KAPLAG, the Cebu fiesta that celebrates the finding in 1565 by the Legazpi expedition of the Santo Nino de Jesus image given to the first Filipino Christians by the Magellan expedition of 1621, will open its momentous 450th anniversary celebration on April 18 at 7 a.m. with the “traslacion” (transfer procession) of the image from the Basilica Minore de Santo Nino de Cebu to the Redemptorist Church.

This was revealed by Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and executive director of the Kaplag organizing committee.

Before the procession, there will be a penintential walk and the Kaplag Fun Run, Fr. Rentoria said.

Kaplag is one of the important activities marking the fifth centenary of Christianity in the Philippines. This year likewise marks the milestone 450th anniversary of the arrival of the Augustinians, the first missionaries in the Philippines.

Easter reflection

Here’s the Easter Sunday reflection, “Shaking the Dust,” of Fr. Gerard Timoner III, OP, the prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province and recently appointed by Pope Francis to the International Theological Commission:

“The Paschal Triduum begins with the Lord’s Supper that includes the ritual ‘washing of the feet,’ an obvious gesture of Christ’s loving and humble service. But we could look at the ‘washing’ vis-à-vis the apostolic admonitions to “travel light” and “shake from one’s feet the dust of rejection” (Matt. 10:14).

“The Apostles might have found it difficult to shake off some ‘toxic memories’ that might contaminate the Good News of the Resurrection, so Jesus took it upon himself to cleanse their feet from all of this ‘dust.’

“When we find it utterly difficult to forgive, to be reconciled or to let go of a painful memory, then we ask Jesus to wash our feet as well. Failure to ‘shake the dust’ off our feet could lead us living lives described by Pope Francis as ‘Lent without Easter.’

“As we renew our baptismal promises on Easter Sunday, we are blessed with Holy Water, symbol of the washing away of sin in baptism. Easter is about the washing away of sin, guilt and ‘toxic memories’ that hinder us from becoming joyful and credible bearers of the Gospel.

“Only then could we understand why Isaiah praises the ‘feet’ of those who bring glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’ (Isaiah 52:7).”

Vocation seminar

The Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Seminary (SHMI) holding a “search-in” or vocation seminar on April 6-10.

The search-in is a five-day orientation for young men, 16-25 years old, high school graduates at least, who may want to consider a career in the priesthood or religious life.

Seminar is free.

SHMI was founded by Venerable Joseph Frassinetti (1804-1868) of Genoa, Italy. Aside from being extremely zealous in his parish ministry, Fr. Frassinetti also founded associations for teaching catechism, for the education of the youth, and especially for the spiritual and cultural formation of seminarians and priests.

In 1861, Fr. Frassinetti instituted in his parish rectory in Santa Sabina, Genoa, the “Pious Union of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate,” whose members were lay men consecrated to the Lord but living and working in the world. Their chief apostolate was supporting vocations for the priesthood in their spiritual and material needs. The group later became a full-size religious community. In 1868, Frassinetti died and Fr. Antonio Piccardo took over the direction of the Pious Union.

On May 14, 1991, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints recognized the heroic virtues of Frassinetti and declared him Venerable, the next step to beatification.

Those who would like to inquire about the search-in may contact the Fr. Joseph Frassinetti Seminary, 30 Md. Isabella de Rosis Street, Multinational Village, Parañaque City.

Call 8289509; e-mail [email protected]; visit www.facebook.com/sonsmaryphil, www.facebook.com/ padrefrassinetti.ph.

Marriage seminar

The Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community is inviting married couples to attend Marriage Encounter Weekend Seminar on April 10-15 at BLD Covenant House in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Call 5325459, 0917-7941409, 0917-5835907; e-mail announcements to [email protected] or [email protected].