Pedro Calungsod image custodian feels blessed

CEBU, Philippines - Being chosen as the custodian of the official image of Beato Pedro Calungsod was unexpected according to Fr. Charles Jayme.

But he felt honored and blessed despite the big responsibility that goes with it.

“This is a grace, a blessing and a challenge for me. I never expected to have this job, as big as this, considering that I am still new in this ministry as this is yet my second year as a priest,” he added.

Jayme recalled that he was initially appointed as the head of the “Duaw Nasud”, a post canonization activity linking the canonization to the National Thanksgiving.

He attended the executive committee meeting in preparation for the canonization in July.

That was when he was asked to be the executive committee to be the custodian of the official image which was approved by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Jayme said that when the appointment was given to him, he had mixed emotions. He was overwhelmed with the responsibility but was happy since it is his first time to go to Rome.

   Jayme is grateful to Sun Travel for their kindness as they offered their buses to ferry Fr. Jayme and the image from the airport to the Colegio Filipino in Rome, Italy, where the image will be enshrined.

From October 18 to 20, there will be a “triduum”, a three-day period of prayer, in the different churches in Rome, before the canonization of Pedro Calungsod on October 21.

 From Rome, there will be a grand reception at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on the October 25 at 4:50 PM.

“I will be flying to Manila to finalize the preparation of the reception with the Manila group and as well as finalization of the itinerary for the suroy-suroy of the Duaw Nasud,” he said.

The image of Calungsod for the “Duaw Nasud” will be brought to the major cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from October 25 to November 27.

The image is expected to be back in Cebu City on November 27 according to Fr. Jayme as there will also be a triduum before the National Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 for Pedro Calungsod’s sainthood. — (FREEMAN)