A Shepherd Remembered: The 40th Day Memorial of Fr. Celso

Makati City, 24 August 2025. Fr. Celso C. Godilano, Provincial Vicar of the SSP Philippines-Australia Province, passed on to eternal life on July 15, 2025. His mortal remains were interred in the Pauline burial lot in Lipa City on July 19. To commemorate the 40th day of his passing, the Makati community held a concelebrated Sunday Mass at 5:30 PM at the Sanctuary of St. Paul on August 24, 2025.

The number 40, in the Bible, highlights moments of transformation and renewal in God’s plan—Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai, Elijah’s 40 days to Mount Horeb, and Jesus’ 40 days of fasting before his public ministry. For the Pauline Family, this day marked both remembrance and hope, as they commended Fr. Celso to God’s eternal embrace.

Present in the Mass were Fr. Celso’s family members based in Manila. Joining them were members of the Pauline Institutes of Our Lady of the Annunciation (IMSA), St. Gabriel the Archangel (ISGA), and Holy Family (ISF). Fr. Celso had devoted much of his time and energy as the Provincial Delegate to the Pauline Institutes, guiding them with patience, humility, and deep pastoral care.

In his brief homily, Fr. Gil noted how even the inclement weather that afternoon did not prevent the community from coming for the Mass. He recalled the passage: “Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away” (Song of Songs 8:7). Indeed, it was love, respect, and admiration for Fr. Celso that drew people together. Reflecting on the day’s Gospel about the “narrow door,” Fr. Gil emphasized that Fr. Celso himself had walked that narrow door to life—bearing his illness with courage and peace, and surrendering fully to God’s will.

After the Mass, the community prayed the requiem, while the concelebrants blessed with holy water Fr. Celso’s picture, adorned with candles and flowers. The gathering concluded with a simple supper at the community refectory, with food lovingly prepared and shared by members of the institutes—another sign of family spirit that Fr. Celso had always nurtured.

Fr. Celso’s life and passing remind the Pauline Family that true discipleship is found in faith rooted in God, love lived in service, and hope embraced even in suffering. Having entered the “narrow door,” may he now share fully in the banquet of eternal life with Christ, the Divine Master.