CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma has called for more support for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), which Cebu is hosting on Jan. 24-31 next year.

The Cebu prelate said he hoped that more delegates from around the globe would join the IEC.

At a press briefing at the Arzobispado de Manila on Dec. 14, Palma urged priests to find more ways to shoulder the participation of poor delegates.

“We encouraged the parish priests of Cebu to sponsor the participation of the poor parishioners,” he said. “The congress is not only for those who can pay. This is for everyone.”

Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto echoed the sentiments of Palma by giving a challenge to all Filipinos to bring the Eucharist who is Christ “[to those] living alongside the people in the peripheries”.

“In the pilgrimage of Cebu, you take the Gospel with you and reflect on St. John’s Gospel [passage] on the bread of life. And nothing more,” said Pinto.

Pinto said he was conveying the “prayer and closeness of the Holy Father, Pope Francis” to the Filipino people.

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo said 8,500 had registered from 71 countries. He added more would be registering in the next few days.

Caritas Manila donation

Singer-actress Denise Laurel donated half of her P 2-million cash prize from a reality-TV celebrity audition program to Caritas Manila.

Radio Veritas reported that Laurel made the donation since Caritas Manila is her family’s favorite charitable institution.

Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, the charity arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, thanked Laurel and said the money would help subsidize the studies of 5,000 scholars all over the country under Caritas Manila’s Youth Education Program.

Tridentine Mass at Calayan

The Latin Mass is being celebrated every week in the Calayan islands of the Babuyanes, according to Fr. Rudolf Steven N. Seño, OP.

“Heeding the decrees of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, the Latin Mass is now celebrated in Calayan Island at least once a week,” he reported.

“Besides Latin, Filipino [Tagalog], Ilocano [especially in the barrios], and English [Sunday] masses are regularly celebrated every week. This is in view of allowing the parishioners to experience the wealth of the diverse languages of the liturgy,” the Dominican priest added.

In Metro Manila, the Latin Missa Cantata is being celebrated every second Sunday of the month at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.

Marian visitation

Meanwhile, at the same church, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila is facilitating Marian visitations.

According to shrine rector Fr. Rolando Mactal, OP, the Marian visitations consist of bringing an image of La Naval to different places in Quezon City.

This is an initiative to promote Marian devotion among people from all walks of life.

Aside from this, a Perpetual Rosary Novena in honor of La Naval is held every Saturday, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Mass at 6 p.m., at the historic Santo Domingo Church.

Free prayer cards

For readers who would like to receive free prayer cards, write to “Miss Josephine Darang c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.” Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for easier mailing.

E-mail announcements to [email protected] or noel [email protected].