By Rev. Jogar Villanueva, SDB
Every Funeral Mass for a deceased confrere gives meaning to our lives and vocation as Salesians—to tell the story of how a confrere touched the world and what the world would be like without them.
A liturgist, +Fr. Crisostomo “Cris” Eugenio Magbitang, SDB, 61, was called by the Father on April 25, Feast of St. Mark, to celebrate the eternal liturgy.
He left a great vacuum in the hearts of many people, especially the parishioners of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish—Better Living Subdivision. Parañaque, which was his last post as its rector and pastor.
On the morning of 29th April, +Fr. Cris was laid to his resting place at Don Bosco- Canlubang, it was preceded by the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Provincial Gerardo Martin, SDB, and concelebrating with him are Bishops Leo Drona, SDB, Bishop Emeritus of San Pablo and Jesse Mercado, DD of the Diocese of Parañaque, also present is the EAO Regional Councillor, Fr. Joseph Phuoc, SDB and more than 50 priests at the Diocesan Shrine of MaryHelp of Christians. Remarkably, the chapel was packed with a huge number of mourners whose lives were touched by the kindness of +Fr. Magbitang.
+Fr. Cris was a true blooded Bosconian who was always preparing for a happy death. Fr. Provincial recounted in his homily, how +Fr. Cris received the last sacraments Sunday before his demise. He also put stress on our being a resurrection people, that a death is a doorway to be with the Risen Lord in the after life. Quoting Don Bosco, that a piece of paradise fixes everything. +Fr. Cris, who has been a Salesian for 42 years, inspires and urges us to persevere in our vocation.
The province just lost another dedicated priest, one who smelled like his sheep– he has been in parish work for 13 years and for 19 years as a formator and professor. +Fr. Cris labored as a true and tireless servant of God, switching from teaching theology on weekdays and pasturing his flock on weekends. Although +Fr. Cris’ life came to an end, we expressed confidence that he is now at peace with God, with Don Bosco and especially with Mary Help of Christians, whom he loved and honored so well in his lifetime.
Salamat po Fr. Cris, hanggang sa muli!
