100-day countdown to start tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - The 100-day countdown to the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21 officially starts tomorrow.

Thousands of people are expected to converge at the Fuente Osmeña Circle for the launching of the countdown.

The event will start with a mass at the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño at 2:30 p.m. to be officiated by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

A motorcade will then follow towards the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

The motorcade will be composed of 17 vehicles representing Calungsod’s age of martyrdom.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said politicians have indicated to attend the launching.

 Vidal said they invited Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who has been coordinating with the Archdiocese for assistance in the preparation for the canonization and for the National Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 30

Palma said the Archdiocese of Cebu came up with the 100-day countdown “to sustain the excitement of the people” and for them to know more about the Visayan martyr.

The Archdiocese’s Commission on Social Communications is taking care of the event.

“And to really end up with a great and memorable celebration. We want to come up with a very relevant and very challenging event for the young, missionaries, OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), and the lay faithful,” said Palma in a press conference yesterday.

A band will perform to open the activities at the Fuente Osmeña Circle and this will be followed by a video presentation on testimonies of the youth.

At 4 pm, the Commission on Youth will perform an animation and acknowledgments will follow.

Thirty minutes later, the Image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod is expected to arrive.

The Commission on Youth will be singing the Gozos upon the arrival of the image.

Palma will say a message to be followed by a presentation of Calungsod’s martyrdom.

Palma will be back to say a prayer and will open the official countdown.

The activity will end with the community singing of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod song.

Palma said devotees and religious commissions in Manila will also hold their own countdown.

Palma revealed that about 900 pilgrims have indicated to join the canonization in Rome.

At present, they are busy looking for a model for the face and body of Calungsod’s prototype.

Vidal said the image of Calungsod maybe ready by August, which will be brought to Rome for the canonization.

“We want a face of a young man, without shoes, wearing white pants. Mo-show g’yud niya as a catechist. The sculpture should capture the personality or virtues of Pedro Calungsod,” Palma said.

Palma who also heads the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) further said they want the image to be distinct with that of the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Palma also announced that the ground breaking of the “templete” or the venue of the thanksgiving mass at the South Road Properties will be on August 7.

Palma and Vidal will attend the brief ceremony. (FREEMAN)