REV. Fr. Renato Bebit joined our Creator last July 18, 2020, after 15 years of battling with "progeria," a genetic disorder characterized by rapid aging.
Fr. Nato was my classmate at Sacred Heart Seminary. He was our senior. He had already finished a degree in college when he entered the seminary. He was the big brother to all of us. While we were enjoying our teenage years in the seminary, Fr. Nato, or whom we lovingly called "Bebit" would tell us lessons from life. He was the most mature among all of us. He would get angry when the younger ones in the group would do something childish. He was the most serious in class. He took up Philosophy with passion.
Our second to the youngest in the class was his buddy, Mr. Joey Salvarino. Joey stood side by side with Fr. Nato until his last breath. Joey was joyfully serving Fr. Nato while he was sick. Joey was like a loving kid brother who helped without any recompense. Among the 29 of us in the class, only Joey unceasingly helped Fr. Nato while he was sick. He took care of him at Domus Dei and when hospitalized, Joey would still be with him.
In June of 1986, there were 29 of us in the preparatory year at Sacred Heart Seminary with all the passion of becoming priests. Rev. Fr. Dimitri Gatia was our Father Rector then. As the years went by, we were being trimmed down and those who felt that they were called to the other side of the road had to take the crossing and follow another path while those who are called continued the narrow road to priesthood. Fr. Nato was one of those who was consistent in answering the call of God.
One time I had a chance to visit him at Domus, then at Lupit compound. There I saw Fr. Nato already bedridden but he could still talk at that time. He prayed for me and my wife and he blessed us. Soon, he was transferred to Domus Dei in Silay. I had another chance of visiting him with our other classmates, Jarde Cajilig, Ray Anthony Zuniga, Niel Lachica, and our BS Psychology classmates from UNO-R. I remembered he was very happy, especially when Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, DD, our professor, paid him a visit. It was like a reunion. He wrote on the whiteboard that we need to pray for him to get well, so he could say mass for all of us. I could see tears from his eyes as we bid him farewell. That was the last time I saw him personally.
Last December 2, 2019, Fr. Reman Cornel, Fr. Jojie Ansula, and Fr. Nato celebrated their 23rd year as priests. They were joined by our classmates Norman Grecia, Fuji Cabrillos, Jeany Gallenero, Andres Garong, Joey, and Ray. It was a realization of a dream, where Fr. Nato concelebrated a mass with some of his friends and classmates. Unfortunately, I was not there as I had flu at that time. It was among the memorable events in the life of Fr. Nato Bebit.
July 19, 2020, Ray texted me that Fr. Nato left us and join his Creator in heaven. Fr. Bebit, this is now the realization of your dream to be in the banquet of the Lord. Pray for our healing. Your beautiful suffering for the past 15 years had brought joy and hope to all of us. Thank you.
Eternal rest grant unto your servant, Fr. Renato Bebit, O Lord. Let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.