Mausoleum, memorial plans part of clergy’s preparations for death

A SECLUDED and holy resting place located within the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral compound was set up only to house the remains of the clergy who served the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The mausoleum was built for priests, bishops and archbishops through the initiative of the late Julio Cardinal Rosales, former Cebu archbishop.

“The place is for diocesan priests. We have no community who will take care of our needs, unlike the members of religious congregations,” Fr. Brian Brigoli told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

He added that with the mausoleum, diocesan priests no longer have to buy funeral plots in cemeteries or memorial parks.

“(But) there are few remains of priests that were transferred here,” Brigoli noted, adding that there are many priests who already bought memorial plans.

A diocesan priest in Cebu can also avail himself of medical insurance of up to
P100,000, a place at the retirement home and a crypt in the mausoleum.

The construction of the mausoleum began in 1982 and was formally blessed on Feb. 19, 1985.

Remains

Interred in the site include the remains of the first Bishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo, Bishop Emeritus of Calbayog Bishop Sincero Lucero, Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Manuel Salvador, Archbishop Emeritus of Lipa Mariano Gaviola and Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Rosales, who died three months after the inauguration mausoleum.

Brigoli said the maintenance of the place is handled by the Cathedral parish as well as the Cofradia de las Benditas Almas del Purgatorio (Confraternity of the Holy Souls of Purgatory).

There are masses said on Mondays at 6 p.m., as well as during the Feast of the Nativity.

Brigoli said the life of a priest is filled with uncertainties and he must be ready at all times to be transferred to parishes of the archbishop's choice.

“We should have that spirit of readiness as we also rely in the goodness of God,” he added.

He took note of some crypts that do not have lit candles or flowers, which may mean that relatives have not yet visited the priests’ remains at the site.

At the site is an empty coffin, which Brigoli said was a donation sent to Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. The coffin is for any one who would be in need of it.