Public asked to help make events orderly

CEBU, Philippines -  The committee in-charge of the motorcade of San Pedro Calungsod’s pilgrim image during the welcome activities and triduum masses urged the public to cooperate in order to keep it smooth and safe.

Msgr. Marnel Mejia, the committee chairman, tapped the San Pedro Choir group to be the marshals and in-charge of the managing of the welcome activities.

Atty. Eden Silva, the head of the choir group, said that most of the people mob the pilgrim image. He hopes this will not happen during the motorcade.

“We encourage everyone to refrain from the usual things people do in events like these like mobbing on the pilgrim image because there will always be a right time that people could go near to the pilgrim image,” said Silva.

Maritoni Corominas, the overall chairman on communication, said that they also discouraged motorcycles to join the motorcade unless they will be at the back portion of all the participating vehicles.

“We discouraged the motorcycles kay peligro kaayo kanang magpidpid sa mga nag-motorcade ug sa mga tawo nga mosugat ni San Pedro Calungsod. Mamahimo silang mokuyog pero para safe, adto lang sila sa luyo. (We discouraged motorcycles because it is very dangerous when they go near the people joining the motorcade and the people who flock to meet San Pedro Calungsod’s image. They may attend and ride their motorcycles but it would be safer if they stay at the tail of the motorcade),” said Corominas.

Msgr. Mejia also revealed the route of the motorcade from the port area and for the triduum masses which will be held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, San Pedro Calungsod Church in SM-SRP and St. Joseph’s Shrine in Mandaue City.

Mejia said that the last two dioceses that the pilgrim image will visit is in Tagbilaran and Talibon in Bohol, on the 26th and 27th respectively. At 12 noon on November 27, the pilgrim image is expected to arrive at Pier 1 from Getafe.

There will be a short welcome rites at the port and will be followed by a motorcade passing the Cebu City Hall to D. Jakosalem Street, straight to the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine at the Archbishops’ Palace.

At 2pm, there will also be welcome rites at the shrine and the pilgrim image will then be transferred to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the first triduum mass at 6 pm, which will be celebrated by Bishop Emilio Bataclan, the parish priest of Danao City.

On the second day, from Guadalupe it will pass through V. Rama, Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, D. Jakosalem St., P. Gomez St. and then to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for the second triduum mass at 6pm, which will be celebrated by Bishop Julito Cortes, the parish priest of Sto. Rosario.

On the third day, from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the motorcade will pass through Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Mambaling, going to San Pedro Church in SM-SRP at 3 pm.

Following the mass which will be celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the San Pedro Church will be consecrated.

From SM-SRP, the motorcade will pass through Ouano Avenue, Tribunal (Mandaue City Sports Complex area) going to St. Joseph’s Shrine for the last triduum at 8pm, which will be celebrated by Bishop Antonio Rañola.

There will be a farewell mass at the St. Joseph’s Shrine on November 30, 7:30 am, to be celebrated by Msgr. Adelito Abella.  During the National Thanksgiving Day on November 30, there will be a foot procession at 1 pm.

The Fluvial Procession will start at 2pm from the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City and is expected to arrive at the South Road Properties at 4 pm.

The National Thanksgiving Mass will start at 5 pm and will be celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Msgr. Mejia encouraged everybody to pray for good weather and for a solemn, orderly and safe holding of these activities.  (FREEMAN)