HONG KONG (SE): Father Marcelino Evora Nicasio of the Society of the Divine Word [SVD], fondly known as Father Lino, passed away on May 27 at the age of 76. He led an inspiring and impactful life dedicated to education, pastoral work, and social communications within the Church.
Born on 17 April 1949, in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Father Lino was the third of four brothers, including Father Anselmo Nicasio SVD. His spiritual journey began in 1960 when he entered Christ the King Seminary as a high school student. He pronounced his first vows on 20 June 1968, and was ordained a priest on 21 June 1974, as part of the “Heartfelt 74” ordination class, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Following his ordination, Father Lino served as assistant parish priest at the San Jose Cathedral, Occidental Mindoro, until 1977. His commitment to spiritual education led him to the East Asia Pastoral Institute, where he studied Religious Education.
By 1978, he held the position of assistant coordinator for Catechetics at the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. His quest for knowledge took him to Ball State University, Indiana, USA, where he earned an MA in Speech by 1979.
Returning to the Philippines in 1982, Father Lino became a homiletics professor at the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City. He also served as assistant novice master. From 1987 to 1990 he again went on study leave, this time at Indiana University, where he earned a Doctorate in Speech Communications.
Father Lino was renowned for his engaging homilies, often filled with humour and stories, making him a beloved figure among students and parishioners
From 1991 to 2005, he served in various roles at Tagaytay, including professor, rector, dean, and prefect. He coordinated social communications for the Philippine Central Province during this time. In 2005, he took on the role of principal at Saint Jude Catholic School and in 2011, became assistant parish priest at Sacred Heart Parish in Quezon City. After a renewal course in Italy in 2014, he was appointed parish priest at Saint Jude Parish, Manila, until retirement in 2023.
Teaching speech and homiletics was his lifelong mission, contributing nearly four decades at the Divine Word Seminary and later at the Vincentian Seminary in Quezon City.
Father Lino was renowned for his engaging homilies, often filled with humour and stories, making him a beloved figure among students and parishioners.
Renowned for his distinctive teaching style, he developed a structured approach for effective homilies featuring an engaging introduction, a three-point thematic body, and a memorable conclusion aimed at inspiring action. He emphasised preparation and practice, urging his students to mentally rehearse their speeches.
He is specially remembered for when he was the emcee for 5,700 Filipino priests during the National Congress of the Clergy Convention in January 2010.
Up until his death, Father Lino had been the spiritual director for more than 30 years of the Family Renewal Movement—a Charismatic group based in BF Resort in Las Piñas.
He held a special place in his heart for the Filipino overseas workers in Hong Kong. He specially cherished his pastoral work with the Filipino communities during long holidays, and was a sought-after speaker for retreats and recollections.
He was once one of the Tagalog homilists for the Sunday Examiner, taking turns with Father Emil Lim SVD, the then-Filipino chaplain, over a decade ago.
A memorial Mass for him, as well as another Divine Word missionary Father Helmuth Peter who passed away in May, was celebrated in Hong Kong at the Holy Family parish, Choi Hung, on May 31.
May he rest in peace.
