100 infants baptized at start of 3-day preparation for 500th anniversary of Christianity

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma pours water over the head of a child during the baptism of 100 infants at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cebu City. Photo courtesy of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu Facebook page

CEBU CITY – A hundred infants were baptized on Sunday to mark the start of the three-day preparation for the 500th anniversary of the first Christian baptism in the country.

Cradled by their mothers, each received the sacrament through the bishops in a solemn ceremony held at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cebu City.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his homily, stressed the importance of baptism which frees one from original sin, incorporates them into the Catholic Church, and makes them sharers in Jesus Christ’s mission.

The Mass baptism was held on the second Sunday of Easter which marks the feast of the Divine Mercy.

“This day is very special to us. As blood and water gushed forth from the heart of Jesus, we are reminded of the importance of baptism and the Holy Eucharist,” the prelate said.

“To our dear parents, this is a day to remember. How privileged you are that your children will receive the sacrament today. Treasure this gift. Remember that your children come from God,” he added.

On April 12, there will be a Mass with confirmation of 100 people on the second day of triduum at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, Cebu.

The following day,  there will be a Holy Mass with adult baptism at the National Shrine of Our Lady Rule in Lapu-Lapu before the grand celebration of the 500th anniversary of the first baptism in the Philippines on April 14, in Cebu City.

On that day, there will be a reenactment of the first baptism in front of the Magellan’s Cross at Plaza Sugbo at 2 p.m. to be followed by a Pontifical Mass presided by Most Rev. Charles Brown, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines at the same venue.

Palma said Christian baptism is so important since it is the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.

“The moment we are baptized, we become children of God. What a great dignity, honor, and privilege. Baptism also makes us members of the Church, temples of the Holy Spirit, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven—all because of God’s mercy,” he said.

“May your children become good members of the community and the Church,” he added.

Aside from Palma, also present during Sunday’s Mass baptism were Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, Palo Archbishop John Du, and Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Antonio Rañola.

JE