Filipinos in Rome were deeply saddened by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to renounce the papal office, said Vatican Ambassador Mercedes Tuason.

 

“We are completely saddened,” he said. “We love him and his example has always served us, to be more generous. We are amazed and edified by his courage, humility and his love for the world and the whole church. With hope and faith in God’s providence, we pray for Pope Benedict XVI and the next.”

 

Relic of St. Camillus

 

As the 400th death anniversary of St. Camillus de Lellis draws near, part of the Camillian Order’s celebration is the pilgrimage of the relic (St.Camillus’ heart) in different parts of the globe where the Camillians are present. It will be on its pilgrimage in the Philippines Feb. 18-March 10.

 

The “journey of the heart” will be a historic moment for the Camillians, its collaborators and healthcare workers. This is also a special moment for the sick to deepen their devotion and experience the ever-present love of Christ to them through St. Camillus, the patron of the sick, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and hospitals.

 

Feast day of St. Camillus is July 14.

 

Holy Mass and ceremonies honoring the relic will take place on Feb. 18, 6 p.m., at Our Lady of La Paz Parish (Archimede Flordeliz Sts.) in Makati. It will stay here until Feb. 19 after which it will be brought to the Camillian Sisters Convent in Kingsville Subdivision in Antipolo City.

 

(E-mail [email protected] or text Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva, MI, at 0927-4739519.)

 

San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish

 

Fr. Mario Ladra, parish priest of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Pleasantville Subdivion in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, will hold a Healing Mass on March 3 at 4:30 p.m. with the relic of St. Camillus enshrined there.

 

(Call 044-7690585.)

 

Pilgrimage of Mercy

 

The “Mercy Team” with Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez as chaplain will lead pilgrims through the steps taken by Blessed John Paul II in 1993 when he visited the Gate of the Dawn Chapel, the world-famous shrine where one can find the icon of Our Lady of Mercy of Ostra Brama (Sharp Gate) in Vilnius, Lithuania.

 

From there and an overnight stay in Vilnius, the group will proceed to Czestochowa to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery where one can find the famous Black Madonna venerated as the “Queen of Poland.”

 

Leaving May 14, back May 27.

 

(Text Teresa Dalida of 360 World Tours at 0917-7148400 or Paz Flora at 0918-9014052 or call 9105409.)

 

Hospitaller marks 25th year in Manila

 

The canonical presence in Metro Manila of the Hospitaller Brothers and Sisters began on Feb. 22, 1988 when the order received the written permit of the late Cardinal Sin to open their community in the Archdiocese of Manila.

 

The year-long joint celebration of their silver anniversary will begin on Feb. 22 with a Eucharistic celebration at 3 p.m. at the Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus right in front of the St. John of God Center on 1126 R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila.

 

The main celebrant will be Manila Archbishop emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. He will be welcomed by Bro. Joseph Magliozzi and the brothers.

 

St. Padre Pio healing Mass

 

Fr. Jojo Gonda, parish priest of the Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas, continues to hold healing Masses invoking the intercession of the saint every 23rd of the month (Feb. 23, 9 a.m.).

 

St. Padre Pio died on Sept. 23, 1968 which has become his feast day.

 

By the way, those who want to know how to treat infertility with natural therapies can attend the seminar of the Phil. College of Advancement for the Advancement of Medicine (PCAM) on Feb. 21, 5:30-9 p.m., at the RAL room of the Club Filipino.

 

(Text 0917-8333828 or call 3815210.)

 

St. Joseph exhibit

 

At this time of the year, the Friends of St. Joseph headed by Dr. Danilo Trinidad Reyes start gathering images of St. Joseph to be exhibited at the Hospicio de San Jose, March 10-19.

 

(Those interested to bring their images can text him at 0917-8125148.)

 

Those interested to have a copy of the 30-day novena of St. Joseph (Feb. 18-March 19) can write to me c/o the Philippine. Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for easier mailing.

 

Christian Life Program

 

The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) in Taguig holds its Christian Life Program every Saturday, 5 p.m., at Kingsville Building on First Street, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig. BCBP is a Catholic charismatic group with 27 chapters nationwide and two chapters in Los Angeles, California.

 

(Text Eddie and Vangie Ibazeta at 0922-8115688 or Matt Magpantay at 0915-2066193.)

 

Fun run to restore church

 

Fr. Benjie Ledesma is raising funds to restore the ceiling of Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Leveriza Street, Malate. He sold 2013 church calendars. For P500 offering for one piece of wood to build the manger of the Baby Jesus last Christmas, generous donors came to help.

 

Now, he’s organizing a fun run on March 10 at 5 a.m. from the Rajah Sulayman Plaza in front of Malate Church.

 

(To join, please register at the Harrison Plaza Chapel and ask for Bong, or text Fr. Benjie at 0917-5020923.)

 

San Lorenzo Ruiz in Nairobi

 

The very first image of San Lorenzo Ruiz, patron of OFWs and Filipino migrants, reached Nairobi, Kenya last Thursday. Consul General Donna Feliciano Gatmaytan had brought the image via Emirates last Tuesday.

 

The image will be honored with a Holy Mass today at the Holy Trinity Parish in Nairobi.

 

The image was donated by the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry through its board member Paulo Campos Jr.