500YOC Celebration: 100 children baptized in first Triduum mass

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma led the successful celebration of the first Triduum mass, as well as the baptism of 100 children coming from the different parishes in the Archdiocese of Cebu yesterday.

In Catholic tradition, a Triduum is a period of three days of prayer usually preceding a Roman Catholic feast. In this case, the three-day prayer is for the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, which will be formally marked with a pontifical mass on April 14.

Palma, together with Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, Palo, Leyte Archbishop and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop John Du, celebrated the mass as part of celebration of the 500 years of Christianity at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cebu City.

In his homily, Palma reminded parents of the privilege of having children who have received the sacrament of baptism and have “become the children of God, members of the Church, heirs of the kingdom of God.”

Palma said that while the children are too small to understand the meaning of their baptism now, “perhaps when they grow old, in connection with the 5th centenary, when we remember this historical event, we remember that they were baptized.”

Before the event started, security was tight at the venue.

After the event at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a motorcade of the image of the Sr. Sto. Niño and the Jubilee Cross followed. It started from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, passing through M.J. Cuenco, Lorega, Mabolo, Lahug, Escario, Banawa, Labangon, Tisa, Punta, Basak, Pardo, and going back to the basilica.

Father Andre Ventanilla, chairman of the Commission on Youth who also joined the motorcade procession, said that the procession was successful and peaceful as the people along route complied with the health standards.

Policemen, traffic enforcers, and force multipliers helped secure the occasion.

Ventanilla said that Catholic faithful living along the route made their own preparations, such as putting up a small altar outside their residences and establishments. At the parishes where the motorcade passed by, the parish priests stood outside, waiting for the procession.

According to Cebu City Disaster Office's Harold Alcontin, there were around 5,000 to 10,000 who dotted the motorcade route.

After the motorcade, the “Panaw sa Pagtuo” exhibit was officially launched at the North Wing of SM City Cebu wherein various faces of Virgin Mary, Santo Niño, among others, are on display.

Palma said that for today, April 12, 100 children are set to receive the sacrament of confirmation in a rite at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City.

There will also be a baptism ceremony for adults Tuesday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Rule in Lapu-Lapu City. — Rowena D. Capistrano, JMD (FREEMAN)