The Archdiocese of Cebu is gearing up for the celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines in April.
On Easter (April 4), all parishes in the archdiocese will simultaneously open the celebration starting at 4 p.m. with the unveiling and blessing of the Jubilee Crosses and the reading of the Declaration of the Opening of Year of Grace.
In all Sunday Masses of every parish in Cebu, there will also be a renewal of baptismal vows and mass baptism. The first day of triduum (from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday) starts on April 11.
Holy Mass and baptism of 100 children starts at 9:30 a.m. of April 11 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.A motorcade will follow at 1 p.m., and then the opening of the 500 years of Christianity celebration Cebu exhibit at the SM City Cebu-North wing atrium at 4:30 p.m.
On April 12, there will be a Mass with confirmation of 100 people on the second day of triduum at 9 a.m. at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue.On April 13, there will be a Holy Mass with baptism at the National Shrine of Our Lady Rule in Lapu-Lapu at 9 a.m., followed by a motorcade around Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova at 1 p.m.
On April 14, there will be a reenactment of the first baptism in front of the Magellan’s Cross at Plaza Sugbo at 2 p.m. A pontifical Mass presided by Most Rev. Charles Brown at the same venue follows at 4 p.m.