This afternoon at 5:30, the eighth-day Novena Mass in connection with the 450th anniversary of the “Kaplag,” the finding of the Santo Niño de Jesus image by the Legazpi expedition in 1565, will be celebrated by a Vatican official, Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.
Novena Masses are held at the Pilgrim Center across the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Jesus in Cebu City.
The ninth and final Novena Masses will be celebrated tomorrow by Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu, at 9 a.m.; and by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at 6:30 p.m.
Fiesta proper will be on Tuesday, April 28.
The Kaplag fiesta Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. by Fr. Anthony Banks, OSA, assistant general for Asia-Pacific of the Order of Saint Augustine based in the Vatican.
The grand procession will be at 3 p.m.
The Pontifical Mass at 5:30 p.m. will be presided by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma.
International confab
Meanwhile, today is the second day of the three-day International Kaplag Conference at Radisson Blu. The confab discusses the history, heritage and legacy of the Augustinians, the first missionary order in the Philippines.
Speakers include Chair Serena Diokno of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; Chair Felipe de Leon Jr. of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.; Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, head of the NCCA Subcommission on Cultural Heritage; Fr. Luis Marín de San Martín, OSA; Fr. Fernando Martínez Rojo, OSA; Fr. Emilio Edgardo Quilatan, OAR; Sr. Ma. Luz Mijares, ASOLC; Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, OSA; Professor Regalado Trota Jose Jr. of the University of Santo Tomas; Fr. Arnel Antonio Dizon, OSA; and Professor Resil Mojares of the University of San Carlos.
Preaching confab in Iloilo
The Institute of Preaching of the Philippine Dominican Province (PDP) is holding up to today “Praedicare: Conference on Preaching 2015” at the Holy Rosary Prayer and Reflection Center in Molo, Iloilo City.
Speakers include Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and PDP prior provincial Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner, OP, who is a member of the International Theological Commission that advises Pope Francis.
Meanwhile, this week will mark the feasts of two of the greatest Dominican saints: St. Catherine of Siena, patroness of Italy and one of only five women doctors of the Church (April 29); and St. Pius V, one of only six popes of the second millennium to be canonized (April 30).
Sacred art exhibit at GSIS
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will open the “Philippine Sacred Art” exhibit at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Museum on April 29.
Special guests will include GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara; National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chair Felipe de Leon Jr.; Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara Jr.; Tourism Promotions Board chief Domingo Enerio III; Marixi R. Prieto, chair of the Inquirer; Albert Villarosa, president and CEO of Security Bank; Bernard Vincent Dy, president and CEO, Ayala Land Inc.; Lito Cruz, president of IBC TV; and former Ambassadors to the Holy See Henrietta de Villa and Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.
The exhibit is organized by Great Nation Philippines Inc. headed by Victor Luis de la Rosa Cusi, Intramuros Visual Artists Philippines and GSIS Museum. Project director is Gerardo Isada, and curator is Albert Magsumbol.
Top artists participating in the exhibit are Nemesio Miranda, Rafael Pacheco, Al Perez, Cee Cadid, Pancho Piano, Jonahmar Salvosa, Ton Raymundo, Magsumbol, Mario Panis, Danny Santiago, Willy Layug and Rudolf Gonzalez.
Exhibit will run till May 22.
E-mail announcements to lzulueta@inquirer.com.ph or noelmogate11@gmail.com.