Imus Bishop Chito Tagle will officiate in the concelebrated Mass marking the 387th fiesta of St. Mary Magdalene Church on July 22, 9:30 a.m., in Kawit, Cavite. Fr. Romeo Ner, parish priest, and other priests of the Diocese of Imus will concelebrate.

This year’s hermanos mayores are Councilors Cherry Nolasco and Armand Bernal. The nine-day novena begins July 13 at the centuries-old church. Bro. Alan Ilustrissimo is parish council president.

I will always be grateful to Milagros Solania-Que for introducing me to the devotion to St. Mary Magdalene in 1999 when she was the hermana mayor. The intercession of the saint helped Mila Que prepare for the church celebration of Christmas years before 1999 when she was asked to be “Ina.” She did not know how she would feed hundreds of people who would come and where she would put them because she only had a small house in Kawit at the time. This was when she and her husband Tony were starting an electronics business.

Mila’s prayer was: “Next time, St. Mary Magdalene, please make my house bigger, so I could welcome more people.” True enough, she and her husband were able to build a bigger house in the same neighborhood. Their house in Parañaque also became bigger after their business flourished.

History of the devotion

Kawit is at the base of a fishhook-like coastal area of Cavite province and is also known as Cavite Viejo. In 1615, Archbishop Garcia Serrano of Manila entrusted the spiritual administration of Kawit to the Society of Jesus. At the time, Imus and Noveleta were part of the town and the parish of Kawit.

According to Fr. Pedro Murillo, Kawit was difficult to minister to because people were scattered and because of the loose morals of the sailors, merchants and seamen stationed in Cavite Puerto who crossed Bacoor Bay to go to Kawit for rest and recreation. It was known that “this village was the public brothel of that port.”

According to Jesuit historian Fr. Horacio de la Costa, when the Jesuits established the parish in 1624, they chose St. Mary Magdalene as patroness, so that “she could bring back to the feet of the Lord her sisters in the trade.” The Jesuits received donations of fishponds, farmland and salt beds for the upkeep of St. Mary Magdalene Parish.

In 1715, the Jesuits built the church made of stone which exists up to the present. All the retablos of the present church and the old santos of the church dated back to this time when the Jesuits served the people of Kawit and Imus, until their expulsion from the Philippines in 1768. When the Jesuits left, the parish was given to the care of the native secular clergy. Thanks to Fr. Virgilio Mendoza for the history.

San Roque roof repair

San Roque Church in Cavite City is being reconstructed and the roof, contrary to what was reported on this column last week, still needs to be repaired in time for the fiesta of Our Lady of Soledad on Nov. 13 and 20. The reconstruction is led by Fr. Cezar Reyes Jr., parish priest.

Those who wish to help can deposit their donations to San Roque Parish with savings account 1273-1642-74 at Bank of the Philippine Islands (Caridad, Cavite City branch). Signatories of the bank account are Father Reyes, Teresa Gonzales and Jose Llacuna.

Venerable Francesco Marcucci

Lately, I have been praying to Venerable Francesco Antonio Marcucci when I lose something or when a friend is seriously ill. When I was in Rome for the beatification of Blessed John Paul II, I prayed to him to help me walk because I had difficulty walking. My prayers are always answered. So it is with joy that I greet the Pious Worker Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, which Venerable Marcucci founded on his feast day on July 12.

A special Mass will be celebrated at the nuns’ convent on July 12, 4:30 p.m., at 28 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge. Call 6471112. Ask for Sister Adele.
Silver Jubilarian nuns

Three Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Baybay City, Leyte–Sisters Judith Lorica, OSF; Nerissa Casulla, OSF; and Annette Escasi-as, OSF–are celebrating their Silver Jubilee of Religious Investiture this year 2011. Sister Ida Porol, OSF, was the lone Silver Jubilarian in 2010.

For ladies who are interested in becoming a Sister, please contact the vocation directress at 0919-4086416 or call 053-3353888; e-mail [email protected]. Please also visit www.ssfpa.org. The motto of Venerable Mother Therezia Bonzel, founder, was “He leads, I follow.”

New bishop of Masbate

Most Reverend Jose Bantolo will be ordained Bishop of Masbate on August 22 in the Cathedral of San Jose, Antique. He will be installed Bishop on Sept. 6, 9 a.m., at Cathedral of St. Anthony de Padua.

T’nalak festival

Congratulations to South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingol Jr. for once again celebrating the foundation anniversary of the province through T’nalak Festival, with activities that would culminate on July 18.

The word t’nalak refers to the intertwined, intricately woven abaca fabric that becomes a tapestry of intense and striking colors, made by the T’boli tribe of South Cotabato. This unique and artistic weaving depicts the vivid spirit of the people.

Philippine Leprosy Mission as beneficiary

Don Cristobal has chosen the Philippine Leprosy Mission as one of the beneficiaries of his “A Tale of Fashion” event on July 10, at Metro Concert Bar, 47 West Ave., Quezon City. Live performances will be given by N Voys and Four Tunes. For tickets, contact Cristobal at 0920-2465579 or 0939-8443221. PLM will use the donation for its educational assistance program for persons affected by leprosy and their dependents.

Our Lady of Piat

Try to catch the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Piat at Immaculate Conception Parish in Damar Village, Quezon City, until tomorrow.

Msgr. Nico Bautista

Friends of the late Msgr. Nico Bautista, especially those belonging to the Msgr. Nico Bautista Scholarship Foundation, will mark his second death anniversary on July 12, with a Mass at 6 p.m. at Magallanes Church.

Condolence to Fr. Jojo Gonda for the passing of his brother-in-law, Prisco Gloria, husband of Sonia Gonda Gloria, manager of PSBank-Harrison Plaza.