Vamos! Remembering Jaime Cardinal Sin

Homily of Bishop Rufino Sescon, Jr.

Memorial Mass on the Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

and Death Anniversary of Jaime Cardinal Sin

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) | June 21, 2025

Photos from the Manila Cathedral Facebook page

Your Eminence Jose Cardinal Fuerte Adincula, Archbishop of Manila; my brother priests; the Sin family; brother and sisters in the Lord:

Twenty years have come to pass since our merciful and loving Father has called to his bosom our dear Jaime Cardinal Sin. 

On the eve of his death, as Father Mark and I were holding vigil at Cardinal Santos, the Cardinal called us and said, "Vamos! Vamos!"

That was the Cardinal’s usual injunction, especially when he already wants to leave or go home at the villa. He was lifting his hands, requesting me to assist him, but I must confess, that was one order I was not able to accomplish and obey. 

Vamos! That was his last word. 

Vamos! Let us go. 

This simple invitation can very well describe the life and ministry of the great pastor, prophet and patriot we remember today.

Let us go.

Long before synodality and walking became vogue, we have seen and experienced it in Cardinal Sin.

Vamos was his invitation as a true leader and shepherd.

"Let us go" does not mean I will be in front and do everything for you. "Let us go" does not mean that I will be at the back and let others do the job.

"Vamos" is not sheer domination or delegation. "Let us go" means I will be with you.

I will journey with you. I will listen to you. I will struggle and fight with you. I will suffer with you. I will solve problems with you. I will rejoice and grieve with you. I will be with you at all times. 

Didn't we witness the life and times of Jaime Sin experience that? When Filipinos needed hope and strength during dark times of tyranny, at a time of ambiguity when Catholics needed a clear moral compass, they had a Cardinal Sin who with selfless courage and generosity said to them, "Let us go."

Let us go and speak out for the oppressed.

Let us go and march at the streets.

Let us go and hold prayer rallies and vigils.

Let us go and comfort the poor.

Let us go and confront the tyrants and corrupt.

Let us go and implore the Blessed Mother.

He did not do things by his lonesome. Neither did he let others do the task for him.

Cardinal Sin did not isolate himself in the comforts of power.

He listened to the heartbeat of the people, especially the poor, the suffering, the voiceless. He stood not above the people but among them, as one who serves. 

"Let us go" is a call to action, as much as an encouragement both for the one who calls and the one who is called. It casts away passivity, indifference, evasion, and indecision. "Let us go" produces assurance, inspiration, empowerment, and solidarity.

"Let us go" in a nutshell is communion, participation, and mission. Isn’t that the essence and spirit of synodality? 

Why was it so natural for Cardinal Sin to say "Vamos!" during crucial moments? And why was it easy for us to heed the call? I’m sure Cardinal Sin always kept to heart what our Lord Jesus said in the Gospel: Do not be anxious. Do not worry about your life.

He was always assuring us. As one who serves the Lord, Jaime was not paralyzed by fear. The Lord is in control. He who seeks the Kingdom of God and his righteousness will always exclaim,

Vamos et Servire. Let us serve.

Serviam. I will serve.

But such boldness does not spring from his ego. Yes, Jaime was larger than life. But he was not full of himself. In fact, he always makes fun of himself, comparing himself to the lowly donkey rode upon by the Lord. 

Cardinal Sin loved to share a story when he asked his mother how come he was her favorite? He thought because he was the most cute and brilliant; only to hear from his mother it is because he was the weakest and ugliest of the siblings. 

Like Saint Paul, he boasts of his weaknesses in order for the power of Christ to be at work in him.  Isn't it that when we are weak that we are strong because that moment is the opening of divine grace in our lives? 

So I go back to the question: why was it so natural for Cardinal Sin to say "Vamos!" during crucial moments?

The answer is: humble confidence. 

He spoke with confidence but not arrogance; with authority but not authoritarianism. He preached the word with force but completely reliant on the one who speaks the Eternal Word. He accepts his inadequacies but also the infinite power of prayer. He knows his limits but also believes in miracles.

Humble confidence is deeply religious because it dares to trust, to serve, to love, to decide and to act, even if it costs so much, even if it’s against all odds.

Humble confidence can only be cultivated by someone who firmly believes the assurance of the Lord, “My grace is sufficient for you.” 

Up until now, whenever there are major issues hounding our country, I read people's comments, “If only Cardinal Sin were alive today.” Or “What would Cardinal Sin say or do if he were here today?” 

I remember his last solemn mass in this Cathedral on April 4, 2004 on the occasion of his golden priestly ordination anniversary. That was his last mass here. He was very frail. The once vigorous prelate who marched the streets had to be rolled in during the entrance procession. The powerful voice that called for two prayer-filled People Power Revolutions was so faint and weak. 

I remember especially during the Eucharistic Prayer, as if too tired to speak, nothing was coming out of his mouth. It was then, when he was so silent already because of weakness, that as if on cue, all the concelebrating priests and bishops sonorously joined him in prayer for the rest of the mass. Everyone became his voice. 

Didn’t he teach us? Didn’t he show us the way? 

And this is my prayer on this Memorial mass. With humble confidence, may we be the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd who always assures us, "Do not be afraid; My grace is enough for you."

With humble confidence, may we tirelessly invite our people,

Let us go and free our country from lies, corruption, and injustice. 

With humble confidence, may we zealously proclaim, "Let us go, the Kingdom of God is at hand." 

Vamos! Let us go. The journey is not over yet. Let us not be afraid to go for a great cloud of witnesses—like the friends John Paul II and Jaime Sin, and so many more—surrounds us. 

The crossing towards holiness and heroism continues. The voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd lingers to call us. The great Master and Teacher remains to journey with us until we all reach heaven, our true home. 

Let us go. Let us go to heaven for Jesus is calling us. Amen.

******

Watch the full homily on the Youtube page of The Manila Cathedral:

Transcribed by Margaux Salcedo

Photos and videos from The Manila Cathedral