Faithful urged: Follow Archbishop Camomot’s example

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Florencio and some priests prayed before the tomb of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot in celebration of the latter’s 104th birthday. Archdiocese of Cebu is processing the possible sainthood of Camomot who was known for his extreme generosity and love for the poor. (CDN photo/Lito Tecson)

PRELATE’S 104TH BIRTHDAY MARKED

Be like Teofilo.

As the world needs more servant-leaders, people are encouraged to turn to the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot as an inspiration and example.

This is Cebu Auxiliary Oscar Florencio’s message to the thousands of people who trooped to the tomb of Camomot in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City on Saturday to commemorate the 104th birthday of the well-loved Cebuano prelate whose cause for sainthood is being processed by the Archdiocese of Cebu.

“In our time, we need true servant leaders, those who know how to listen to the Gospel and their conscience. Here we have Archbishop Camomot who showed us what genuine service is all about,” said Florencio in his homily during the 4 p.m.

Mass at the Daughters of St. Teresa (DST) chapel located near the Domus Teofilo where Camomot’s remains were housed.

While the Catholic Church has not officially proclaimed Camomot as a saint yet, Florencio said people already believed that the late archbishop lived a life of holiness and was a true servant-leader.

“May we multiply and perpetuate the virtues of Archbishop Camomot, particularly his generosity and dedicated service to the people and the Church,” he said.

Camomot was born in Cogon, Carcar City on March 3, 1914 to Luis and Angela Bastida. He went on to become a priest and later a bishop.

Fondly known as Monsignor Lolong, Camomot was known for his extreme generosity and exceptional love for the poor.

In some instances, Camomot pawned his episcopal ring and pectoral cross (the large crucifix worn by bishops) and gave the proceeds to the poor. The archbishop would also give away whatever he had to the needy.

Camomot died at the age of 74 in a vehicular accident in San Fernando town on Sept. 27, 1988.

The Archdiocese of Cebu ruled that the heroic virtues demonstrated by Archbishop Camomot are worthy of sainthood.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma flew to Rome on Saturday to follow up the process of Camomot’s cause for sainthood.

Present during the Mass at the DST compound in Carcar City were about 20 priests led by Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, the vice postulator of the cause, who also celebrated his birthday on Saturday.

Balili is set to travel to Rome on Sunday to accompany Palma.

After the Mass on Saturday, the second Awit Teofilo, a national song writing festival, was held at the two-hectare property behind the Domus Teofilo with renowned singer Jaime Rivera as guest.

Florencio called on the people to continue praying for the beatification and canonization of Camomot.

“Let us pray hard for Archbishop Camomot as we thank God for giving us someone who was an instrument of His mercy and love,” he said.

If his cause for sainthood will be approved by the Pope, Camomot will become the Philippines’ third saint next to San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and San Pedro Calungsod – both laypersons.

Last Nov. 2017, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the diocesan process for the cause of sainthood of Camomot who was known for his extreme generosity and love for the poor.

The diocesan process includes gathering of documents and writings of Camomot as well as the testimonies of witnesses who had personal encounters with the archbishop.

The next part would be the preparation of the Positio which would summarize the life and virtues of Camomot.