Preparing for the first International Global Peace Interfaith Conference at the Manila Hotel on April 18, 19 and 20, 2013, is a tall order for the organizers, headed by Basil Archbishop Deogracias Flores of the Eglise Orthodoxie d’Europe and the Catholic Clergy, such as Fr. Alex Benedicto, SJ; Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM; and Fr. Efren de Guzman, SVD.

Archbishop Flores is the first Filipino and Asian to be included in the Holy Synod of the World. He is the president of the Global Peace Interfaith Council Inc. Expected to attend are members of Orthodox churches from Russia, Romania, Brazil, the United States, Germany, Israel, Canada, Africa and other countries. Invited as guest speakers are well-known Catholic leaders. For more details, call Arleen Lipana, organizer and project manager, at 0916-4485660.

The orthodox Worship Hall of Archbishop Flores is at 14 Winston St., East Fairview Park, QC.  Tel. 631-4311373.

Miracle experience in Padova

Our pilgrimage with Adam’s Travel to Rome and other shrines in Italy included a trip to the Basilica Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua in Padova. We went first to Rome on Oct. 19 for the canonization of Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod. We then drove to Lanciano and then to San Giovanni Rotondo; we were 47 pilgrims in all, headed by our chaplain Fr. Rodel Paulino, parish priest of the Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish in BF Homes, Parañaque.

It was my first time to see the Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua to whom I have a special devotion. The distance from the bus stop to the church was far and I had difficulty walking, holding on to Tita Lilia Aguila who was with her husband, Rene Aguila, from Calumpit, Bulacan. But the effort was worth it because we were blessed to have been given a chapel where Father Rodel and four other priests concelebrated Mass.

Our priests were Fr. Raul Matienzo, parish priest of St. Peter & Paul Church in Aplaya, Calamba City; Fr. Reynante Tolentino of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Marikina; Fr. Jun Suriben, parish priest of Maria, Ina ng Kapayapaan Parish in Kasiglahan Village in Barangay San Jose, Montalban Rizal; and Fr. Santiago Agoo of the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan, Zamboanga.

Touching the tomb

You couldn’t imagine the overwhelming feeling of lining up to touch the tomb of St. Anthony de Padua and praying to him. On our way, we saw photos of sick people displayed near the tomb of the saint.

Tita Lilia went ahead of me and prayed. When it was my turn to touch the tomb with both hands, I felt an electric current. I knew then that the saint knew that I was there. I asked for my healing and that of friends back in Manila who are very sick.

Those who need healing can e-mail the basilica at [email protected] or mail letter to Basilica del Santo-P.za de Santo, 11-35123 Padova, Italy.  The monks will place your letter beside the tomb of St. Anthony de Padua.

Teary-eyed San Calungsod

Fr. Butch Avelino of the Archdiocese of Palo was one of the priests who concelebrated in the Thanksgiving Mass on Oct. 22 at 8 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. Main celebrant was Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. Fr. Manuel Ocaña prayed in Waray during the Prayers of the Faithful.

They suddenly noticed the image of San Pedro Calungsod on the floor after the Mass in a corner. When the two priests approached him, they saw that the image was teary-eyed. Father Butch surmised that the saint must have been upset for being treated that way.

Speaking in Cebuano, the two priests tried to comfort the saint and apologized for the disrespectful treatment.

‘Duaw Nasud’

Since he left Rome to come to Manila, the image of San Pedro Calungsod has been visiting parishes in Metro Manila and Luzon before he is brought back to the Cebu Cathedral for the Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 30, 5 p.m. “Duaw Nasud ” is “country visit” in Cebuano.

We are putting out here the schedule for the Visayas and Mindanao after Legazpi. Today, Sunday, the image is in the Diocese of Daet. It will move on to Naga on Nov. 12, then to the Diocese of Legazpi on Nov. 13.

From the Port of Matnog, San Pedro Calungsod will be brought to Palo, Leyte, on Nov. 14; Maasin (Nov. 15); Surigao (Nov. 16); Butuan (Nov. 17); Cagayan de Oro (Nov. 18);  Dipolog (Nov. 20); Jaro (Nov.  23);  San Carlos City (Nov. 24); Tagbilaran (Nov. 25) Talibon (Nov. 26) and Cebu (Nov. 27-30).

Fr. Rahnie Aquino, musical director of the Coro de San Jacinto, which sang during Triduum Masses for St. Pedro Calungsod in Rome, would like to invite benefactors to the Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 18, 11 a.m., at the San Beda Chapel on Mendiola Street. Fr. Abbott Africa will preside the Mass. The Coro will sing.

Healing seminar

The Philippine College for the Advancement in Medicine will hold its 11th national convention on Nov. 17-19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Club Filipino. Theme is “The Power of Natural Healing.” Plenary sessions and exhibit will be held on Nov. 22, also at Club Filipino.

Today is the feast of Our Lady de Soledad de Porta Vaga, patroness of Cavite.

Rosary for Life

Rosary for Life Philippines will celebrate its ninth anniversary on Nov. 12 with a Holy Mass at 5 p.m. at Ermita Church. Bishops Gabriel Reyes, Broderick Pabillo and Bernardino Cortez will concelebrate.

Mass of Remembrance will be held by the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Nativity at the Cubao Cathedral for the victims of “Sandy” in the United States.