VITO Church has been one of the places frequently visited in Sagay by the religious faithful to offer prayers, ask for healing, and even miracles.
One of them is Marcelina Labio, 85, who frequently visits the place not just to pray for her family but for others as well. For 20 years, she has been doing the “Pabasa” or novena where she reads the saints’ prayers, passages, and stories. And the month of May is one of the busiest times to do it, as the devotees and parishioners celebrate the feast of the church’s saint, St. Vincent Ferrer de Vito.
This week was the celebration of the feast and Marcelina brings with her a bag filled with a rosary, personal belongings, and around five to six novena booklets for different saints, including St. Vincent. While the devotees filled the votive stands with colored candles, you can hear Marcelina and the other elders chanting prayers for the Pabasa rites.
“Pabasa has been my way to show my devotion to Señor San Vicente,” Marcelina said, adding “For almost 20 years, I have been consistently praying for good health not just of mine and my husband but of those people who ask me to do the Pabasa for them.”
Nanay Marcelina’s Pabasa is just one of the sights during the celebration of “Panaad kay San Vicente Ferrer de Vito”.The saint, who is believed to be miraculous, has attracted thousands of devotees across Negros Island.
While mass gatherings are back after the pandemic, church seats were quickly filled during a series of celebrated masses during the 4-day festivities from April 29 to May 2 in Brgy. Vito, Sagay City.
Parochial Vicar Fr. Martin Maglayon said that the celebration is a way of thanksgiving to God who remains gracious and loving.
“The faithful especially the pilgrims have experienced God's graces and miracles with the help of San Vicente Ferrer of Vito's powerful intercession,” he said.
The Panaad kay San Vicente, which has been observed for 25 years now, devotees would flock to Vito after petitions of childless couples have been granted, healing from various ailments obtained, and other petitions as well. Some would bring with them several concerns and other needs through prayers and offerings.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, a devotee to the patron saint has been religiously attending mass every Friday offering his prayers for Sagay City and for his personal intentions. Cueva, together with Neg. Occ. 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon, III, attended one of the masses on May 1.
“I have been a believer of prayer and without God’s grace and wisdom we will not achieve our aspirations for our beloved City,” he said.
Separate activities organized by the barangay council and St. Vincent Ferrer Parish include the opening parade, celebrated masses, fluvial parade, procession, and fun fare events like Palumba Baroto, seafood, and product display at the port, among others.
Mayor Narciso Javelosa, Jr., who also attended the festivities on May 2 also encouraged the Sagaynons to “fervently pray and attend mass as this will help build our community as prayerful citizens.”
Maglayon also reminded the devotees to also believe in their hearts as miracles will follow.
“God is always gracious and answers our prayers if it is good for us”, he said, adding “San Vicente Ferrer of Vito is His instrument only and channel, God is always the source of all blessings, graces, and miracles.”
While the festivities have already been finished this year, devotees like Marcelina will continue to visit the church and perform their usual devotion. According to her, she will continue to perform Pabasa while she still has the strength to go to church.
“My children do not live with me anymore, it’s just me and my husband. My house is just blocks away from the church and going here and doing the Pabasa has been a form of my devotion to San Vicente,” she said.* (PR)