Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija has received a spiritual blessing: the enthronement of the replica icon of the Holy Face of Jesus of Manopello in the small town’s Immaculate Conception Church on Sept. 16.

 

Leading the enthronement were San Jose Bishop Roberto Mallari, Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinenze and Pampanga Archbishop Florentino Lavarias. Parish priest in Fr. Christian Magtalas.

 

The Gallego Family of Alzate town helped obtain the icon. Domingo Tolentino told me that St. Therese of the Child Jesus was a devotee of the Holy Face of Jesus. He is in charge of changing the vestment of the saint and arranges her flowers on her feast day.

 

Meanwhile last Oct. 5, the town of Ramos, Tarlac celebrated her feast. The parish is run by the Sons of Christ (SRC) order.

 

Our Lady of the Pillar fiesta

 

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar.   According of Fr. Allan Valero, the clergy and community of the Diocese of Imus last Friday celebrated the Mass led by Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista of Imus in honor of La Pilar, Patroness and Queen of Cavite. On that same day was the Wession of images and ikons of Nana Pilar.

 

On Oct. 11, the Youth Ministry of the Parish held its Palarong Pambataat Tanzang Luma, Imus. Today, the feast day, Oct. 12, Masses will be held at 5, 6:30, 8 and 9:30 a.m., and at 4 and 5:30 p.m., after which the traditional procession will begin. Today is also the feast of Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness of Brazil and of pregnant women.

 

Also today, devotees of Our Lady of the Rosary/ La Naval de Manila in Santo Domingo Church will hold the grand procession starting 4 p.m. In the procession are images of Our Lady’s throne of Dominican saints.

 

One of the Dominicans leading the procession will be Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, OP, the prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province, who was appointed by Pope Francis to a five-year term as member of the International Theological Commission, which advises the Pope on doctrinal matters.

 

Blessed Alvaro del Portillo and the miracle baby

 

Eleven-year-old Jose Ignacio Ureta Wilson sat in silence in the front row as Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, declared Alvaro del Portillo “Blessed” in solemn beatification rites held at the sprawling Valdebebas Park in Madrid at midday on Sept. 27.

 

When he was born in 2003, the Chilean boy had serious complications and suffered a massive hemorrhage. His heart stopped and the doctors applied all the means for over half an hour. His parents were praying unceasingly for his recovery through the intercession of Bishop Del Portillo. When the doctors judged that there was no more hope for revival, the baby’s heart started beating; the beating was sustained at 130 beats per minute. Jose Ignacio has lived a normal life since then.

 

“We concede that the Venerable Servant of God Bishop Alvaro del Portillo y Diez de Sollano, Prelate of the Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei, a pastor according to the heart of Christ and a zealous minister of the Church, from this hour may be called Blessed,” Cardinal Amato read in Latin from the beatification rite.

 

Carrying the relic

 

It was then Jose Ignacio Ureta’s privileged moment. With his parents Susana and Javier, he brought the relic, the blood of Blessed Alvaro encased in a golden reliquary, to the altar. It was the most moving moment of the ceremony.

 

Cardinal Amato, the papal delegate for the ceremony, presided over the Beatification Mass. Concelebrating with him were Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop emeritus of Madrid; and Bishop Javier Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei.

 

Other concelebrants were 18 cardinals, 160 bishops, practically the entire Spanish episcopate, and 300 priests from 34 countries. There were five bishops from the Philippines: Msgrs. Paciano Aniceto (Pampanga), Ramon Arguelles (Batangas), Florentino Cinense (Tarlac), Antonio Ledesma (Cagayan de Oro), and Jesse Mercado (Parañaque).

 

Kristong Hari Parish, Novaliches

 

Kristong Hari Parish in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, is embarking on the construction of its diocesan shrine for the youth. The project includes a 2000-seater church, 1,000-seater multipurpose hall, a reliquary, a youth center. Bishop Antonio R. Tobias, has envisioned it to be a landmark Catholic church in the Diocese of Novaliches.

 

To spiritually prepare the faithful, the parish has organized Banal na Pagahahanda 2014. This event is highlighted by the visits of the national pilgrim images of the following: Divine Mercy, Oct. 2-6; San Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Oct. 16-20; and Poong Itim na Nazareno ng Quiapo, Nov. 6-10. There will be Masses, vigils and processions during the visits.

 

Call parish priest Fr. Roland P. Jaluag at 4278367 or 0917-8322630; e-mail [email protected].