Monday, September 08, 2008 Dedication of Divine Mercy statue at El Salvador set
THE Divine Mercy Foundation Mindanao (Philippines) Inc., together with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, cordially invites everyone to a triple grand celebration on Monday at the Divine Mercy Hills in PSB-Ulaliman, El Salvador City.
The highlights of the event will be the solemn dedication and blessing of the 50-foot Divine Mercy statue, the formal turnover of the statue to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary.
The event is the biggest celebration in the Divine Mercy Hills and could not have been more perfectly timed for the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is commemorating its diamond jubilee year too.
The Divine Mercy statue, so far the tallest Divine Mercy statue in the world, will be formally turned over to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro represented by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma.
The occasion will also welcome the collaborating presence of the Marians of the Immaculate Concepcion Fathers from Stockbridge, Mass to be the administrator and custodian of the statue and the Church of Mercy. There will be a Filipino priest counterpart since the Polish priests are still unable to speak Cebuano or
Tagalog dialects.
Divine Mercy Hills is a project inspired by God. His presence is mysteriously felt in the place as miracles of healing and conversion are continuously experienced by many. Since its discovery and development in 2003, there is a steady rise of pilgrims from all over the country. The forthcoming event will also usher in pilgrims and visitors from foreign shores like Poland, United States, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Preceding the celebration was a three-day symposium, which will be held at the Coco Ridgeview Chapel.
The first day of the symposium focused on the importance of the Eucharistic celebration, Marian topics were discussed on the second day and Divine Mercy essentials were explained on the third day.
Among the topics and speakers were as follows: Divine Mercy and the Holy Eucharist by Rev. Joe Roesch; The Eucharist and Social Justice by Rev. Florencio Salvador; Role of Mary in the Works of Divine Mercy (Mother of Mercy) by Roesch; Mary, True Model of Discipleship by Msgr. Rey Monsanto; Church's Guidelines on Marian Devotions by Salvador; The Life and Virtues of St. Faustina Kowalska by Rev. Seraphim Michalenko; The Essence and Urgency of the Divine Mercy Message by Michalenko; and a personal testimony by Rev. Donald Callaway.
Likewise, there were various musical presentations in honor of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary by the five Divine Mercy ecclesiastical provinces of Mindanao.
The main celebrant of the September 8 mass will be Ledesma with Archbishop Emeritus Jesus Tuquib as con-celebrant. The homilist will be Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.
After the communion prayer, the turnover rite will begin.
Following the blessing will be the decree of establishment as diocesan shrine, shower of petals and confetti, release of balloons, street dancing and floral offering.
Sponsors for the statue's construction include Capitol University matriarch Laureana Rosales, lawyer Guerrero and spouse Paquita Adaza, Uy Yan Ping, Lydia Uy, retired Col. Edsel and spouse Rosario Salvaña and statue sculptor Nicanor Reyes and his team. (Press release)
