THE pilgrim image of San Pedro Calungsod was toured to eight hospitals in Cebu City on the 348th feast of the Visayan saint's martyrdom on Thursday, April 2, 2020, to bless the sick and medical frontliners as they continue to combat the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Fr. Alvin Raypan, chaplain of the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod, said they also held novena Masses together with a few nuns and seminarians. The Masses were held at the shrine from March 24, 2020, to Wednesday, April 1.
The saint's pilgrim image were toured to Chong Hua Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center, Visayas Community Medical Center, St. Vincent General Hospital, Vicente Gullas Memorial Hospital, Southwestern University Medical Center and Cebu North General Hospital.
Raypan said he was touched by a few people who waved their hands when the vehicle carrying the image of San Pedro Calungsod passed by.
"We would like to ensure that Pedro Calungsod is interceding for us at this time of our need," he said in a phone interview.
Last March 18, six days before the first of the novena Masses for the feast in honor of San Pedro Calungsod, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma cancelled church and religious activities with a large number of congregation due to the threat of the coronavirus.
Raypan said that they immediately announced Palma's order to the saint's devotees.
He thanked the faithful who celebrated the feast with them in their respective houses.
Praying the rosary
A worldwide praying rosary for the healing was led by Palma last Wednesday night, April 1. It was broadcasted live on the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral's Facebook Page and it was held at St Joseph’s Chapel of the cathedral.
After the rosary, Palma thanked everyone who joined the event, which sought divine intervention in ending the spread of the coronavirus.
The healing rosary for the world is scheduled every Wednesday.
Holy Week masses will still be held and will be broadcast live in the Facebook, radio or in television. (JCT)