Discerning, resolute, one of insight and marked with exceptional solicitude, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), is a beacon of light, unmoving in his calling in over three decades as a missionary priest.
Taking his religious vows in 1984 and ordained to the priesthood on 25 April 1992, Rev. Fr. Gilbert’s Sacerdotal Anniversary is not just a personal milestone, but also a testament to a lifetime of servanthood, faith, and selflessness.
32 years after, Saint Louis University commemorates a significant event with immense joy and thanksgiving through a Eucharistic Celebration at the Prince Bernhard Hall and a tribute performance titled “A Journey of Faith, a Journey of Gratitude, and a Journey of Thanksgiving” by the Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) at the Fr. Van den Daelen CICM, CCA Theater.
With a heart of compassion and service, Rev. Fr. Gilbert’s dedication to the precepts of the Word and to the mandate of the CICM vision and mission expanded borders in the mission field, embodying two core creeds embedded in the Louisian identity: Sapientia Aedificat and Misio et Excellentia – “Wisdom Builds” and “Mission and Excellence.”
Fostering Louisian servanthood and community through the Eucharist
The 32nd Sacerdotal Anniversary commemoration opened with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD. The communal gathering strengthened the fervor of faith and renewed heartfelt devotion within the Louisian community through the encouragement of the Gospel of Mark 16: 5-20 which begins with the words, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”
Addressing the congregation, Fr. Gilbert said, “I stand before you today full of gratitude in my heart for your reassuring presence and unwavering support in celebrating another milestone in my priestly ministry. I glorify the Lord God in a loud voice for his inviting presence in all those years.”
As an intern-brother for three years in Hong Kong, 14 years as a religious missionary priest in Mongolia, ten years in Saint Louis College- La Union as a school administrator, and eight years thus far in SLU with a focus in establishing the culture of Missio et Excellentia in the University, Fr. Gilbert recalled how he always felt the presence of the Lord. Looking back, he has never felt regret for having committed his life to his call to servanthood.
“Being a priest is a life of self-surrender to the Lord and the mission entrusted to you. That life of self-surrender is translated into action: preaching the Word, presiding Eucharistic celebrations, hearing confessions, building communities, and carrying our missionary mandate in an ever-changing world,” he exhorted. To Fr. Gilbert, “the mission ahead is enormous” and we, the Louisian community, are called to respond to these challenges as a university and as individuals.
“32 years ago, I stood before the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary…32 years later I stand before her image again with the same praise to God in thanksgiving for 32 years as a missionary priest,” Fr. Gilbert expressed. He addressed the congregation one more time and said that his life as a priest is a joyful one and extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone for being with him on this day.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist was sanctified even further through the Seven Manifold Blessings for Fr. Gilbert, which are prayers offered by the Louisian community through Ms. Glory Dela Peña, Officer- in- Charge of the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS); Dr. Faridah Kristi C. Wetherick, Dean of the School of Advanced Studies (SAS); Engr. Jeffrey Des B. Binwag, UIDC Chair and Dean of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA); Atty. Jerico G. Gay-ya, Dean of the School of Law (SOL); Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit, Hospital Administrator of the SLU- Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU SHMC); Dr. Mary Pauline E. Namoca, Dean School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA); and Dr. Felina P. Espique, SLU Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Fr. Gilbert then recommitted his life and his call as a missionary priest through his Prayer of Consecration to Mother Mary, lifting up his own prayer for the Blessed Mother to “consecrate my person and my desire for holiness.”
Celebrating through Culture and the Arts: “A Journey of Faith, a Journey of Gratitude, and a Journey of Thanksgiving”
Imprinting gratitude and thanksgiving within the day’s significant celebration, SLU CCA performed a tribute titled, “A Journey of Faith, a Journey of Gratitude, and a Journey of Thanksgiving.”
The distinguished tribute became one of the unforgettable highlights of the sacerdotal anniversary because of the spectacular lineup of performances: a monologue by Tanghalang SLU, “How Beautiful” by the SLU Glee Club and SLU Concert Orchestra, “Ikaw ang Mahal Ko” by the SLU Dance Troupe, “Ave Verum” by the SLU Concert Orchestra, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Tanghalang SLU, “Where the Light Gets In” by the SLU Dance Troupe, “Million Dreams” by the SLU Glee Club, and the finale – “Pagpupugay” by the SLU Glee Club and SLU Concert Orchestra.
Indeed, the celebration of culture and the arts in the community that Fr. Gilbert serves through SLU made the 32nd sacerdotal celebration even more all-important.
Living out Life with a Gift for Missionary Work
Born in Tuguegarao City on 5 August 1962, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, fondly called “Fr. Gilbert,” first joined the CICM in 1979 then took his religious vows in 1984. He was ordained to priesthood on 25 April 1992 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Fr. Gilbert received Catholic formation from Saint Paul College (Tuguegarao City) for his formal education, Saint Louis University for his bachelor’s degree, and Maryhill School of Theology (Quezon Hill) for a master’s in theology. He earned a PhD in educational management from SLU in 2013 with Magna Cum Laude honors. He pursued special studies in various universities and institutes in Hong Kong, Mongolia, Singapore, Israel, Thailand, New York, and Chicago.
Fr. Gilbert’s First Missionary Assignment was in Hong Kong (1988-1991), followed by the Second Missionary Assignment in Mongolia (1992-2006).
In the year of Fr. Gilbert’s ordination, he was chosen by Pope John Paul II to be one of the three pioneer missionaries to Mongolia in 1992. He founded a center for street children and received the “Ghengis Khan Honor Medal of the Great Mongolia State” for his contributions to the development of the people of Mongolia.
Due to the influence of his missionary work, Fr. was once featured in a London-based BBC News referring to him as “the Filipino priest who brings hope to the children of Mongolia.”
In 2007, he returned to the Philippines to become president of Saint Louis College- La Union and later became the seventh president of Saint Louis University in 2015.
For eight years thus far and counting, the Louisian community at SLU has been a witness to Fr. Gilbert’s heart of compassion, competence, and service — genuinely manifesting the mandate of the CICM vision and mission.
