Today, first Sunday of December, will see Marian devotees flocking to Intramuros for the 34th annual grand Marian procession starting at 4 p.m. Organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion headed by Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco, with the Intramuros Administration, this year’s procession will gather at least 90 Marian images.
Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat is being brought all the way from Piat, Cagayan Valley, by the family of Amy Callueng. The Cofradia of Our Lady of Namacpacan will bring the image from Luna, La Union. Zenaida Zicharelli of Gamu, Isabela, will drive seven hours from Guibang to Manila bringing the image of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang.
Other venerated images joining the procession are the Buen Suceso from La Huerta, Parañaque; Dolores de Turumba from Pakil, Laguna; La Salette from Silang, Cavite; Mediatrix of All Graces from Lipa, Batangas; Santo Rosario from Manaoag, Pangasinan; Peñafrancia of Bicol; Soledad de Porta Vaga from Cavite City; and La Naval de Manila.
‘Hermanas Mayores 20l3’
The Holy Mass of the “Hermanas Mayores 2013” (Mita Rufino, Maritess Pineda and Fe Esperanza Rodriguez) will take place at 2 p.m. today at San Agustin Church.
At 4 p.m., the different images will be brought in front of the Manila Cathedral in a procession led by the military bands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Tuguegarao Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamyan will say the opening prayer.
First image will be that of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron of Manila. Then St. Joseph and the Immaculate Conception will follow.
Mary, Cause of Our Joy Seminary
Fr. Jesus Bala, rector of the Mary, Cause of Our Joy College Seminary, wrote to tell us about their dream to be able to build a college seminary in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
“In the 90s, many were ordained to the priesthood and most of them came from outside the minor seminary,” he wrote.
It was under Bishop Sergio L. Utleg when the college seminary plan took off in 2011.
Vocation director was Fr. Rey Magus Respicio. Fr. Lloyd Vincent Sumngat was spiritual director.
The first 10 college seminarians who passed the entrance exams were Damaso Argel II, Darylle James Avila, Romer John Bacud, Leoj Jelfemar Dizor, Danny Dugay, Stephen Guzon, Rolex Natividad, Harvey Vic Naval, Nathaniel Padamada and John Emmanuel Palima.
When Utleg was made the new archbishop of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, the seminary was continued by Msgr. Noel Ian G. Rabago, the diocesan administrator, and Father Bala.
On its second year, 21 AB Philosophy students are undergoing formation. The administration is composed of Father Bala, rector and procurator; Fr. Joel Barut, prefect of discipline; and Fr. Jose Peralta, spiritual director.
The new bishop is Msgr. Renato Mayugba. The seminary is designed by the architectural firm of Felino Palafox Jr.
Please help
The Diocese of Laoag is asking for help. Donations can be deposited in Metrobank (Gen. Segundo Ave. branch) account number 528-7-52801623-1; account name: Roman Catholic Bishop of Laoag Inc.
Donations from abroad can be deposited in Metrobank (Gen. Segundo Ave. branch) account number 528-2-52800598-0; account name: Roman Catholic Bishop of Laoag Inc., with a swift code MBTCPHMM and routing number 026002846.
Adam’s Travel helps
‘Yolanda’ victims
Adam’s Travel staffers recited the rosary for the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” They also donated relief goods.
Ten Masses were arranged at the Ermita Church. The employees donated a percentage of their salaries and agreed to forgo the traditional Christmas party so the savings could go to the typhoon victims.
Adam’s Travel will also give a percentage of the earnings of two package tours to the victims, said its president, Mamerto Banatin.
This is good for sales up to Jan. 31, 2014.