Are young Filipinos ready for Calungsod's sainthood?
During the celebration of the fiesta of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City, last Monday, March 5, Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson told the faithful to prepare their spirits for the blessed’s canonization.
It would be a pity if the occasion came and went and people would not experience the grace it brings, he said.
Those materially wealthy as well as the resourceful are finding ways to fund a pilgrimage to the Vatican as delegates to the canonization rites that Pope
Benedict XVI will lead.
Whether you go to Rome or not, here are additional ways you can prepare yourself for Blessed Pedro Calungsod ’s canonization.
1. Be familiar with Blessed Pedro Calungsod 's biography.
The archdiocese is distributing green brochures. A comic book based on the martyr's story is available in religious goods stores like Catholic trade in the
main campus of the University of San Carlos. Extended reading is available in a book written by Monsignor Leyson and available at National Bookstore.
2. Join a pilgrimage to the Blessed Pedro Calungsod church in barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City, in Cebu’s midwest.
It’s the first church in Cebu named after the blessed. You can schedule your visit on a Saturday, when special prayers are offered to God through the beato in the church.
3. Find out how you can help complete the Cantabaco church, which is a work in progress.
You may donate what cash you can, or help in the parish’s fund raising efforts. Contact parish priest Russel Emmanuel Sungcad at 09164564081.
4. Make the prayer to Blessed Pedro Calungsod a part of your daily prayers.
Here is the full text:
“Blessed Pedro Calungsod , Young migrant, Student, Catechist, Missionary, Faithful friend, Martyr, you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity, by your courage in teaching the faith in the midst of hostility, and by your love in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel.
Make our troubles your own (here mention your request), and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace so that as we experience the help of heaven we may be encouraged to proclaim and live the Gospel here on earth. Amen.”
5. Spend your free time to do any of the things Blessed Pedro Calungsod did when he was alive.
Go on a mission trip. Study hard. Influence your friends to do what is good. Catechize those who are younger than you.
6. Stay updated about the programs related to Blessed Pedro Calungsod ’s canonization being initiated in the runup to Oct. 21 by the
Archdiocese of Cebu.
Be alert when announcements are made in church before the final blessing at Mass. Read the Sunday paper “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon.”
7. Make Blessed Pedro Calungsod known in your social networks.
Share links to YouTube videos of songs like the gozos to Blessed Pedro Calungsod or the hymn “Way Sukod”. Subscribe to the Blessed Pedro Calungsod pages on Facebook.
8. Pray for migrants like Blessed Pedro Calungsod
Millions of Filipinos are scattered across the globe. Somewhere in their hearts, even if they consciously deny it, they yearn for home. Pray for their wellbeing wherever they may be.
9. Befriend a priest.
Blessed Pedro Calungsod was a faithful friend to Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest. In this age when many people find priests irrelevant, give these spiritual fathers the human company that is also essential for them to fulfill their vocation.
10. Make Blessed Pedro Calungsod a patron of any organization (with consent of other members, of course)
For sure, your activities will be blessed by God through his intercession.
It would be a pity if the occasion came and went and people would not experience the grace it brings, he said.
Those materially wealthy as well as the resourceful are finding ways to fund a pilgrimage to the Vatican as delegates to the canonization rites that Pope
Benedict XVI will lead.
Whether you go to Rome or not, here are additional ways you can prepare yourself for Blessed Pedro Calungsod ’s canonization.
1. Be familiar with Blessed Pedro Calungsod 's biography.
The archdiocese is distributing green brochures. A comic book based on the martyr's story is available in religious goods stores like Catholic trade in the
main campus of the University of San Carlos. Extended reading is available in a book written by Monsignor Leyson and available at National Bookstore.
2. Join a pilgrimage to the Blessed Pedro Calungsod church in barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City, in Cebu’s midwest.
It’s the first church in Cebu named after the blessed. You can schedule your visit on a Saturday, when special prayers are offered to God through the beato in the church.
3. Find out how you can help complete the Cantabaco church, which is a work in progress.
You may donate what cash you can, or help in the parish’s fund raising efforts. Contact parish priest Russel Emmanuel Sungcad at 09164564081.
4. Make the prayer to Blessed Pedro Calungsod a part of your daily prayers.
Here is the full text:
“Blessed Pedro Calungsod , Young migrant, Student, Catechist, Missionary, Faithful friend, Martyr, you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity, by your courage in teaching the faith in the midst of hostility, and by your love in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel.
Make our troubles your own (here mention your request), and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace so that as we experience the help of heaven we may be encouraged to proclaim and live the Gospel here on earth. Amen.”
5. Spend your free time to do any of the things Blessed Pedro Calungsod did when he was alive.
Go on a mission trip. Study hard. Influence your friends to do what is good. Catechize those who are younger than you.
6. Stay updated about the programs related to Blessed Pedro Calungsod ’s canonization being initiated in the runup to Oct. 21 by the
Archdiocese of Cebu.
Be alert when announcements are made in church before the final blessing at Mass. Read the Sunday paper “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon.”
7. Make Blessed Pedro Calungsod known in your social networks.
Share links to YouTube videos of songs like the gozos to Blessed Pedro Calungsod or the hymn “Way Sukod”. Subscribe to the Blessed Pedro Calungsod pages on Facebook.
8. Pray for migrants like Blessed Pedro Calungsod
Millions of Filipinos are scattered across the globe. Somewhere in their hearts, even if they consciously deny it, they yearn for home. Pray for their wellbeing wherever they may be.
9. Befriend a priest.
Blessed Pedro Calungsod was a faithful friend to Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest. In this age when many people find priests irrelevant, give these spiritual fathers the human company that is also essential for them to fulfill their vocation.
10. Make Blessed Pedro Calungsod a patron of any organization (with consent of other members, of course)
For sure, your activities will be blessed by God through his intercession.
