Rome prayers to be heard in 5 Philippine languages

A series of three daily Masses in Rome will lead up to the Oct. 21 canonization of Visayan misson worker Pedro Calungsod.

While English and Latin will mainly be used in the Triduum or three-day Masses, five Filipino languages will be spoken during the part of “prayers of the faithful”, said Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, in a press briefing yesterday.

This will be the chance for devotees to hear Tagalog, Ilocano, Illongo, Waray, and Cebuano spoken, he said.

Meanwhile, Leyson said it is not certain whether the woman who was healed after her doctor invoked the intercession of Calungsod can attend the Rome rites.

The woman, whose identity is being kept under wraps until the canonization, has “severe asthma” and a heart condition.

“I would want her to be present for everyone to see her but it is not for me say whether she goes or not. I’m not a doctor,” said Leyson, the vice postulator of the cause of Calungsod’s sainthood.

The rigors of a long flight, crowds, walking long distances and special medical attention for her fragile condition are factors being carefully weighed, he said.

Leyson said he was concerned that the public and pilgrims view the canonization of Calungsod as more than an event of high ceremony.

He said this was a rare opportunity to answer “a call for all of us to be saints” and to deepen one’s faith.

Leyson said the Archdiocese was also concerned about respecting the privacy of the woman at the center of a Vatican-certified case of a “miracle” attributed to Calungsod.

The woman who suffered from hypoxic encephalopathy or lack of oxygen in the brain experienced “rapid recovery” after the doctor sought the intercession of Calungsod.

The doctor will be among the the delegates to Rome for the Vatican rites in St. Peter’s Square.

Leyson said it was natural to feel “curious” about the case but said this should not distract one from the central focus of the canonization, which is God’s love, the call to lead holy lives and the role of Calungsod, a Visayan teenager, as a “channel” of this grace.

The Triduum or three-day Masses will be held in Rome from Oct. 18 to 20 with different themes each day to prepare people spiritually.

Solemn vespers or chanting of liturgical hymns, a procession, and a Thanksgiving Mass will take place after the canonization rites.

The canonization Mass will start at 10 a.m. in Rome (5 p.m. Philippine time) and is expected to last for two hours.

“For those who can’t go to Rome, you’re not exempted from heaven. Whereever one is in the world, if he or she opens his heart and soul to God, we can go to heaven with Calungsod,” Leyson said.

On Oct. 18, the first day of the Triduum Masses will be held at the Basilica of St. Augustine. Archbishop John Du will preside with Archbishop Precioso Cantillas as preacher.

On Oct. 19, the Mass will be held at the Church of Gesu, the principal church of the Jesuits. Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo will be the presider while Archbishop Patricio Buzon will deliver the homily.

On Oct. 20, the Mass will be held at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will preside while the preacher will be Archbishop Orlando Quevedo. At 8 p.m. a vigil will be led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle at the Church of Sta. Pudenziana.

On Oct. 21, after the canonization, 6 p.m solemn vespers will be presided over by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

A Thanksgiving Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 22. will be presided by Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal while Agaña, Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron will deliver the homily.