Calungsod's official image ready for Rome

 CEBU, Philippines - Four days from now, the official image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be transported to Rome in time for the Canonization rites of the second Filipino saint on October 21.

In a press conference yesterday, church officials led by the Duaw Lungsod committee showed the image of Blessed Calungsod which will be used for the Canonization as well the celebrations after in the Philippines.

Duaw Lungsod Chairman Msgr. Marnell Mejia said that the image will first be taken from the Pedro Calungsod Shrine in the Archbishop Palace compound on October 16 to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral through a motorcade at 4:30 in the morning. It will be followed by a holy mass at 5:30, and finally a parade from the Cathedral to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The image will be transported through a Cathay Pacific flight with image’s official custodian, Fr. Charles Jayme. Jayme and the official image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod will both be “passengers” of Cathay Pacific. The image will be placed in a polystyrene case and will be seated next to Jayme. More than 200 other pilgrims will also be travelling with them on the said date.

Church officials are reminding those who would want to send-off the image on Oct. 16 to fall in line at the side of the streets along MJ Cuenco Avenue, going to Subangdaku, Tipolo, Mantayong then to Mandaue City. It will also pass through St. Joseph Shrine, Plaridel Street, then to the first Mactan bridge, turning left to MCIA. There will be a short send-off ceremony before taking the image onboard the plane.

A “triduum”, or a three-day period of prayer from October 18 to 20, will take place in various churches in Rome prior the Canonization rites at the Vatican.

On October 25, at 4:40 in the afternoon, the image of Saint Pedro Calungsod will be welcomed with a grand reception at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The image will then be brought to major cities in Luzon, starting in Manila then to Vigan going to Naga and other overnight stops in some archdioceses and dioceses.  After Luzon, the image will be traveled around Visayas and Mindanao, all within October 25- November 27.

On November 27, the image will be brought back to Cebu City where another triduum will follow before the National Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 at the South Road Properties. A fluvial parade and a foot procession will simultaneously take place as well on November 30 before the National Thanksgiving. 

Church officials are asking the public to attend in the different activities prepared by the parishes prior the canonization and to continue absorbing oneself in prayer and contemplation.  (FREEMAN)