Born on 6 February 1931, ordained to the Sacred Priesthood
on 17 March 1956, elevated to the holy Episcopacy on 30 November 1971 and
eventually ranked with the eminent status of a Cardinal - these are the key
chapters in the life of His Eminence,
Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, D.D. who recently died but in fact becomes more
alive in memory, appreciation and admiration of those who knew him, those who
related with him, those who worked with him.
Now it can be said with all sincerity and candor: He was one of a kind – a singular example
hard to emulate.
His humility was deep and endearing. His kindness was exemplary and impressive. It can be said that he was a good example to
all, a well-loved figure to those who worked with him. Anger and pride appeared foreign to his
action and reaction patterns. Humility
was his trademark. Silently he worked
and silently he did much for the welfare of the people, for the good of the
Church. So it is that his life and
examples are not easy to follow even but considering their saintly nature and
spirit.
More. Tirelessly he
worked; assiduously he made researches. He asked people here and there, gathered necessary evidences from these
and those places. Eventually he made
representations to Rome whereto he went back and forth to follow-up his
concerns, to accomplish what was required of him in view of his concern and
finality. There were many standard and
particular demands asked of him to fulfill and/or to verify. All these he did and no one in the Philippines
has done the same - neither before nor nowadays. it is in no way easy to follow his good and
holy examples.
So it is that the highly singular and blessed fruits of his
labors can be rightfully considered as practically inimitable: the Canonization
of Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod - the two and only two
Filipinos elevated to the status of Sainthood!
No one, and this means no one in this Country as a whole has ever done
such a singular feat. And if this
distinct achievement were not enough, the good, kind and holy Cardinal had
already extended his hands and spirit to the admirable effort to have another
Filipino elevated to Sainthood: Teofilo B. Camomot - a man of the cloth
who died in a vehicular accident on 27 September 1988.
So it was that when it became known that Cardinal Vidal
died, there were people who prayed for him, viz., for the eternal repose of his
soul. But there were also people who
prayed to him, i.e., for his intervention on behalf of others for God's mercy
and forgiveness, for His help for their various needs as well as for His
assistance in their different trials and difficulties. So it is that the good, kind and holy
Cardinal is not merely prayed for on
the occasion of "All Souls' Day" but also prayed to during "All Saints' Day".
Cardinal Vidal:
Please pray for us - please!
