by Joel V. Ocampo
photos from WWJD? "What Would Jesus Do?" - Diocese of Baguio
On September 7, 2024, Rev. Fr. Rafael Tambao-an Cruz, a priest of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, and Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Baguio received his Episcopal Ordination at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City, Province of Pangasinan, with H.E., Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., as Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan as the Principal Consecrator. The Principal Co-Consecrators for the said ordination were H.E., Most Rev. Victor B. Bendico, D.D., Archbishop of Capiz, former Bishop of Baguio; and H.E., Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque. Witness also during the celebration is H.E., Most Rev. Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, and around twenty more bishops.
Bishop Raffy, as he was fondly called, was born on March 12, 1960, Saturday, a day of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He studied Theology at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (1981-1985). According to the Catholic Hierarchy website, Bishop Raffy received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on September 8, 1985, during the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Now, he was ordained as bishop, 39 years after he was ordained priest. Furthermore, he will take his seat at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Atonement, a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events seem to tells us that he is under the Guidance the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Seat of Wisdom. Just as the Our Lady of the Atonement stood at the foot of the Cross, so will the Blessed Mother remain with Bishop Raffy as they both pray for the people of God.
Seat of Wisdom
“Seat of Wisdom” is one of the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Litany. She was called “Seat of Wisdom” because the Son of God, who is also called in Scripture the Word and Wisdom of God, once dwelt in her, and then, after His birth of her, was carried in her arms and seated in her lap in His first years. Thus, being as it were, the human throne of Him who reigns in heaven.
On February 19, 2022, the then Fr. Raffy shared that whenever he receives a new pastoral assignment or appointment, he reads 1 Kings chapter 3, the story where King Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom, and makes the prayer of King Solomon as his prayer. The prayer goes, “Lord, please give an understanding heart and a wisdom to discern between good and evil, and to do what is good” (cf. 1 Kings 3:9). Back then, he also asked the faithful, “More than your applause, prayer is what I need. Please pray for me so that I could bring Christ, I could project Christ, the Good Shepherd to all of you.” He added, “I assure you also, that as you pray for me, I also pray for you always.”
After he received his Episcopal Ordination, Bishop Raffy once again shared reading the Prayer for Wisdom of King Solomon. He also asked for prayers saying, “I do not know exactly why I became a bishop. Only Jesus knows why He made me a bishop…This awareness of my weaknesses and insufficiencies lead me to one realization: I need prayers…Please pray for me.”
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Seat of Wisdom continue to lead Bishop Raffy, the Pope, the bishops, and all the clergy into Jesus, the wisdom of God (cf. 1 Cor. 1:24), the source of all wisdom.
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