Cardinal Vidal, your legacy will live on

CEBU, Philippines — Long before he became a school principal, Dr. Urlindo Chavez could attest how the late Ricardo Cardinal Vidal valued the significant role and involvement of young individuals in serving God’s will.

The former Commission on Youth (COY) coordinator said the late cardinal was instrumental in forging stronger relations among the youth and in transforming young individuals holistically.

“I was a living witness then of how the late cardinal loved the young people of Cebu…We are in the stage that is full of vigor, strength and eagerness. That is what he wanted us, to have the courage to proclaim God’s plan, and in flesh Jesus’ presence through our doings,” he said.

Chavez, the current Argao National High School principal, was one of  the former COY members who delivered yesterday a testimony as a tribute to Vidal, who died on October 18.

Vidal succumbed to septic shock, an infection disease that can cause multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (formerly known as multiple organ failure), and even death. He was 86.

Like the young individuals, Chavez said, Vidal was full of youthfulness and energy.

Even now, he said the warmth of his love and communion has still enlivened the spirits of the young individuals.

He then shared that he was part of Vidal’s mission when he joined the commission way back in 2004.

He was once an active youth in the parish and in the district before he was appointed as the youth coordinator carrying the responsibility for three years.

He said Vidal was always present in most of the youth’s activities, giving his fatherly or brotherly advice.

“Sometimes we feel that it’s not him talking to us rather it’s Christ Himself. His words were mild and gentle. His laughter was contagious,” said Chavez.

He quipped that Vidal, despite his old age, allotted more energy than the young individuals, especially the enthusiasm to serve and demonstrate Jesus’ deeds.

Vidal, the former archbishop of Cebu, was one of the staunch supporters of the COY and, in fact, instituted the Local World Youth Day (LWYD) in 1985.

The LWYD is the local version of World Youth Day in the Archdiocese of Cebu scheduled before the Holy Week.

‘Gifts’

Chavez said the late cardinal had a deep concern and care for the out-of-school youth.

“He believed that this marginalized sector must be given full attention. They should not be left behind that is why the Archdiocesan Youthlinks Center was born,” he said.

This facility is a technical-vocational center where the out-of-school youth individuals are given the opportunity to develop their skills. Since it was established, the center has produced numbers of graduates and most of them are now working in the country and abroad.

Chavez said Vidal also wanted to open a center wherein young people can convene and have a chance to share their life experiences.

Vidal gave the vacant lot across the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and there now stands the Archdiocesan Youth Center.

Of  his great contributions, Chavez said, Vidal’s death wounded the youth sector of the archdiocese and the lay community.

“His presence may not be seen but his legacy has been imprinted in our hearts. His teachings have been in our way of life. And his ministry continues in our pursuit to touch other people’s lives,” he said.

Vidal, he said, was a person who lives with integrity and honor, who is of noble character and is worth admiring and emulating.

Chavez urged the youth to continue the learning left in them by the late cardinal.

“As a school administrator, the task in animating people to perform duties with enthusiasm and energy is a great duty to perform and transforming these young students to become servants of God is an endeavor which requires a divine intervention,” he said.

Chavez said he has even carried this responsibility to a much higher level being a husband and a father. Chavez is blessed with one daughter.

The sharing of testimonies happened when Vidal’s remains were transferred yesterday – on the fourth day of his wake – to the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod from Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in time for the fifth anniversary of the canonization of the young Filipino martyr.

The COY members and 65 youth organizations from different parishes in Cebu held a 30-minute eulogy and song tribute for Cardinal Vidal at 2:30 p.m. followed by a 3 p.m. mass.

One of the many highlights of Vidal’s episcopacy was his contribution in raising Calungsod to the altars of saints.

Vidal spearheaded the cause for the canonization of the country's second saint, the young Visayan cathechist Pedro Calungsod.

Vidal, as the postulator for the cause, led the investigation into the life of the young man from the Visayas who was killed in Guam while doing missionary work with Jesuit priest Diego San Vitores. Calungsod was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II, and later canonized by Pope Francis in October 22, 2012.

The commission-initiated activities for Calungsod’s anniversary were cancelled to show respect to Vidal.

In his homily during the mass, Vidal’s successor Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma also recounted how Vidal moved the youth community with his eagerness to participate in their endeavors.

Palma said Vidal would always stay up late at nights or wake up before sunrise just to be with the youth.

“The young now and young before if they would look back… we know he (Vidal) loved the youth. He knows who they are and what they are capable of,” he said.

“We should never underestimate their (young people’s) abilities and potentials… What I want to underline is there is wealth and value in every young person,” he added.

The remains of Vidal were brought back to the Cathedral at around eight last night. (FREEMAN)