St. Paul Sanctuary declared Pilgrimage Church

 

The Archdiocese of Manila officially opened the special year of St. Paul with a Eucharistic celebration on June 30, 2008 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) at 9 AM. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales was the presider and homilist.

Concelebrating with the Cardinal were the Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines, Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams; 7 bishops; and priests in the Archdiocese, including those of the Society of St. Paul.  The parishes, schools, ministries and lay organizations also sent delegates to this Eucharistic Celebration. "Let us all come together on June 30 and with joy and praise welcome this year of St. Paul and open our hearts and minds to the enlightenment and grace it will bring to us through an increased understanding and knowledge of the works and writings that our beloved St. Paul the Apostle handed down to us,"  Fr. Genaro O. Diwa, Minister for Liturgical Affairs of Manila Archdiocese, said in the invitation he sent in the name of the Cardinal.

A conspicuous presence in the cathedral was the Pauline congregations which derive their name and spirituality from the Apostle Paul, including the Pauline (Alberionian) Family. The Pastorelle Sisters and the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres sent delegates of their schools in several buses.

The opening rite was spearheaded by the Pauline congregations through their Pauline Year Team which was formed to oversee the various cultural, liturgical, and study programs for the Year of St. Paul. The Team has been working since last year. For the Mass, the "Paulines" served as choir, servers, ushers and usherettes, and hosts of the repast for the concelebrants.

Highlight of the Mass was the declaration of St. Paul Sanctuary in Makati City as one of the two Jubilee Churches in Manila. The Society of St. Paul has started to prepare the church to receive pilgrims during this year of grace.

 

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The Ordination to the Diaconate of Cleric Rogelio O. Magbanua, SSP on June 14, 2008 was an event with some “firsts.” It was the first time that an ordination was made in the seminary community, thanks to the new chapel which provided a fitting venue. It was also the first time that an ordination was done outside of Pasay and Makati . “Ogie” (as the ordinandus is fondly called), being a member of the Formation Community of Silang, chose to be ordained in his “home turf.” Thirdly, it was the first ordination for the ordaining prelate, Most Rev. Francisco de Leon, Auxiliary Bishop of Antipolo, consecrated Bishop not so long ago. The Bishop shared this detail with the faithful, and added that he felt at home, as many of the SSP priests were under him when he served as Rector of San Carlos Seminary years ago.
 
Visitors included the mother, siblings, relatives and friends of Rev. Ogie who hails from Hamtic, Antique. The Pauline Family congregations and institutes were well represented. Sisters and lay people in the neighborhood were glad to attend such rare happening as an ordination done so near.
 
In his short yet forceful reminder, Bishop de Leon reminded Ogie of the main responsibilities of the deacon: to preach the word, to help in the liturgy, to be zealous in works of charity, even when doing humble jobs.
 
In his word of thanks, the new Deacon expressed his appreciation for the Bishop, the visitors, the Pauline Family members, his SSP confreres, and especially the Silang community who made possible the holding of the ordination ceremony, its first ever. Then everybody proceeded to the seminary gym for a simple agape.