Monday is the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint.

 

It is not too well-known that Sept. 28 is the feast not only of San Lorenzo Ruiz but also of his “Companion-Martyrs,” or those who were martyred along with him during the Tokugawa Shogunate in 17th-century Japan: Saints Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo Courtet, Miguel de Aozaraza and Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz (all of them Dominican friar-priests); and the lay leper, Saint Lázaro of Kyoto. Since these Spanish friars came from Manila and had worked in the Philippine missions, they are also venerated as “Philippine saints.”

 

The highly dramatic life of San Lorenzo Ruiz is tackled in the popular 1979 book, “Lorenzo Ruiz, the Protomartyr of the Philippines and His Companions,” by the Very Rev. Fr. Fidel Villarroel, OP, the much-respected historian who wrote the “positio” or position paper to back up the cause for the canonization of the martyrs of Japan.

 

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and Companion Martyrs were beatified by Pope, now Saint, John Paul II, in 1981 in Manila in the first beatification outside of Rome in history. The same pope canonized them in 1987.

 

Siena rosary crusade

 

The Siena College Family Rosary Crusade (SCFRC) on its 48th year promotes the annual devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. This year’s theme, Sambayanang Siena, Kaisa ng Maralita Tungo sa Panginoon Kasama ni Inang Maria, is in line with the proclamation of Pope Francis of 2015 as “Year of the Poor.”

 

SCFRC invites everyone to join the novena of prayers and Masses which will be held at Siena College Chapel. There will be two novena/Masses Sept. 30-Oct. 8: one at 7:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m.

 

SCFRC will culminate in a grand procession on Oct. 9, 4 p.m.

 

Inapoon Bato

 

Sonia Atabug of the San Lorenzo Ruiz and Inapoon Bata Global Ministries continues her account of the late Rosellyn Magsaysay and how she propagated the Marian devotion to Inapoon Bato:

 

“Even during her illness, several significant events related to Ina took place which she initiated and personally handled.

 

“On Jan. 23, 2013, the day prior to Ina’s feast day, Inapoon Bato was canonically crowned by Bishop Florentino Lavarias of Iba, Zambales.

 

“It was held in Inapoon Bato Shrine at Loob-Bunga, resettlement site in Botolan which used to be made of cogon, now fully repaired made of stone and adobe.

 

“The coronation held in celebration of the Year of Faith, was attended by almost a thousand devotees from Zambales and other places, including from Metro Manila.”

 

“Just two years ago, the Ina was re-enthroned at the newly rehabilitated Manila Cathedral and was likewise enthroned at San Jose del Monte Church in Bulacan.

 

“Rosellyn likewise led yearly, until her death last year, the grand Marian procession in Intramuros, Manila. The Aetas of Botolan are now familiar figures who carry the life-size Ina statue and lead the devotees during the procession.

 

“This author (Atabug) was with her when she made a tour of her hometown in Kabadbaran and other places in Agusan del Norte and visited the different churches, shrines and private homes where Ina was enthroned.”

 

Breastfeeding Madonna

 

Reader Remedios Ticson Gonzales has been promoting the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche since 1999 and the center of the devotion is in the chapel of Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila. Gonzales writes:

 

“Our Lady of La Leche, or Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto in Spanish (Our Lady of Milk and Safe Delivery), is the title of the Blessed Mother who is depicted breastfeeding the Infant Jesus. It has been an inspiration ever since the miracle of Bethlehem where the so-called Milk Grotto is located.

 

“In Europe, particularly in Spain where the devotion originated in the 16th century, women dedicated themselves to the nursing Mother of Jesus.

 

“In the chapel of Harrison Plaza Mall on M. Adriatico Street, Manila, La Leche feast day is celebrated yearly on Oct. 11. Novena leaflets are available for free at the chapel office.”

 

Visit Facebook (Our Lady of La Leche Movement Ph); tel. 9757415.

 

New book by Franciscan

 

In response to Pope Francis’ call to action for the environment in his encyclical “Laudato Si,” Fr. Tony Rosales, OFM, former parish priest of Forbes Park, will launch his ninth book, “Mother Earth (Allegories, Reflections and Celebrations),” on Oct. 4, feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, at Christ the King College, Calbayog City, Samar.

 

Now based in Cebu, Rosales is visiting lecturer on moral theology at St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute in Davao City.

 

For orders or consignment, e-mail [email protected]; tel. 0906-4899196.

 

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