AS MOTHERS cannot bear to see their children suffering, remembering the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu who protected Cebu from the cholera pandemic 118 years ago gives the faithful the strength and hope that there is also an end to this Covid-19 pandemic.
This is according to Rev. Fr. Eligio Suico, the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Team of Pastors’ moderator, in his homily during the 118th “Celebracion sa Julio” on Thursday, July 16, 2020.
The “Celebracion sa Julio” commemorates the saving power of God through the intercession of the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, saving Cebu from cholera in 1902.
One of the most affected barangays was Guadalupe where hundreds of its residents reportedly died.
The townspeople of Guadalupe called on the barrio leaders to hold a penitential dawn procession or “aurora” invoking the aid of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Cross of Jesus.
During the procession, the people reportedly sang repeatedly the Antiphon or the “Dios te Salve” in a plainful tune.
The image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Cross were carried in procession through the main streets of the city as people pleaded for divine intervention and the heavenly aid of the Blessed Mother of God against the epidemic.
From then on, the number of deaths reportedly dwindled until it eventually ceased.
As an act of thanksgiving, a nine-day novena and a Holy Mass is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Mother of Guadalupe de Cebu and the Holy Cross every July 16.
Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan assured that the celebration in his barangay followed the existing health protocol with mass celebrations livestreamed on Facebook instead of having devotees gather in the church, and a motorcade of the blessed image of the patroness instead of a foot procession. (WBS)