After canonization: Nationwide visit eyed for Calungsod image

CEBU, Philippines - The image of the Visayan martyr, Blessed Pedro Calungsod, will be toured around the country after his canonization in Rome on October 21.

The activity dubbed as “Duaw Nasud” will commence in November immediately after the observance of the All Souls and All Saints Day, said Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Secretary General Fr. Marvin Mejia.

Mejia said the image will visit all the Archdioceses and Dioceses in the Philippines. Cebu will be the image’s final stop where a National Thanksgiving Day Mass will be celebrated on November 30.

Mejia said they are leaving up to vice postulator, Fr. Ilde Leyson and company, to decide whether to use the statue of the Visayan martyr now found at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Shrine or another image will be used.

Mejia said the visit will start in Manila, the only Archdiocese in the country way back in 1672 during Calungsod’s martyrdom, and its suffragan dioceses then – Vigan, Ilocos Norte; Naga, Bicol, and Cebu.

Unlike in 1672, or 340 years ago, that there was still one Ecclesiastical province, the country now has 16 Ecclesiastical provinces, Mejia explained.

“The visit will cover all the Archdioceses and Dioceses in the country but possibly dili man malukop (we cannot visit all) so the target is unahon ang Manila ug ang tulo ka-suffragan Dioceses (we start in Manila and the three suffragan Dioceses),” he said.

Mejia said one of the objectives of “Duaw Nasud” is to promote devotion to Calungsod among Filipino Catholics. He said many more Filipinos do not know who Calungsod is.

The visit also aims to draw attention to certain historical connection of Calungsod to some places in the country.

“Another is to share with the whole nation the honor and joy of having another Filipino whose name is being inscribed by the Universal Church in the Catalogue of Saints,” the priest said.

Mejia presented the activity during the 2nd plenary meeting held at the Archbishop’s residence on March 14.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma lauded the proposal and even moved for its approval, citing the visit as the best way to spread the information about Calungsod.

Also during the meeting, which all committee chairmen and members attended, the National Thanksgiving Day Mass for the canonization of Calungsod was finally decided to be held at the South Road Properties (SRP) on November 30.

The Executive Council in the preparations for Calungsod’s canonization, led by His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, approved the date and venue. — (FREEMAN)