0 Cathay Pacific Carries Image As Passenger, Calungsod First To Enter Plane

CEBU, Philippines - With ticket number 30-D, Pedro Calungsod took a step closer to his sainthood by riding a plane for the first time in his life.
 
He was the flight’s first passenger, bound for the Vatican City where the ultimate prize of canonization awaits his catechistic journey that spanned four centuries.

Before the historic flight, thousands lined up the streets to witness the image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod as it passed through the streets of Cebu City and Mandaue City all the way to the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

From the Pedro Calungsod Shrine at the Archbishop’s Palace, the image was transferred to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 4:50 a.m. with thousands of devotees joining the motorcade.

In his homily at the cathedral, Fr. Charles Jayme, the image’s official custodian, told the faithful to live according to challenge of becoming complete.

“In a few hours we will be going to Rome bringing the challenge stated in the Bible that God made us all to become complete when we followed Jesus Christ,” Jayme said.

He stressed that even if the young Calungsod was not the main catechist, he was able to prove his strong faith to God.

At exactly 8 a.m., Calungsod’s image was transported to the airport for the Cathay Pacific flight.

The CX920 flight carrying the image of Calungsod, Jayme and other devotees took off at exactly 12:56 p.m.

Before their departure, Jayme told reporters that Cathay Pacific offered to carry the statue as a passenger not as an ordinary cargo.

Bishop Emilio Bataclan officiated a short ceremony at a chapel inside the airport before the flight.

The image was placed inside a case made of Styrofoam.

Honored and blessed

The other day, the image was moved from the Archbishop’s Palace to the Pedro Calungsod Shrine, wherein a rosary, a novena and a Mass were held.

Jayme said he felt honored and blessed despite the big responsibility being chosen as the image’s custodian.

He considered as once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling with a soon-to-be-saint. They are expected to arrive in Rome at 8 a.m. today.

Jayme is grateful to Sun Travel for offering buses to ferry the image from the airport to the Colegio Filipino in Rome, where the image will be enshrined.

From October 18 to 20, a “triduum” or a three-day period of prayer will be held at the different churches in Rome.

After the canonization, the image will return to the country with a grand reception at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on the October 25.

The image will then make a tour for the “Duaw Nasud,” an activity in which Calungsod’s official image will travel across the country after the canonization.

The image will be brought to Visayas and Mindanao until November 27.

On November 30, a fluvial parade and a foot procession will take place before the image is brought to the South Road Properties for the National Thanksgiving.

Security measures

The Cebu Provincial Police Office has assured security on Sunday in Ginatilan, where many claimed Calungsod came from.

Anticipating the influx of visitors, the CPPO will increase the police force to augment the three-day celebration of the town starting Friday.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, CPPO director, said they do not have any idea how many devotees will troop to the town for the celebration.

“We have 50 police personnel available and we continue the Integrated Police Night Watch Patrol,” Comendador said.

Comendador directed Supt. Julian Entoma, deputy provincial director for operation, as the security supervisor during the celebration.

Insp. Christopher Castro, Ginatilan police chief, said they are closely coordinating with the Parish Pastoral Council for the security preparation.

by By Marigold P. Lebumfacil, Jose P. Sollano and Ria Mae Y. Booc

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