The Holy Face of Manoppello, said to be the Veil of Veronica that was used to wipe the face of Christ on the way to Golgotha, will tour the Philippines Sept. 10-17.

The relic will be brought to Manila by Fr. Carmine Cucinelli, Franciscan Capuchin, rector of the Basilica in Abruzzo, Italy, where the Holy Face of Manoppello is enshrined.

Those who arranged for the visit are Lelani Alzate, Ambassador Odelia Arroyo of the Order of Malta, and Cherry Pie Villongco.

Schedule of activities:

Sept. 10, Holy Mass at 6:15 p.m., Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park;

Sept. 11, Holy Face featured in Marian pilgrimage activities in Lipa City, Batangas, 10 a.m. to 3 pm.; 6 p.m., Holy Mass at Montemaria Shrine, Batangas City;.

Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holy Face to return to Lipa for more Marian activities;

Sept. 13, 12:15 p.m., Holy Mass at the Edsa Shrine (Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church); 4 p.m,. relic to be brought to the Holy Face of Jesus Chapel at 1111 R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila, with talk by Fr. Cucinelli, followed by Holy Mass and vigil;

Sept. 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Vigil at National Sacred Heart Shrine, Sacred Heart and Kamagong Streets, Makati City;

Sept. 15, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Vigil at Our Lady of the Abandoned Church on Pedro Gil Street in Santa Ana, Manila, with Holy Mass at 11 a.m.

Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija;

Sept. 17, 6:15 a.m., Farewell Mass at Santuario de San Antonio.

Call 0917-8901258.

Arma Christi exhibit

On Sept. 14 the Church will celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross. This is to remember the triumph brought upon humanity by the life-giving wood of Christ.

On this special day, the Holy Mary Immaculate Parish will be visited by the Arma Christi relics. The reliquary was solicited by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias from Rome in 2011.

The reliquary used to be enshrined in a church in Rome but was entrusted to the Work of the Saints Apostolate. The reliquary contains the different instruments of the Passion of Christ (Nail, Thorns, Column of Flagellation) and the bones and relics of 56 saints.

The public exposition will be held at the Holy Mary Immaculate Parish on Don Lauro Avenue, Levitown Estate, Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco, Paranaque City, Sep. 12-14.

Those who will venerate the relics will obtain the apostolic blessing from Pope Francis transmitted by the papal nuncio.

Call 7767855.

Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard celebrated its 30th anniversary last Aug. 20 with an intimate gathering at the house of Nena Prieto. Special guest was Ambassador to the Vatican Mercy Tuason. Thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Anton Pascual of Caritas Manila and Msgr. Bong Lo, spiritual director of the group.

This organization of women dedicated to the service of the poor was founded in 1984 by Cecile J. Oppen, Frida Tueres and Mila Gomez under the guidance of Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco and with the approval of Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Martha’s Vineyard has expanded its work and linked up with Caritas Manila. This month it will provide catechism to poor children at the San Agustin Church.

During the anniversary, the new officers were inducted: Nena Prieto, Linda V . Lopez, Ging Teehankee, Sylvia Ibazeta, Ludy Carriedo, Naty Golez, Jo Guevarra, Evelyn Azcona and Julie Borromeo.

Peñafrancia fiesta

The feast of “Ina” falls on the third Saturday of September (Sept. 20 this year ). It will open nine days before with the “traslacion de Penafrancia” from the Basilica of Our Lady of Peñfrancia to the Naga Cathedral where the Novena of Masses will be carried out. Then on the ninth day, the Virgin is Carried in a pagoda through the Naga River back to the Basilica,

Pure love of the Blessed Virgin Mother has made Penafrancia devotees keep up their yearly panata or vow. Tens of thousands from all over Bicol and in fact from all over the Philippines are expected to flock to Naga for the annual fiesta.

Peñafrancia in Malate

In Metro Manila, Triduun of Masses for the Penafrancia will be held Sept. 11-13, 6 p.m., at Malate Church. Novena will be prayed.

On Sept. 14, the fiesta Mass will be led by Fr. Leonito Distor, MSSC, parish priest of Remedios Church.

The Peñafrancia procession in Malate will start at 2:30 p.m. along Roxas Boulevard. It will have a stop at the Agripina Circle for veneration of the image

Then the procession will continue at 4:30 p.m. to the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-

Immaculate Conception Basilica, with female devotees and volunteers taking turns in carrying the image of Ina.

At 6 p.m. the Concelebrated Mass will be led by Bishop Manolo de los Santos of Virac, Catanduanes.

Call 5315177, 5318797, 5326334 or 5319430; e-mail [email protected], [email protected].

In Los Angeles, California, the Virgen de los Remedios will be enthroned today at the Cathedral of the Angels to celebrate the anniversary of her canonical coronation.

Remembrance Mass, ‘Ina’

Father. Jojo Zerrudo will celebrate the Mass of Remembrance on Sept. 8, 11:15 a.m., at the lower level of Manila Cathedral.

This month’s friend of the Holy Souls is Blessed Frederic Ozaman, apologist for the Christian faith.

Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara will bless the grotto of “Ina Poongbato ” on Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m., the garden of the Pasig Cathedral. Devotees are invited.