As we await the great day of Oct. 21 when Pope Benedict XVI canonizes Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod and six other “Blessed” in Rome, let us pray that they may intercede for the safety of our country from earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis. Let us also pray for our youth gone astray and for friends and relatives who are very sick.
Here’s the prayer to Beato Pedro Calungsod, with the ecclesiastical approval of Cardinal Vidal:
“Blessed Pedro Calungsod, student, catechist, young migrant, missionary, faithful friend, martyr, you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity; by your courage in teaching the faith in the midst of hostility; and by your love in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel.
“Make our troubles your own (here mention your request), and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace so that, as we experience the help of heaven, we may be encouraged to live and proclaim the Gospel here on earth. Amen. Blessed Pedro Calungsod, pray for us. ”
Calungsod shrine in Guam
Al Arriesgado, Ali Rich Garcia and I were very blessed to have been able to visit the shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod and Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores behind the Guam Reef Hotel in Tumon Bay.
Louie Ancheta, brother of our host Alvin Jay Ancheta, drove us to the shrine. The site was where San Vitores and Calungsod were martyred and then thrown by their assailants into the sea on April 2, 1672.
By the way, a late report from Guam says that the 3-ft statue of Our Lady of Manaoag donated by Edna Ouano Toral to the St. Anthony and St. Victor Church in Tamuning will occupy a special place inside the church, so devotees can easily go and pray to her.
Bicolano ‘beato’
Prof. Gabby Lopez texted me to say that the late Jesse Robredo “deserves his eternal reward with God. He has become immortal and a saintly intercessor for us. One day, he shall be our first Bicolano beato.”
Mass of Remembrance on Sept. 10
The Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls will hold a Mass of Remembrance on Sept. l0, 11 a.m., at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel on the lower level of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Lantana St. in Cubao.
Fr. Jojo Zerrudo will celebrate the Mass and lead the prayers for the repose of the souls of Dr. Narciso Monfort, founder of PWHS, who died Sept. 5, 2005; for the 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks, in which some 500 Filipinos and Fil- Americans were believed to have been killed; and those who died during the Peñafrancia fluvial processions in September 1948 and 1972.
804 boys and girls to be confirmed
On the feast of Our Lady of La Salette on Sept. 19, 804 boys and girls from Boystown and Girlstown in Barangay Biga in Silang, Cavite, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez at the Girlstown Gymnasium.
My friend Mila Dolores, who has been acting as godparent for the past 10 years, told me that it is truly a privilege to be asked to be a godparent. (For confirmation or inquiries, you may contact sombiga@yahoo.com.)
St. Michael’s Chapel is 50
St. Michael’s Chapel on Aurora Drive, Vergonville Subdivision, and under the Good Shepherd Parish in Las Piñas will turn 50 years on Sept. 29, the feast of the archangel.
Several activities have been lined up this September, such as the Alay Lakad kay San Miguel last Sept. 1; “A Night to Dance ” last Sept. 8 at the De Bresillac Hall of Good Shepherd Parish Pastoral Center; free medical, dental, optical missions on Sept. 15 at the Vergonville Multipurpose Covered Court; and an on-the-spot drawing contest and a Palaro ni San Miguel for the kids at the chapel courtyard on Sept. 23.
St. Michael Novena Masses
Novena Masses will be held every 6 p.m., Sept. 21-29. A procession in honor of the Archangel will take place at 4 p.m. on Sept. 29, the actual feast.
The Concelebrated Fiesta Mass will be held Sept. 30, 8 a.m., to be followed by a photo memorabilia exhibit showing historic milestones of the parish for the last 50 years.
Magsaysay golden wedding anniversary
Roselynn Magsaysay, who has been propagating the devotion to “Ina Poon Bato” for 30 years, and former Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Msgr. Cris Cacho and Fr. Larry Faraon recently.
Their son Victor Magsaysay flew in from Paris where he works as a chef. His brother Jesus Vicente, honorary consul general to Papua New Guinea, sister Angelica Cheng, sister-in-law Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and another sister, Lourdes Magsaysay, were also there.
Boy Ponce, “camaradero” of the Nuestra Señora de la Verdad y Justicia, urges everyone to catch the veneration of Maria Bambinella and the relic of Mary’s veil today at the Presentation of the Child Jesus Church in BF Homes Parañaque. The veneration began yesterday, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Those who are sick can ask for miraculous healing from the Blessed Mother.
Flowers needed
Donations of flowers to decorate the Altar of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Naga Cathedral are needed during the 10 days of the fiesta (Sep. 7-16).
Fr. Rex Hidalgo, on behalf of parish priest Msgr. Noe Badiola, makes this appeal.
You can donate cash or checks to: China Banking Corporation (Naga City) with account number 262-156531-7, under the account name Msgr. Noe P. Badiola and/or Fr. Rex Hidalgo (text Msgr. Noe at 0908-8619417, or Fr. Rex at 09l7-5372962).