming the Gospel to the poor,” and that this mission has been passed on to the Vincentian community and the Church at large. “If we are not evangelizing, we are not the Church,” he stated boldly. He also pointed out that the work of evangelization goes beyond preaching the Gospel—it involves witnessing to the Gospel, especially through acts of love and service to the poor.

In line with St. Vincent’s vision, Bishop Santos emphasized that a bishop must be not only a preacher but also a trainer of the clergy and laity, enabling them to actively participate in the mission of evangelization. “Without good priests, the work of evangelization will not happen,” he said, underscoring the importance of priestly formation in the work of the Church.

A key theme throughout Bishop Santos' homily was the importance of prayer in the life of a bishop. Echoing St. Vincent’s words, "Give me a man of prayer, he will be capable of anything," Bishop Santos reiterated that a bishop must cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer in order to effectively lead and serve the people of God.

“A man of prayer is a man capable of becoming a good bishop,” he said, urging Bishop Tendej to maintain a humble, prayerful disposition throughout his ministry. He also highlighted the need for simplicity, gentleness, mortification, and zeal in the life of a bishop—virtues that flow from a relationship with Christ and empower the bishop to lead with compassion and strength.

As the homily drew to a close, Bishop Santos encouraged all present to trust in the providence of God, especially during challenging times. “During this year of the Jubilee of Hope, never, never give up hope,” he said. “Never say, ‘I cannot do it.’” He reminded everyone that God’s strength would guide them, and with faith in His providence, there is no task too great.

He also invited the faithful to continue praying for Bishop Tendej, urging them to collaborate with him in building God’s kingdom. “Pray for him. Not only pray, work, collaborate closely with him,” he said, emphasizing the communal nature of the Church’s mission.

In closing, Bishop Santos spoke of the motto of the newly appointed bishop, "To serve with love," which he explained was modeled on the example of Christ’s own loving service. He reminded the congregation that true service flows from the heart of Jesus, who poured out His love for all humanity through His sacrifice on the Cross.

The homily of Bishop Rolando Santos at the consecration of Bishop Jacek Tendej was a powerful reminder of the deep responsibilities and graces that come with the episcopal calling. It underscored the virtues of humility, prayer, and evangelization, which are essential to living out the vocation of a bishop. As Bishop Tendej begins this new chapter in his ministry, the faithful are called to support him through prayer and collaboration, trusting in God’s grace and guidance as they continue the mission of the Church together.