Cebu cops tighten security, brace for 80k devotees for Calungsod canonization

Police have tightened security in at least two areas in Cebu, as they expect some 80,000 devotees to flock to the province Sunday to mark the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

 

Most of the devotees are expected to go to Ginatilan town, believed to be Calungsod's birthplace; and to Toledo City, radio dzBB's Cebu affilaite Orchids Lapincao reported on Saturday.

 

Cebu provincial police head Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador was quoted in the report as saying they are sending additional personnel to the two areas.

 

He also said they are tightening checkpoints to ensure the safety of the devotees and pilgrims.

 

Arrangements are also being made with the local government units of Ginatilan town and Toledo City to make sure the activities there on Sunday go smoothly.

 

Bishop pushes 'aggressive faith education' in Calungsod Triduum homily

 

Meanwhile, with the Philippines about to have its second saint this weekend, a Catholic bishop pushed for an aggressive "faith education" on various media platforms.

 

Speaking at the first of the Triduum Masses for Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas pushed such education on television, radio and the Internet.

 

"(M)any Christian churches invest in radio and TV programs that are designed for the instruction and formation of their members ―something the Catholic Church could intensify in her ranks," an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines quoted him as saying at the Mass in Rome. 

 

He particularly called for “more aggressive mass media faith education.”

 

The CBCP said some 1,000 people attended the first of the Triduum masses to be celebrated before Calungsod’s canonization on Sunday.

 

Palo Archbishop John Du was the main celebrant in the Mass, with nine other bishops and 38 priests concelebrating.

 

Also present were retired Archbishops Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales (Manila) and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal (Cebu).

 

Cantillas, a member of the National Commission for the canonization of Calungsod, also pointed out the pronounced need of young people for faith formation.

 

"We Catholics, I feel, have not done enough in this area, so I was calling for a massive and aggressive program for evangelization," he said in a separate interview with Church-affiliated YouthPinoy.

 

He added children "grow undernourished in the faith,” and may become prone to spiritual deadness because of little or no formation.

 

Also, he cited the need to address priests’ lack of support for catechetical work done in their parishes.

 

“When will the Philippine Church be ready to [give its] blood, meaning money or financial resources for the Catholic faith campaign?” he said.

 

“Considering the number of Catholics in the [Philippines], we are more.. It means that we could have more and spend more if we really are serious about knowing the faith,” he added.

 

Intensify Calungsod teachings, cbcp urges catholic schools

 

Earlier, the CBCP exhorted the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) to intensify teaching the life and faith of Calungsod among students.

 

“That is expected to all member-schools of CEAP, meaning, all the values promoted by the Catholic Church should also be promoted by the institution. That we can wish, knowing that indeed the young saint who was martyred has too much to offer and has a wonderful message to the youth,” CBCP President and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas. 

 

Calungsod was martyred on April 2, 1672. He was beatified by the late Pope Blessed John Paul II on March 5, 2000.

 

He will be canonized in Rome Oct. 21 by Pope Benedict XVI. He will be the second Filipino saint after Lorenzo Ruiz, who was canonized in 1987.

 

Palma said he hopes Catholic schools will prioritize the teaching of Calungsod’s life and works so students will learn about his virtues.

 

“Calungsod reminded the people of the importance of faith and even the importance of doing great sacrifices. Perhaps a young saint is a reminder that we too, are called to greatness,” he said. — ELR, GMA News