Archdiocese of Cebu celebrates 74th year

The Archdiocese of Cebu celebrated its 74th anniversary yesterday together with two significant celebrations in the Roman Catholic community.

Archdiocese of Cebu media liaison officer, Msgr. Achilles Dakay said that aside from the Archdiocese’s anniversary, April 28 is also the celebration of “Kaplag” or the discovery of the holy image of the child Jesus as well as the feast of St. Vitales, patron saint of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Dakay continued that the 74th anniversary is a “whole-year preparation for the 75th anniversary next year.”

“We will line up other activities throughout the year, more Bible studies and seminars regarding social issues,” he said.

Yesterday morning, the Archdiocese first commemorated the “Kaplag” after the San Nicolas Parish celebrated the same festivity in the Buwad Festival last Sunday.

During the Holy Mass at 4 p.m. at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal emphasized in his homily the importance of the three festivities in the Roman Catholic calendar.

“In this time of insurgency, we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit for us to find the right path of truth in the light of our Savior Jesus Christ,” the Prelate said.

Vidal urged everyone to contemplate on the lives of St. Vitales and his family, seeking Jesus in their lives. He said that in these times of strife and insufficiency, it is hard to find a family like that of the patron saint.

St. Vitales’ family is a family of saints - from his wife Valerie to his twin sons, Gervasio and Protacio from Italy.

The procession of the four images of St. Vitales and his family joined by some clergies of the Archdiocese, parishioners, and faithful devotees followed after the Holy Mass.  — Anthony S. Teo and Marchie Jane Trangia, UP MassComm interns/MEEV