Calungsod novena starts on Oct. 12

In preparation for the canonization of the first Visayan saint, a novena mass is scheduled to run at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod starting on Oct. 12.

It will end on Oct. 20, a day before the martyr is formally proclaimed a saint in Vatican City.

Devotees of soon-to-be proclaimed Saint Pedro Calungsod can participate in the Holy Rosary and confessions preceding the novena mass.

The live telecast of the canonization can be viewed at the Spiritual Pastoral Formation Year (SPFY) House inside the Archbishop Residence.

Church officials earlier announced that aside from the American Catholic channel, EWTN, the only channel allowed by the Vatican to broadcast live via satellite is the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN). CCTN is available on free TV.

On the Oct. 21, the film portraying the life of Pedro Calungsod be simultaneously have premiere showing in the Cebu Archbishops residence and Rome.

The film is produced by the CCTN.

The activities prepared by the Archdiocese of Cebu and the Archdiocesan Shrine is aimed to give chance for those unable to personally witness the religious ceremony in Rome.

Over a thousand Cebuanos are flying to Rome to attend the canonization.

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 in the Western Pacific, Marianas, on June 16, 1668.

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