For the 450th anniversary of the Kaplag, the finding of the Santo Niño de Jesus of Cebu by the Legazpi expedition of 1565, novena Masses will be celebrated by top prelates and religious, according to Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, of the Basilica Minore de Santo Niño in Cebu City.

Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, will say the novena Mass on April 26, while Fr. Anthony Banks, OSA, assistant general for the Asia-Pacific of the Augustinian curia in Rome, will celebrate the Kaplag fiesta Mass at 8 a.m. on April 28.

Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma will lead the pontifical Mass on April 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Father Rentoria said there will be two novena Masses each day starting April 19, one at 8 a.m. and the other at 5:30 p.m.

The celebrators: Fr. Eduardo Rocha, SVD, provincial of the Philippine Southern Province of the Society of the Divine Word, and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan (April 19); Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio and Fr. Tarcisio Bertone, OSB,  prior provincial of the Order of St. Benedict (April 20); Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, O. Carm., commissary general of the Order of Carmelites, and Dumaguete Bishop Julito B. Cortes (April 21); Fr. Godofredo Atienza, SDB, provincial superior of the Salesians  of Don Bosco, and Palo Archbishop John F. Du (April 22); Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, prior provincial of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, and Bayombong Bishop Ramon B. Villena (April 23); Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, prior provincial of the Order of Preachers, and Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos (April 24); Fr. Manuel Uy of the Society of Jesus and Surigao Bishop Antonieto D. Cabajog (April 25); Fr. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM, minister provincial of the Order of Franciscans Minor, and Archbishop Marini of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses (April 26); and Fr.  Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu, and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (April 27).

All of the novena Masses will be held at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore de Cebu.

Franciscans hold Lenten recollection

The Inter-Franciscan Ministers’ Conference of the Philippines (IFMCP) sponsored a Lenten recollection in the San Damiano Spirituality Center of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Tagaytay City overlooking Taal Lake last  March 14, with the topic “Franciscan Contemplation: Mirroring the Mercy and Compassion of Christ.”

Around 250 sisters, brothers and priests from the Franciscan groups, mostly from Luzon, attended. The Mass was led by Fr. Greg Redoblado, OFM, IFMCP president.

Lively, enriching and provocative talks were given by Fr. Tony M. Rosales, OFM, former parish priest of Forbes Park and now religious assistant to the Madre Jeronima Federation of Poor Clare Monasteries in the Philippines.

Fr. Chupungco book launched March 23

“As we draw more deeply into the heart of this season of Lent, we have been given a means to observe in a more meaningful manner the coming days with the launching of the book, ‘Holy Week and the Eastern Triduum,’ by the late Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB, with photographs by Noli I. Yamsuan Jr.”

This was announced by Fr. Genaro O. Diwa, chair of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, Manila, which published the book.

The book’s publication was inspired by two beloved persons, Cardinal Gaudencio B.  Rosales, archbishop emeritus of Manila, and  Father Chupungco, the most outstanding Filipino liturgist of our time, said Father Diwa.

The photographs are of Cardinal Rosales, or “Cardinal Dency,”  taken by Yamsuan as he presided over Holy Week services at the Cathedral. The photos were taken beginning on Palm Sunday and ending with the Easter Vigil.

Father Chupungco, upon seeing the photos, was inspired to put captions on them and encouraged their publication into a “small coffee table” book, more as a keepsake than a volume, said Father Diwa. “Sadly his passing away overtook its publication. But now the book is here.”

The book will be launched Monday, March 23,  beginning with vespers at 4:30 p.m., at the Chapel of the Arzobispado de Manila in Intramuros, Manila.  Cardinal Rosales will be the guest of honor.

The books will be sold at a discounted price during the  launching.

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