Masses for St. Pedro Calungsod feast on

THE novena leading to the feast of St. Pedro Calungsod yesterday began at the shrine dedicated in his honor in Cebu City.
Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Pedro Calungsod in the Archbishop’s Residence compound in D. Jakosalem Street, said this year’s feast would be the first time the Visayan martyr is invoked as a saint.
“This is the first feast where we call him a saint instead of beato. But the devotion still remains. He is the same Pedro,” he said.
The theme for this year’s feast is “Living the Ten Commandments in this year of faith with Saint Pedro Calungsod.”
Leyson said everyone should be reminded that the Christian faith has to be practiced and lived by.
“As we tell St. Pedro Calungsod, ‘help us to become saints like you to remind us of our goal.’ What is the use of our devotion if we do not end up in heaven? The devotion isn’t just a ceremony. We should imitate him,” he explained.
There will be two daily novena Masses starting yesterday until March 22. On the feast day, which falls on March 23 this year, Mass will be presided by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at 9:30 a.m.
Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will officiate the 7:30 p.m. Mass. A procession will follow after the 4 p.m. Mass.Apart from other forms of personal devotion, Leyson said the Mass should be given top priority.
Calungsod was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 21, 2012.