|
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Papal blessing
By Allan I. Varquez and Jujemay G. Awit
CEBU CITY -- Devotees who will attend Sunday’s pontifical mass for the Sinulog will receive a special blessing from Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, as endorsed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monsignor Cris Garcia told Sto. Niño devotees Saturday that the Pope allowed the archbishop of Cebu to perform the postulate blessing in honor of the jubilee year of the cardinal.
This year, Vidal will mark his 75th birthday, his ordination as a priest 50 years ago, his episcopacy 35 years ago and his 25th year in Cebu.
“Usually, the Pope only allows a postulate blessing every Christmas and during Easter Sunday,” Garcia said.
He advised those who cannot attend the pontifical mass at 6 a.m. Sunday to listen to the radio or watch a broadcast of the postulate blessing and “they will be consecrated just the same.”
Another means of receiving the blessing, said Garcia, is to pray in front of the Sto. Niño.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also had a special petition when she joined for the first time the fluvial procession Saturday.
She asked the Sto. Niño to bless the preparations for the success of the Asean Ministers’ Summit this December in Cebu.
Challenge
Garcia considers the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) gathering, which Cebu will host for the first time, “the biggest challenge of our lives.”
Another challenge for the Garcia administration is finishing the Cebu International Convention Center in time for the summit.
Capitol is targeting to start the construction next month or early March.
The governor was among the thousands of faithful who joined the religious celebration of the feast of the Sto. Niño, highlighted by the solemn procession Saturday.
Cardinal Vidal carried the replica of the Holy Child and placed it inside the glass case atop the carroza at the entrance of the Basilica del Sto. Niño to start the procession.
Confetti from commercial buildings adjacent the church began falling as soon as the carroza moved out of the church gate to Osmeña Blvd. at 2:45 p.m.
Monsignor Garcia led the procession that lasted nearly five hours.
Crowd control
Police and church officials estimated that about 800,000 people joined the procession and the crowds along the route from Osmeña Blvd. to the streets of Arlington Pond, F. Ramos, D. Jakosalem and back to the basilica.
At least 12 people fainted and were rushed to different private hospitals by paramedics from the Cebu Police Auxiliary Group and the Bureau of Fire Protection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They were in the basilica to hear mass and join the procession.
Crowd control was difficult, particularly along the narrow Arlington Pond and D. Jakosalem Sts., forcing the carroza’s three-layer security of more than 100 private security guards, police recruits and students to stop several times.
People tried to push their way to get a closer look at the Sto. Niño.
High school students of Cebu Normal University drew some attention as the carroza passed their school, by playing their violins.
People waiting in the grounds of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral released hundreds of balloons as the carroza passed along P. Burgos St.
The carroza returned to the basilica at 7:35 p.m.
Holy year
Fr. Andro Batayola took the replica and handed it to Cardinal Vidal.
A 20-second fireworks display signaled the end of the procession.
A high mass celebrated by Bishop John Du followed.
For those who want to get the special blessing from the cardinal, Msgr. Garcia encouraged devotees to also visit the Holy Door of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral every day until Nov. 30.
“Pray to the Pope and the Archbishop while visiting the Holy Door and you will be blessed,” he said.
Vidal declared the year 2006 as a Holy Year of Grace last Nov. 30 with the opening of the Holy Door, five years after it was first opened to the public during the Great Jubilee Year 2000 celebration.
The Holy Door was designed similar to that in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to symbolize “Jesus Christ as the Way, Truth and Life.” (AIV/JGA/MBG of Sun.Star Cebu) |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
