Preparations underway for Calungsod sainthood

After a decade of researching the life of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is preparing to fly to Rome for the canonization of the first Visayan martyr.

“We now look forward to next year, 2012, when the Pope will call all cardinals to a consistory to gather their explicit assent to the canonization of Blessed Pedro. After that, the day we all are waiting for will be announced,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

Palma designated Vidal as the overall chairman of the activities related to Calungsod’s canonization.

The Cebu Archdiocese plans to step up its campaign to propagate the devotion to Calungsod.

To guide the people about Calungsod, Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson said a book is sold at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Shrine on D. Jakosalem Street, at National Bookstore outlets and at the Patria de Cebu.

Leyson, vice postulator of the Cause of the Blessed Calungsod, also clarified that the woman who recovered through Calungsod’s intercession didn’t die as some reports stated.

The miracle attributed to Calungsod happened in 2003 when a Visayan woman “rapidly recovered” from insufficiency of oxygen in her brain.

The woman had heart surgery but suffered complications in her brain due to lack of oxygen.

The physician who attended to the woman believed that she would die the following day.

The doctor then prayed to the Lord through the intercession of Calungsod so the patient will recover.

Four hours after the woman experienced a dysfunction in her brain, she recovered and had no sensory and motor impairments.

Leyson said the Church preferred to keep the identity of the woman confidential.

“It’s not about the person but what happened,” the monsignor said.

But Leyson said the woman will be among the delegates who will attend the canonization rites in Rome.

Last Monday, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of the decree concerning the miracle of Calungsod.

Palma said the promulgation was the end of the long process of finding and verifying a major miracle attributed to Calungsod.

Next year marks the 340th anniversary of the martyrdom of Calungsod.

Calungsod, a teenager from the Visayas, was among the first to serve on a mission organized by Fr. Diego de San Vitores to the Ladrones Islands, now known as Guam, on June 16, 1668.

On April 2, 1672, Calungsod and Fr. Diego were speared with a cutlass by two villagers in Tumhon, Guam, for catechizing and baptizing the natives.

One of the killers was the father of the baby they baptized against his will.

The bodies of Calungsod and the priest were thrown into the sea.

Calungsod was beatified last March 5, 2005 in Rome.

Like beatification, one miracle should be attributed to the intercession of Calungsod for him to be declared saint. The miracle can only be validated by the pope.

A group of medical experts, theologians and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints helped the Holy Father in deciding on Calungsod’s cause. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter