Thousands welcome Calungsod icon

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  — Thousands of people in Bacolod and Iloilo cities welcomed the pilgrim image of Saint Pedro Calungsod Thursday and yesterday, as part of the Year of Faith celebration of the Catholic Church.

Calungsod’s three-foot statue arrived in Iloilo City yesterday where a liturgical Mass was held in Dumangas Parish Church.

From the Iloilo port, the procession of the image passed through Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Ungka, Jaro and was brought to St. Anne Parish in Molo, West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro, and to Jaro Cathedral for a concelebrated Mass.

The statue visited Bacolod City last Thursday, where thousands of devotees lined the streets and filled the San Sebastian Cathedral to welcome the image.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, in his homily, said San Pedro Calungsod offered his life for the faith. “Let’s ask ourselves if we are ready to do the same… Are we ready to lose the easy life and privileges we are enjoying and stand for the truth?” he told the faithful.

San Sebastian Cathedral rector Msgr. Felix Pasquin said the visit of the pilgrim image of Calungsod rekindled the fire and love of God and the flame of faith among the faithful.

Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, was canonized in Rome last month by Pope Benedict XVI.

Accompanied by three priests, a family, and some volunteers, the pilgrim image of Calungsod arrived in the Philippines from Rome on October 25. (FREEMAN)