THE LATE Bro. Ben P. Canlas (right), founder and president of ABC Promotions Inc., shown here with marketing assistant Les San Luis, chief executive officer Meng R. Canlas, and then Imus Bishop and currently the new Manila Archbishop Most Rev. Chito Tagle, during the shoot of “The Seven LastWords, Year 23.”

April 6, Good Friday, will be a special day for ABC Promotions and thousands of TV viewers of Channel 13 as they faithfully listen to the priests reflecting on the “Seven Last Words.”

This is the 25th year the program is aired from noon to 3 p.m. under the direction of Meng Canlas, daughter of the program’s founder, Bro. Ben Canlas, who passed away last year.

Episodes are being filmed even before Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22.

Since its start 25 years ago, Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua has been supporting the program through his companies: Fortune Life Insurance Co., Fortune Care, Fortune General Insurance, Eternal Plans Inc., Eternal Gardens Memorial Park. Other sponsors are Baguio Oil, Gibson Shoes and Tristar International Travel Inc. which will bring Fr. Bong Guerrero and Canlas to shoot in Jerusalem for the First Word. Readers who want to be part of this production as sponsors or advertisers can text Meng at 0920-9227318.

The homilists

Hosted by Fr. Larry Faraon with Catholic preacher Bro. Arnel Cariño as special guest, the program has for its homilists Fr. Bong Guerrero (First Word), parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cubao; Fr. Anton Pascual (2nd Word), president of Radio Veritas and executive director of Caritas Manila; Cubao Bishop Honestro Ongtioco (3rd Word); Fr. Arlo Bernardo Yap, SVD (4th Word); Fr. Erick Y. Santos (5th Word), director of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Ministries in the Archdiocese of Manila and spiritual director of Federation of Trans-parochial Charismatic Communities in the Philippines; Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco Jr., HP, S.Th.D. (6th Word), founder, Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation Inc.; and professor of Theology and Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle (7th Word).

The April 6 “Seven Last Words” is being aired in memory of Bro. Ben P. Canlas, a servant of God, Catholic lay preacher and founder-president of ABC Promotions Inc. Bro. Ben pioneered in using TV on Good Friday as a tool of evangelization.

‘Heart Speaks’

Vice President Jojo Binay continues the “Heart Speaks” series as a “sharer” on March 1, after the 6 p.m. Mass at National Shrine of the Sacred Heart on Dao Street, Makati.

The first sharer was Cardinal Rosales, followed by Fr. Fernando Suarez. They reveal how the devotion to the Sacred Heart has made an impact on their lives.

Among the other sharers are Rev. Fr. Gerry Orbos., SVD (May 5); Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani (May 31); Rev. Fr. Francis Gustilo, SD (July 3); Ambassador Henrietta de Villa (Aug. 2); Bishop Broderick Pabillo (Sept. 6); Gawad Kalinga chair Tony Meloto (Oct. 4); and Winnie Monsod (Dec. 6). “Heart Speaks” is a brainchild of Fr. Vic Apacible, parish priest.

Marian shrines

Rev. Fr. Melvin Castro, whose advocacy is propagating the devotion to Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace, leads a pilgrimage to the great Marian shrines in Europe starting April 10. Leaving Manila for Frankfurt via Dubai, the group will drive to the shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in Vallendar. The devotion, begun by Fr. Joseph Kentenich, invites the Blessed Mother and her Son Jesus to the home, for families to establish a spiritual covenant of love with them.

The next shrine is in Banneux, Belgium, where one can find the Virgin of the Poor who appeared to 11-year-old Mariette Beco eight times. In the Philippines, one can find a replica of the chapel of the Virgin in the Sisters of Mary complex in Barangay Biga in Silang, Cavite. Underneath the altar lay the remains of Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz, founder of the Sisters of Mary religious order, which gives education to at least 4,000 high school boys and girls in Girlstown and Boystown.

To be visited are the shrines of Our Lady of Beauraing, known as “Virgin of the Golden Heart”; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at Rue du Bach in Paris, Nevers, where the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette is enshrined; and Paray-Le Monial where the devotion to the Sacred Heart started. For more info, text Fr. Melvin, 0917-5149798.

Lenten pilgrimage

To prepare his parishioners for Lent, Fr. Benjie Ledesma leads a Lenten pilgrimage on March 24, from Antipolo Cathedral to Nagcarlan, Laguna, visiting churches along the way.

Pilgrimage fee is P1,000 per person. Register at Harrison Plaza Chapel or at Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Leveriza St., Malate. Open to all.

Text Fr. Benjie at 0917-5020923.

Medical mission to Camsur

Physicians for Peace Philippines (PFP Phil.) will hold a medical mission in the towns of Tigaon and Sagnay, Camarines Sur, Feb. 15-19. Doctors from PFP International in Norfolk, Virginia, will assist.

Rotary Club International has also donated 500 shelter units to families rendered homeless by Typhoon Sendong in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City, according to Lyne Abanilla of Rotary International.

Joyful Mysteries for India

Let us pray the Joyful Mysteries for the 41 million Indians without a home; for those who suffer because of caste barriers; for political leaders to be enlightened as they chart a course for one billion people; for peace with Pakistan and resolution of the Kashmir issue; and for more opportunities for people to hear the Gospel.

A special Mass will be held for Our Lady Rosa Mistica tomorrow at noon in Harrison Plaza Chapel.

Requiem Mass

The Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls holds a Requiem Mass for the victims of war in the Philippines and the soldiers who fought in the Battle for the Liberation of Manila, on Feb. 13, 10 a.m., at Manila Cathedral.