The unfinished Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Parish and Shrine for the Poor in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Donations to complete the edifice are welcome.
Donors may put deposit in Santuario’s Metrobank account (No. 326-7-32651435-3), or send a check payable to RCBN-Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Parish. Pledges for construction materials are also welcome.
(Call 9268063 or 4543597.)
On Sept. 28, feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Tuguegarao Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan will officiate at 3 p.m. the Mass inaugurating the new cathedral of the Diocese of Ilagan built in Gamu, Isabela.
Fifteen bishops from all over the country have been invited to concelebrate.
During the Mass, the Decree of Pope Francis will be read by Fr. Seamus Horgan, secretary of Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, transferring the episcopal seat from the town center of Ilagan to Barangay Upi, Gamu.
The decree also changes the titular patron saint of the cathedral from St. Ferdinand of Castille to St. Michael the Archangel (although the diocese will remain dedicated to St. Ferdinand). The bishop of Ilagan is the Most Rev. Joseph Nacua, OFM-Capuchin.
Our Lady of Guibang
Gamu is the town of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation. Pilgrims come to the shrine on her fiesta every July 2.
(From Manila, they fly to Cauayan, then drive to Gamu where they pass Guibang. Pilgrims can check in at the Hotel Zicherelli, which offers reasonable rates. Call 0915-2067168.)
For prayers to Our Lady of Guibang, please write me, c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Ave. Makati City. Please enclose a self-addressed -stamped envelope.
‘Peñafrancia’ in Manila
Despite heavy rains last Sunday, 12 women carried the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia perched on an “anda” in a procession from Malate Church to Agripina Circle at the Luneta, where a tent had been set up. There people prayed the Rosary and sang Marian hymns until 4 p.m. when another set of 12 women carried the image to San Agustin Church.
Ed Castelo, vice president of the Peñafrancia Devotees in Metro Manila, told me how everybody got wet, but continued walking for “love of Ina.”
At San Agustin Church, Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera and Bicolano priests welcomed ‘Ina’ and her devotees. Shouting “Viva La Virjen!” and “Viva Divino Rostro,” people in the church waved their handkerchiefs. Then the Comelec Choir, with Chris Añago on the organ, sang “On this Day , O Blessed Mother” in Bicol. It was a tearful moment.
Concelebrants during the Mass were Msgr. Joselito Asis, secretary-general of the CBCP; Fr. Allan Dialogo of the St. John of the Cross Parish in Pembo, Makati; Fr. Joeffrey Eborda of the Prelature of Libmanan; and Fr. Ricky Villar of Baccay, Albay. Fr. Edward Regore read the Gospel.
Santiago de Compostela
Bishop Jesus Cabrera will lead a religious pilgrimage to Europe starting Oct. 14, arranged by Adam’s Travel.
Part of the itinerary is Santiago de Compostela, Oct. 28, in Spain. A most impressive Cathedral stands, housing the tomb of the Apostle St. James.
Since the discovery of his tomb, numerous petitions have been favorably reported here.
Also part of the itinerary are Medjugorje Holy House of Loreto, Padova, Lourdes and Fatima.
(Call 5211651/98 or text Anna at 0917-5514468.)
Our Lady of Mercy
Thanks to Richard Mejia, I became acquainted with the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy or Nuestra Señora de la Merced, patroness of Barcelona, Spain.
At the Holy Trinity Parish in Barrio San Nicolas de Tolentino in Bacoor, Cavite, is enthroned the beautiful image of Our Lady bearing this title. Local folk call her “Nana Cedes,” and Richard has always been devoted to her since he was a young boy. I myself prayed to her during one fiesta and my prayer was answered.
On Sept. 24, 6 p.m., the parish priest, Fr. Totie Bermudez, will celebrate the Mass. I encourage Marian devotees to come and pray to her.
Latin Mass
Fr. Tim Ofrasio will say the Tridentine Rite or Latin Mass on Sept. 28, at the Christ the King Church in Green Meadows.
People’s Ward
The Felicidad Sy Ward, dubbed “People’s Ward,” was inaugurated recently at the Tondo Medical Center by Health Undersecretary David Lozada and SM Foundation executive director Debbie P. Sy.
The newly renovated and refurbished wing of the 200-bed hospital in Balut, Tondo, operated by the Department of Health, is the first Felicidad Sy Wellness Center to have a Family Health Care Center.