ARCHBISHOP Jose Palma has urged the Catholic faithful to cultivate a devotion to Señor Santiago.
The prelate’s call happened during the closure of one of the Church’s big events in the Philippines — the 2nd National Congress of Señor Santiago de Apostol Parishes and Devotees, held in Cebu on Wednesday noon, Feb. 6.
Señor Santiago’s relic from Spain was placed inside the Archdiocesan shrine of Santiago de Compostela during the event.
The other highlight of the event was the reading of the letter announcing the “spiritual bond of affinity,” which means that the indulgence that a devotee will receive while visiting the place in Spain where the body of Señor Santiago was found will be the same indulgence that a devotee will get if he visits the parish of Santiago de Compostela in Cebu.
The activities were led by Palma, who officiated the mass at 10 a.m. He was accompanied by 20 priests, including Msgr. Elisardo Villaverde, the chancellor of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
Palma said it was fitting that the national congress was held in Cebu as the Church is preparing for the 500th founding of Christianity in the country in 2021.
The 10-day Camino de Santiago walk ended on Monday afternoon, Feb. 4.
Meanwhile, the priests of the Archdiocese of Cebu celebrated the 88th birth anniversary of the late Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 6.
Palma told the priests to emulate Vidal’s humility and selfless service to the Church and the faithful. Vidal died on Oct. 18, 2017.
“My point is that we should be people of gratitude, grateful for the services of our beloved Cardinal. Sa ato pa, ayaw kita kalimot sa iyang maayong buhat ug (we should not forget his good deeds and) gratitude is the language of the heart,” Palma told Superbalita Cebu.
Palma also encouraged the lay people to continue serving even if they have illnesses.
He said he cannot forget the cardinal’s “humble services,” including his nature that was “very prayerful and very fatherly.”
“Sayod kita nga bisan pa gani sa iyang katiguwangon, bisan kadto nagluya na siya, banat gihapon sa iyang paghatag sa iyang kaugalingon (We knew that despite his old age, even if he was already weak, he was always ready to give his self). Even if he was retired, because of his experience, expertise, influence, dako gihapon ang iyang serbisyo alang sa mga Cebuano, sa Artsdiyosesis ug sa simbahan (his service was huge for the Cebuanos, Archdiocese and the Church),” Palma said. The archbishop officiated the mass honoring Vidal at 5 p.m. It was followed by a simple banquet. (From FMD of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)