Triduum prepared for Calungsod

CEBU, Philippines - Preparations in Rome before, during, and after the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod are all set.

In a meeting recently held by the Calungsod Canonization Executive Council, the program of activities in Rome were presented, including the Triduum, a three-day prayer which will be done before the big feast on Oct. 21.

The Triduum, according to the council led by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, will be held in three different churches in Rome, and will bepresided by different archbishops in the Philippines, including Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

The opening salvo will be done on Oct. 18 wherein a Mass will be celebrated by Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at the Basilica di Saint’ Agostino at 4 pm.

Basilica di Saint’ Agostino, the church of the Augustinians, was particularly chosen considering the huge contribution of the Augustinians in Philippine Christianism, the Council said.

The second day of the Triduum will be held at the Ciesa di’ Gesu, a Jesuit’s church in Rome, at 4 pm. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle will celebrate and preach for the Mass.

Choosing the church, the Council said, is because of its connection with Calungsod’s martyrdom. The young martyr was with Jesuit priest Diego Luis de Sanvitores to advocate Christianism in Guam where they were killed in 1672.

Secondly, records that helped in the processing for Calungsod’s beatification and canonization soon are courtesy of the Jesuits’ records.

The celebrant-preacher of the Mass on the third day of the Triduum will be Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at the Basilica Sta. Maria Maggiore at 10 am.

The church was chosen to take into recognition Calungsod’s Marian dimension of his devotion, the Council further said.

At 8 pm, a penitential service will be held at the Sta. Pudenziana Church, the church offered to the Filipino Overseas Workers in Italy.

On Oct. 22, a day after the Canonization, a Thanksgiving Mass will be held at the St. Peter’s Basilica at 8 am to be celebrated by Vidal. Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron will be the homilist.

The Rome reparations Committee also prepared for the foot procession around Sta. Pudenziana Church later in the day of the canonization.

Vidal and the rest of the Council hopes for the pilgrims to attend not just the canonization but also the activities lined up here in the Archdiocese of Cebu. –(FREEMAN)