13 Cebu churches to open ‘Holy Doors’ to start commemoration of 500th Christianization of PH

CEBU CITY –– “Holy doors” in 13 historic churches in Cebu will be opened simultaneously on Sunday, April 4, to mark the start of the year-long celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the country.

Anyone who passes through the Holy Doors, and who recently went to confession, receives Holy Communion, and prays for the intercession of the Holy Father and the Church, will receive plenary indulgence or complete remission of all temporal punishments due to sins, according to Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairperson of the Cebu archdiocese’s committee on the liturgy.

While only cathedrals have Holy Doors, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma designated 12 other parishes in Cebu as “Jubilee churches” so more people can receive God’s mercy and graces.

On April 14, a reenactment of the first Christian baptism on Philippine soil will be made at Plaza Sugbo, located between the Cebu City Hall and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

The park is where Magellan’s Cross is located.

At 4 p.m., a Pontifical Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles John Brown, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, in front of the kiosk that houses the cross planted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan upon his arrival in Cebu in 1521.

Several other bishops from different Philippine dioceses will join Brown.

National government officials will attend the celebration. President Duterte is expected to send a representative to the event.

Aside from commemorating the first baptism in the Philippines, April 14 also marks the 500th year of the Sto. Niño arrival.

While physical activities are allowed, the archdiocese has set alternative plans in case of stringent restrictions if COVID-19 cases surge in Cebu.

LZB