As Father Roberto Ignacio prepares to retire, he credits the practice of daily prayer for giving him the spiritual strength he needed to minister to the faithful throughout his 47 years of priesthood.

“I’ve prayed my Breviary every day since 1966, when I entered the seminary,” he said. “This exercise is something I’ve always done.”

Father Ignacio will retire at the end of August from his position as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton.

A native of the Philippines, Father Ignacio attended the University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines, and the Central Seminary, Manila. He was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 2, 1974, in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines, by Bishop Cirilo Almario.

After his ordination, he served as associate pastor in several parishes in his home diocese. He also served as a pastor for two years, and as a hospital and prison chaplain.

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In 1984, Father Ignacio came to the United States as a visiting priest in St. Ignatius Parish, Long Beach, N.Y. The following year, he attended a spirituality school of the Focolare Movement in Florence, Italy, before joining St. Joseph Parish, Spring Valley, N.Y., as a visiting priest. Over the next six years he served as associate pastor at several parishes in the Diocese of Trenton, including St. Joseph, Toms River; Holy Innocents, Neptune; St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and St. James, Red Bank.

In 1992, Father Ignacio took on a new role as a chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, working in Allenwood, Pa., and Bryan, Texas.  He returned to St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, in 1996 as parochial vicar, and was incardinated in the Diocese of Trenton Feb. 15, 2000, by then Bishop John C. Reiss.

“I am very grateful to Bishop Reiss who gave me this opportunity,” he said of his experiences in the Trenton Diocese.

In 2006, Father Ignacio was named co-chaplain for the Serra Club international of Ocean County and spiritual advisor to the Diocese’s Bukas-Loob Sa Diyos charismatic prayer community. He also served as chaplain at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, while in residence at Holy Innocents Parish. Father Ignacio began his current assignment of parochial vicar in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, in 2008.

During his priesthood, Father Ignacio found the “extraordinary in the ordinary” and relishes the “regular routine” of parish life.

When reflecting on his time at Sacred Heart Parish, he recalls fondly the parishioners who lived their faith through the reception of the Sacraments.

“We always have so many people come to daily Mass and come to Confession,” he said, noting that the relationships he formed within the parish community is something for which he is most grateful.

“As a parish priest, I was very fulfilled, very blessed. I was glad to help people who needed spiritual help or those who needed help dealing with personal issues. That is what fulfils you as a priest.  Helping those who need you.”

Father Ignacio also spoke of how thankful he is for his time in the Diocese of Trenton and for the friendships with his brother priests.

“All I can say is, I have to thank God for the opportunity to serve in the Diocese of Trenton. There are very good priests here and I will miss the camaraderie with my brother priests.”

Father Ignacio is looking forward to retiring and joining his family in Fairfax, Va., but not before celebrating Mass one last time on Aug. 29 with the parish community, who fondly refer to him as “Father Tito”.

“I will miss them,” he said. “Yes,” there are so many good people here. Many, many good people.”