Relic of St. John Baptist De La Salle to visit Lutopan

In observance of the centennial foundation of the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) Inc., a relic of St. Jean Baptist De La Salle will visit the De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College in Lutopan, Toledo City on Nov. 8.

This was announced last Friday by Genesa Paragados, president of DLS-ASMC during a press conference held at a coffee shop in Parkmall, Mandaue City.

St. Jean Baptist De La Salle is a French saint who founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and is the patron saint of Christian teachers.

The first Christian Brother school in the Philippines is the De La Salle College, now known as De La Salle University.  It was established in June 1911 through the efforts of nine Christian brothers from Europe and the United States.

The relic that will visit Cebu next month is the arm bone of St. La Salle.  The first class relic came all the way from Rome and will be visiting DLSP’s network of 17 Lasallian institutions throughout the country.

Lasallian schools include the De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon City, Metro Manila; De La Salle Canlubang in Biñan City, Laguna; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Malate, Manila; De La Salle Health Sciences Institute in Dasmarinas City, Cavite; De La Salle John Bosco College in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; De La Salle Lipa in Lipa City, Batangas; De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila; De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in Dasmariñas, Cavite, De La Salle University in Malate, Manila; Jaime Hilario Integrated School, La Salle in Bagac, Bataan; La Salle Academy in Iligan City; La Salle College Antipolo in Antipolo City, Rizal; La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City; La Salle University-Ozamic in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental; and University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

At 6 a.m. on Nov. 8, a caravan will kick off from Lutopan, Toledo City going to Lapu-Lapu City.

A welcome assembly coming from the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and the municipality of Hilongos, Leyte will await the arrival of the motorcade from Lutopan. The relic is expected to arrive at 9 a.m. via a private plane.

Short religious rites and military honors will be accorded the relic upon its arrival.

A motorcade back to Lutopan, Toledo City will follow.

The relic will be brought to the Lutopan Parish Church, where a Holy Mass will be held at 11 a.m..  After the Mass, a foot procession will take the relic to the chapel of the De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial School where a short program will be held.

The relic will stay in the chapel until Nov. 17. On Nov. 18, it is scheduled to go to De La Salle John Bosco College in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. /CONTRIBUTOR MALOU GUANZON-APALISOK