Introduction
The Australian Filipina is glad to bring to our readers a sharing by a Filipino-Australian priest who was in Rome during the Conclave and participated in the Inaugural Mass of the new Pope. This is none other than Fr. Ed Orilla.
Fr. Ed Orilla who is much loved by the Filipino-Australian community celebrated his milestone of 35 years priesthood on 27 January 2022. The sixty-four year old priest who is from the town of Badiangan, province of Iloilo recently started in his role of Parish Priest in the St Patrick’s Parish in Kogarah, in the southern Sydney area.
Prior to his move to St Patrick, Fr. Ed served 12 years in St Joaquim’s Parish in Lidcombe, in Sydney’s west. During his time in St Joaquim’s, he instituted Simbang Gabi which involved Bishops and other Filipino and religious of other heritage and was well attended by Fil-Aus worshippers from various parts of Sydney for 11 years to the time he moved. He also led pilgrimages in lieu of taking his personal vacation. St Joaquim’s also had adoration chapel open to all 24/7. Aside from providing religious services and guidance, he has also actively promoted community cohesion and harmony. He had made the parish’s community hall available for various fundraising and other community activities.
Fr Ed’s blessed and successful priestly career include being the Pioneering Filipino Missionary in the Solomon Island of Guadalcanal; Rector of Holy Cross Cathedral, Honiara, Solomon Islands; Administrators in many parishes of Sydney Archdiocese as Parish Priest of St Pius V, Enmore and Tempe Parish before moving to St Joachim Parish.
Fr Ed’s Sharing
I just got back from Rome (May 23, 2025). The Lord has asked me to do something special and delicate in my priestly ministry- small in my estimation, but unknown to my expectation it turned out to be ‘bigger than big.’ What a beautiful and enriching experience in Rome. Not long enough may be, or may be too long to some minds.
With the joy of Easter, the sorrow of Pope Francis’ death, and the excitement of the Conclave and election of our new Holy Father, and my intensive course in Rome …such were the proceedings in the minds of many, and mine too. I departed Sydney 7th May- the day the Conclave started, arriving in Rome I had Mass at the Basilica of Maria Maggiore near the tomb of Pope Francis.
Afternoon of that day I went to St Peter’s Square, hoping to get a good glimpse of the white smoke from the chimney of Sistine Chapel. Lo and behold, I was blessed to witness it, just perfect timing: I was at the Augustinian Generalate House next to the Vatican colonnades, a vantage point, almost level with the loggia and rooftop of Sistine Chapel.
It was not just merely a smoke, but something more beautiful experientially and existentially, sort of ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience, rejoicing and uttering ‘Yeahhh’ unreservedly with my Augustinian brother-priests and friars as we watched and waited for the final announcement of the newly elected Pope and Vicar of Christ after Pope Francis.
The screaming reached its peak as we audibly heard the name of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian priest (and I was at the Augustinian Generalate House). Then, I sprinted to St Peter’s Piazza to join the innumerable crowd, rejoicing. What an experience! Went back to Domus Australia where I stayed, still elated with the succession of beautiful events.
I attended the 1st Regina Coeli (Angelus) given by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (Sunday). Classes started the 12th of May for the entire week. Then our class 2025 had a special Mass inside St Peter’s Basilica after carrying the Pilgrimage Jubilee Cross from Piazza Pia to the inside of St Peter’s Basilica. I was privileged to distribute Holy Communion during Mass inside St Peter’s Basilica. The apex of this time in Rome was the attendance of the Solemn Mass of Inauguration of the new Pope on Sunday 18th May. It was just beautiful! It was sheerly overwhelming!
Many unexpected events in the past weeks happened that I needed a space for quiet reflection before flying back to Sydney. I went to Loreto, Northern Italy, for prayer and reflection. (Sitting in the train for about 4 hours on the way and another 4 hours back gave me ample time to ponder and reflect and pray about the experience).
I had Mass again early morning at Maria Maggiore Basilica the day before I flew back to Sydney. Now am back here at St Patrick’s Parish, Kogarah. I prayed for you and your family there. I praised and thanked God Almighty and the Blessed Mother for everything that transpired.
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The Australian Filipina thanks Fr. Ed for sharing with our readers his memorable experience in Rome during the time of significant event for Catholics around the world, as well as of great interest from the leaders of various countries regardless of their religious beliefs. We wish him continued success in his Ministry in the Catholic Church.