0 Calungsod Icon Flown To Rome

Thousands of Cebuanos sent off the official pilgrim image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod to Rome, Italy on Tuesday, October 16, less than a week before Pope Benedict XVI declares the 17th-century martyr a saint.

The police in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu estimated the crowd at around 13,000.

"Blessed Calungsod was received warmly by the entire community. The experience was very overwhelming because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the entire Church," said Fr Charles Jayme, the official custodian of the pilgrim image of Calungsod.

Calungsod's image was transported from its home at the Cebu Archbishop's Palace for the send-off Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Monsignor Marnell Mejia, member of the special commission for the devotion to Blessed Pedro Calungsod, said devotees and onlookers flocked to the streets as early as 8 am, immediately after the send-off Mass.

They all hoped to catch a glimpse of the three-foot-long image of the Visayan martyr, carved in Paete, Laguna and chosen by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

VISAYAN SAINT
Cebuanos find a special connection with Blessed Pedro Calungsod.
Photo by Ryan Christopher J Sorote

Mejia said the image was accompanied by at least 100 vehicles to the Mactan International Airport for the 12:30 pm Cathay Pacific flight to Rome via Hong Kong.

The three-hour motorcade, through the main thoroughfares of the 3 cities, caused heavy traffic and the postponement of several classes and business activities.

A short prayer was made inside the airport chapel before the image was taken inside the plane together with 200 official delegates from Cebu.

The pilgrim image will be used in the Triduum Masses at the Vatican and other liturgical activities in connection to Calungsod's canonization on Sunday, October 21.

Over 2,000 Filipino pilgrims will likely attend Calungsod's canonization, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. In the Philippines, the nation will mark a day of celebration on Sunday as announced by President Benigno Aquino III.

A fluvial procession and a National Thanksgiving Mass is scheduled on November 30 at the Cebu City South Road Properties.

Jayme hopes for the same "overwhelming response" from when they return to Manila on October 25.

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