Inquirer Visayas
St. Therese relic puts aside Biliran rivalry
By Malou Guanzon-Apalisok
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:26:00 03/15/2008
NAVAL, Biliran – Top government officials and clergy recently closed ranks to extend a grand welcome for the relic of St. Therese of Lisieux, an occasion that momentarily put aside the intense political rivalry in Biliran.
Sixteen pump boats with colorful buntings joined the fluvial parade on Feb. 23 that took the relic from Naval to Calubian town, northwest of Leyte. It was part of the program organized by the Diocese of Naval, headed by Bishop Filomeno Bactol, local government units, state colleges and universities, and lay organizations.
The relic is on its second visit to the Philippines from France for a three-month pilgrimage co-organized by the Military Ordinariate.
Bactol led welcome activities when the relic arrived in Naval at noon. A festive program put together by students and officials of the Catholic School of Naval and the state-run Naval Institute of Technology drew thousands of devotees, some waiting inside the Naval Cathedral as early as 9 a.m.
Political conflict
The Espinas are acknowledged as the political lords but their mayoral candidate in Naval suffered a stunning defeat in the hands of Susan Parilla in May 2007. Parilla is the widow of Gov. Danilo Parilla, who was killed in September 2006 by an assailant identified with the Espinas. The political family has consistently denied any link to the murder.
Observers say Susan’s victory was due in part to “enlightened” parishioners of the Naval Diocese, headed by Bishop Bactol. During Masses held within the campaign period, Bactol and diocesan priests had given reflections on social issues, such as electoral fraud, political dynasty, and graft and corruption, to parishioners.
In December last year, the bishop was accused of sexual misconduct by a former American missionary who used to work in the diocese. Sources in Naval say a politician was behind the attack.
Mayor Parilla joined more than 1,000 devotees, including students and school officials, in welcoming the Church “dignitary” at the gate of the Naval Cathedral. Gov. Rogelio Espina was absent as he was reportedly in the United States, but his family joined the Mass.
‘Unifying factor’
Edita Genson, president of the Naval Institute of Techonology, said she “heaved a sigh of relief” to see the Espina family and Mayor Parilla together at the cathedral. Hopefully, she said, their presence before the relic of the saint would ease political tension and bring about unity.
The relic came from Tacloban City, where church officials led by Bishop Julio Palma of the Archdiocese of Palo had organized similar activities.
A reliquary weighing 250 kilos carried the bone of St. Therese in a plastic, transparent encasement. As it inched its way toward the cathedral, students waved flags while a brass band played.
After the Mass officiated by Bactol, the relic was taken to the port for the fluvial parade.
The Philippine Navy’s BRP Bienvenido Salting (PG-112) carried it from Leyte. Bactol and diocesan priests, including the official entourage from Manila and some 100 devotees, boarded the vessel for the 30-minute parade across the Strait of Biliran. It reached Calubian at around 3 p.m. where some 5,000 people led by Mayor Hazel Po waited eagerly.
When the boat docked, another festive program reeled off. Young students in colorful costumes danced the “lubi-lubi” while hoisting images of the Virgin Mary and St. Therese.
A procession brought the relic to the Our Lady of Fatima parish church, where Bactol celebrated Mass.
Worried for the young
In his homily, Bactol noted that many young people welcomed St. Therese in her visit to Tacloban, Biliran and Calubian, a sign that “nabalaka si Santa Teresita (local name of St. Therese) sa mga batan-on (St. Therese is worried for the young).”
They have become addicted to drugs and sex, which have caused them to stray away from the Church, he said.
“Young people have become lost, and stopped going to church,” he said in Cebuano.
Bactol urged the devotees to pray for the country and follow the saint’s spirituality which, he said, was based on love. “Love in action is charity,” he said.
The relic was later brought in a motorcade to Obispo village, site of the diocesan shrine in honor of St. Therese. Bactol again presided over a Mass attended by some 500 people. A fireworks display was held later. The devotees held vigil, meditated on the 14 Stations of the Cross, and shared faith experiences in a brief program.
Po said the visit had shown that church and state officials could work together. She said she hoped the national government would help Calubian in improving its infrastructure facilities, like the repair of roads.
At 6:30 the following morning, Bactol again officiated Mass to bid farewell to the relic, which was to be moved to Ormoc City for a four-hour boat trip to Cebu City.
Overwhelming response
Fr. John Brillante, executive director of the second visit of the relic of St. Therese to the Philippines, said he was overwhelmed by the community response. The Order of Carmelites, the congregation of St. Therese, does not have a monastery in the area, he said.
He praised Rey Martinez, founder of the shrine, for building a chapel, life-size statues in the Last Supper, and the Stations of the Cross, including a giant image of the Virgin Mary.
Brillante said he expected to see “formation” happening in the area, where people not only recite novenas but also live out the faith, as the French saint did during her time.
|
