Devotees celebrate San Pedro Calungsod’s canonization anniversary

Hundreds of devotees of St. Pedro Calungsod lined up to hold and pray in front of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod.

HUNDREDS of people trooped to the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the South Road Properties yesterday to celebrate the third anniversary of his canonization.

Clad in red liturgical vestments, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo presided over the 10 a.m. Mass — one of the three Eucharistic celebrations to commemorate the Visayan martyr’s elevation to sainthood.

An image of Calungsod, adorned with red and white roses, orchids and anthuriums, was venerated by devotees at the right side of the main altar.

Villarojo was joined by Bishop Christian Vincent Noel of Talibon, Bohol and 32 priests in giving thanks to God for giving the country its second saint.

Villarojo took over the pastoral duties and responsibilities of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who is currently in Rome for the Synod of Bishops on the Family.

The other auxiliary bishop of Cebu, Most Rev. Oscar Florencio, presided over the 6 p.m. Mass yesterday.

In his homily, Villarojo said one does not have to climb mountains nor leave family and country like Calungsod for the sake of the Gospel.

“Pedro gave up so much that God has given him to the point of literally giving up his life. But God is not asking us to give up everything,” the prelate said.

“The demand that the Lord is asking from us is not to leave home and family behind but to share whatever there is that we have right now—family, friends, resources,” he added.

Calungsod was killed by angry villagers in Guam along with Fr. Diego de San Vitores on April 2, 1672 for catechizing natives.

In serving God, Villarojo said Calungsod found everything.

“We are not told to climb mountains or leave our homes and country. There is so much mission areas or lonely places and persons that we can talk to, reach out, and share with, because our mission lies where we are,” he said.

In an interview after the Mass, Villarojo said the Lord has blessed Cebu and the Philippines with a saint whose virtues and life ought to be emulated.

While reflecting on the life of Calungsod, he urged the faithful to also look forward to the celebration of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) that will be held in Cebu City on Jan. 24 to 31, 2016.

“If you recall, the announcement that the IEC will be held in Cebu was made in 2012—the same year St. Pedro Calungsod was canonized. 2012 was year of double blessing for us and we shall reap this blessings as the years go by,” he said.