In this screencap from a live stream, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presides over the Opening Salvo Mass for the 22nd feast of San Pedro Calungsod on March 17, 2021, in what would be his first public Mass since he recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
CEBU CITY, Philippines—As the feast of San Pedro Calungsod nears, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged Catholics to take inspiration from the Visayan saint.
Palma presided over the Opening Salvo Mass for the 22nd feast of San Pedro Calungsod on March 17, 2021 in what would be his first public Mass since he recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Read: Palma, Rañola fully recover from COVID-19
“What’s the use of celebrating the Feast of the Saint if we are not inspired to go to heaven. And that first inspiration should be San Pedro Calungsod,” said Palma in a mix of English and Cebuano.
Palma also reminded devotees to always share their blessings, and be grateful for the gift of life and faith God has given them.
“We thank God for people who are God’s instruments of faith… We thank the Lord for the gift we have received like Pedro Calungsod. And that gift makes us accept Jesus Christ,” he added.
The Mass was held in San Pedro Calungsod’s Shrine inside the Archbishop’s Residence along D. Jakosalem Street here.
After the Mass, the prelate also led the ceremonial unveiling the marker that ultimately makes the chapel of Blessed Pedro Calungsod an Archdiocesan Shrine.
The annual feast of San Pedro Calungsod, canonized in 2012, is celebrated every April 2.
But based on the 2021 Calendar of Activities released by the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Feast Day Mass for the saint will be conducted at an earlier date, this March 27, as April 2 falls on a Good Friday.
Novena Masses, meanwhile, will be held from March 16 to March 28.
/bmjo