For the first time, the Archdiocese of Cebu is including three lay persons in a lineup of priests to speak in this year’s Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) on Good Friday.
The decision to include two women and a male pastoral worker to give their reflections on the last words of a dying Jesus Christ is part of the observance of 2014 as the “Year of the Laity.”
The meditations at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral will be broadcast live over GMA-7 and radio dyRF starting 12 noon.
Dr. Carmelita Dulangon, regional director of the Department of Education; retired Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago; and pastoral worker Manolito Ardimer of the Basic Ecclesial Communities will join four Cebuano priests.
In past years, only priests delivered the commentaries.
The Year of the Laity was declared by Philippine bishops as part of nine years of preparation through “intensive evangelization” for the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity.
In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines. It was in Cebu where the Portuguese explorer, a lay person, catechized the tribal chieftain Rajah Humabon, his wife and their tribe. They were all later baptized.
The queen, baptized as Juana, was gifted with a statue of the Santo Niño, which is now preserved in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
The year 2013 was celebrated as the Year of the Faith.
First Word: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Fr. Leonilo Igloria, rector of the San Carlos Seminary College.
Second Word: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Retired Assistant Ombudsman Santiago on Jesus’ words to the repentant thief.
Third Word: “Woman, behold your son; Son behold your mother.” – Dr. Carmelita Dulangon on the statement of Jesus addressed to His mother Mary and John the Apostle.
Fourth Word: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” – Msgr. Daniel Sanico of the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City.
Fifth Word: “I thirst.” – Fr. Socrates Saldua, chairman of the Commission on Service
Sixth Word: “It is finished.” – Manolito Ardimer, pastoral worker and secretariat of Basic Ecclesial Communities
Seventh Word: “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit” – Fr. Carmelo Diola, seminary professor and executive director of the Dilaab Foundation Inc.
This year’s reflections carry the theme, “Filipino Catholic Laity: Called to be saints; sent forth as heroes.”
Msgr. Ruben Labajo, team moderator of the cathedral, will open the reflections. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will conclude the meditations with a prayer.