BISHOP EMERITUS HONESTO C. PACANA, SJ, DD
A Leap of Faith
A TRIBUTE TO BISHOP ONIE
by Fr. Bros Flores, SJ - Superior, Bukidnon Mission District
Let me begin by citing Bishop Onie’s speech when he received the 2019 Archbishop Santiago TG Hayes Award at the Academic Convocation during the 80th Commencement Exercises of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan on March 28 at the XU Gymnasium.
“It came as a surprise but a pleasant one. I guess the board’s choice of me was also based on being the oldest living Filipino Jesuit missionary and perhaps the last Jesuit bishop of Malaybalay?
I remember an American Jesuit, Fr George Kirkgessner who was a recipient of the same award some years back. He was known for his dedicated service in the mission in this part of Mindanao besides having been the secretary or chancellor of Archbishop Hayes. The story goes that in his response after receiving the award, he said something to this effect: “I have been trained as a Jesuit not to aspire for fame and power. For after all,” he said “all this just passes by like water poured over a duck’s back ... “But,” he added with a big smile, “the duck likes it!”
I can resonate with Fr George in that BUT with this difference, this duck likes it more.”
I am sure Bishop Onie would not mind having this necrological service tonight. I can even imagine him giving that trademark impish smile!
Dear family and friends of our beloved Bishop Onie, good evening.
We gather here today to celebrate the life and legacy of Bishop Onie. Fr Mat has already necrologized but let me add one more. In 1978, he professed his final vows in the Society before the now Servant of God, Fr Pedro Arrupe, who was then the superior general of the Jesuits.
The great scientist and mathematician, Isaac Newton, writing to his rival, Robert Hooke, states that “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
We are here because we have been inspired, influenced, and helped by Bishop Onie. Now we can dream more, aspire for heaven more, desire to be saints even more and love the poor more because Bishop Onie, Uncle Bishop Tingting, Lolo Bishop has hoisted us up, allowed us to stand on his broad shoulders and made us see the bigger picture! For all intents and purposes, he is truly a giant despite his small frame!
On a personal note, I am very privileged to be taking on the role that Bishop Onie used to handle: Director of Malaybalay Jesuit Retreat House and superior of the Jesuit Bukidnon Mission District. I realized that the reason why I can dream God’s dream in terms of the spirituality of our catholic students and lay faithful here in Bukidnon, encourage fellow Jesuits to carry out further the mission of Jesuits here in the diocese now is because Bishop Onie made it easier for me. Borrowing Isaac Newton’s words, we can carry out the mission of the Jesuit here because I, we, Jesuits stand upon the shoulders of one great giant, Bishop Onie, the 3rd bishop of Malaybalay.
Friends, the giant is gone. In his book, A Leap of Faith, Vol. 3, Bishop Onie writes: "There is one significant and eventful happening that is awesome, mysterious, and even fearful, that each one of us will inevitably have to go through just once: death... Since death happens only once, it is but proper that we prepare for it daily.”
If you think about it, Bishop Onie has prepared for it really well for he has died a thousand daily deaths over his 91 years of his earthly journey - death to the Chavez-Pacana dream for this young man of 18 in order to become a Jesuit, dying to personal dream of being a soldier like his Kuya and his desires and attachments as he moved from one assignment to another over his 73 years as a Jesuit and 30 years as bishop, dying to self-will and obeying even when celebrating Masses in convents and parishes meant a lot to him, on Dra Deticio’s and Sr. Rina’s orders, dying to the power and prestige of being a bishop and director of many institutions and allowing new leaders to steer those institutions.
This reminds us of what John writes in the 12th Chapter of his Gospel: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” And much fruit he bore, indeed! And we, who have been touched by him in one way or another, our lives is his legacy. It is incumbent upon us now to carry on the legacy and multiply even more the fruits that Bishop Onie’s daily deaths bore.
There is no better way to encapsulate the more than 50 years of service in Malaybalay than his response to the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan interview: “There is no place like home,” he tells of Mindanao. “My first assignment was here in Malaybalay, and I have been here for more than 50 years now.” Truly, you are home, now, Bishop. Rest well in the bosom of our Redeemer! You have lived a full life. Bishop Onie, as I often whisper while tapping the coffin of the fallen Jesuit passing between us, Jesuits, lining up to bid our farewell during the funeral rites, we also say it to you today, “Well done, good and faithful companion of Jesus!”
(Homily delivered by Fr. Bros Flores, SJ during the memorial service for Most Reverend Honesto C. Pacana, SJ, DD, February 8, 2024, San Isidro Labrador Cathedral, Malaybalay, Bukidnon)
