Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma blesses the tomb of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot during the observance of the latter’s 28th death anniversary in Valladolid Carcar, City.
(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Wenefredo Abellana of Minglanilla town, Cebu had a scar on his stomach to serve as a reminder of how his devotion to the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot helped him secure the treatment for his bile duct cancer.
Diagnosed with the disease in 2007, the 44-year-old Abellana recounted how his savings dried up to a mere P5,000.
He told reporters how had to find money to pay for a costly operation to cure him of the cancer that ravaged his body.
Abellana said unexpected financial aid came from friends and he received enough money to undergo the life-saving operation.
Abellana and hundreds of devotees flocked to the chapel of the Daughters of St. Teresa in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City to celebrate the 28th death anniversary of Archbishop Camomot.
The celebration opened with a Mass officiated by Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma, who said in his homily that Camomot’s anniversary falls on the feast day of a saint noted for his charity, St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of charitable works.
Palma said Camomot is noted for his diligence in pastoral duties and devotion to prayer.
He said Camomot’s life is defined by his numerous works of charity among the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the suffering.
After the Mass, Archbishop Palma then led the devotees in prayers before Archbishop Camomot’s tomb located at the back of the chapel.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site where the 300-square-meter “Archbishop Teofilo Camomot Museum” will rise.
Located in a two-hectare property and with a budget of P25-million, work on the museum starts on Oct. 1.
Rev. Mo. Loulla Grace Buscato of the Daughters of St. Teresa said they hope to have the museum finished in six months, in time for Archbishop Camomot’s birthday anniversary next year.
Buscato said there were plans to transfer the tomb of Archbishop Camomot to the museum once it’s done but this will take time as they have to seek approval from Rome.
The museum will be open to the public for free and will hold several personal properties of the late archbishop, including his bed, chair, and table as well as his vestment, skull cap, and other personal garments.
At present, the Cebu Archdiocese is processing the beatification of Archbishop Camomot for his sainthood.
Palma said church officials will be going to Rome in October to submit additional testimonies to help in Archbishop Camomot’s beatification.
Archbishop Palma said at least two miracles that involves healing attributed to Archbishop Camomot were needed for his beatification and two more miracles attributed to him for his canonization.