The images of San Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia, patroness of Bicol, have been approved by the Vatican to be placed in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Barely a year since the canonization of Calungsod on Oct. 21 through the efforts of Ambassador Mercedes A. Tuason, Philippine ambassador to the Holy See, and Cebu Cardinal Emeritus Ricardo Vidal, the image of the new saint in mosaic will be installed in the crypt next to the tomb of Pope Paul VI.
Mosaic image
The installation of the images is an honor for the Philippine Church. The Studio del Mosaico, Fabrica di San Pietro is working on the image of Calungsod. Some 600 different tones, shades and tints will be used to complete the work.
It has been said that, “if an image is worth a thousand words, an image in mosaic is worth a million.” San Pedro is depicted as a young man wearing a camisa de chino, with a martyr’s palm pressed to his chest and carrying the Doctrina Christiana.
Unveiling of the image is scheduled before the end of the Year of the Faith this November. The image of Peñafrancia will be either mosaic or bronze.
St. Philomena feast
“St. Philomena, Daughter of Light, Our Beacon of Faith in God Who Is the Light of the World” is the theme of this year’s fiesta of the saint.
Fr. Clod V. Bagabaldo, parish priest of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Masambong, Quezon City, and Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena are inviting everyone to attend the Novena from Aug. 2 to 10, 6 p.m., and Mass at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The fiesta is on Aug. 11. Celebrants are Bishops Joseph Nacua of Ilagan, Camillo Gregorio of Batanes, Florentino Cinense of Tarlac, Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig, Precioso Cantillas of Maasin (Leyte), Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued, Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. (Emeritus) of Kalookan, Filomeno Bactol of Naval (Leyte) and Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus on Aug. 2-10, respectively.
Fiesta Masses
On Aug. 11, there will be Masses at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Celebrants are Msgr. Sabino Vengco Jr.; Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP; Fr. Orlando C. Aceron, OP; and Fr. Michell Joe B. Zerrudo, respectively. There will be a solemn procession at 3 p.m.
Highlight of the feast is the 12 noon Mass by Nueva Caceres (Naga) Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona.
There will be anointing of the Holy Oil and veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Philomena after each Mass.
Fathers Aceron and Zerrudo are spiritual directors of Universal Living Rosary Association of St. Philomena with address 430 Mayon St., Quezon City (for details, text 0918-5470605 or call landline 3651011).
Buen Suceso fiesta
This year the feast of Our Lady of Buen Suceso or Our Lady of Good Events falls on Aug. 10 and Novena Masses are held at Cathedral of St. Andrew in La Huerta, Parañaque, on Aug. 1-9, 5:30 p.m., followed by Holy Mass at 6 p.m.
The parish priest is Fr. Rolly Agustin. Fiesta Masses on Aug. 10 are at 5:30, 7, 8:30 and 10 a.m.; 12 noon and 3 p.m. There will be a Misa Cantada at 6 p.m. with Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado as main celebrant.
At 4:30 p.m., there will be the Procession Grande with singing/serenade of the “Gozos” at Sta. Monica Chapel.
Queen of Quiapo
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whom parish priest Fr. Rommel Rubia calls “Queen of Quiapo,” had an awesome celebration of her feast last July 16.
Despite the rains, the Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, where the image of Del Carmen is enthroned, was full of devotees.
The ladies dressed in Filipiniana danced during the processional, carrying with them the giant scapulars of Virgen del Carmen.
The processional was led by 30 priests, mostly Augustinian Recollects. Main celebrant was Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David.
For the fiesta, the image of the Virgin was restored by Tom Joven. Jerome de Jesus did her vestments.
Happy and honored to be hermanos mayores were Ambassador Mercy Tuason and businessman Jorge Allan Tengco.
In his homily, Bishop David said he was honored to have been asked to celebrate the Mass for Del Carmen.
Damas de Magdalena
According to Shalimar Alcantara-Angeles, vice president of Damas de Magdalena (Ladies of Magdalene), there was a reason why my friend Ali Rich Garcia and I were able to travel to Kawit, Cavite, aboard the Dollar taxi driven by Rey Echavez to attend the fiesta Mass at 9:30 a.m.
So there we were seated in front of the altar of the saint on the left wall near the altar of the ancient church. She even warned us to be careful what we ask for, because when St. Mary Magdalene answers our prayers, there is no turning back. I remember that the prayer of Ali was answered when we went years back when Mila Que was hermana mayor.
Unlike in previous years, the altar of the saint was fabulously decorated with white lilies and white anthuriums. The new vestment of St. Mary Magdalene was made by Michael Riego. The Damas de Magdalena helped set up the altar and, according to Shalimar, they are always there to take care of her, especially during novena and fiesta Masses.
Pure and holy love
According to Bishop Rey Evangelista, who celebrated the Mass with 24 other priests, we should imitate St. Mary Magdalene in her love for Jesus which is pure, authentic and holy, “because if we love Jesus with a holy love, we would also become holy.”