San Vicente Ferrer Chapel: inaugurated and blessed
Before the break of dawn on December 12, 2015, the people flocked in the ground of San Nicolas de Tolentino Church to fetch the first class bone-Relic of San Vicente Ferrer from St. Ezekiel Moreno Monastery of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns.
The roaring sounds of motor vehicles started to fill the air as the motorcade started to tread the road going to Tangub, Bacolod City. As per schedule, at 7 am, the pilgrims with motor vehicles lined up outside the monastery to accompany the Relic of San Vicente Ferrer that looks like welcoming a dignitary. A special mounted glass casket was the place were the relic was placed. There were more than 30 vehicles that joined in the motorcade. It made a solemn movement and due respect while treading the thoroughfares of the city. While the relic was being paraded in the streets of Bacolod City, a car with sound system played the chant in honor of Señor San Vicente Ferrer.There was a real testimony how the pilgrims love and venerate the relic of our beloved miraculous saint. This was participated by the different organizations of the Church, both young and old and other devotees outside of the parish.
When the motorcade with the relic of San Vicente Ferrer arrived in Ayala North Point, the pilgrims of more than 200, welcomed our beloved relic-saint with joy by waving their white handkerchief and sining the hymn of Señor San Vicente Ferrer. In a prayerful mood, the almost kilometer walk to the Church was a glimpse of a true expression of love and piety. Al pilgrims braved the scorching heat of the sun without any complain or even an expression of discontentment. Simply, they offered every step to San Vicente.
It was almost 8 in the morning when the pilgrimage and motorcade arrived in the Church. The relic was placed on the side altar of the Church for people to pray and ask intercession from the Saint.
The Eucharistic Celebration presided by the beloved Bishop of Kabankalan, Most Rev. Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD together with Augustinian Recollect Fathers started at 9 am. In his homily, he expounded the meaning of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy which was declared on December 8, 2015 and will close on December 8, 2016. He said, “usually, jubilee celebration is after a century or centuries. It is for this reason that after the millennium celebration, Pope Francis has to declare the EXTRAORDINARY Jubilee Year of Mercy though it was only few years ago that we celebrated a jubilee. There is a posing challenge on our merciful commitment like Jesus by asking forgiveness and by forgiving others. It is in following Christ that we can achieve the real meaning of Mercy”. Before the final hymn, the hymn of Señor San Vicente Ferrer was sung while Bishop Buzon incensed the relic of the saint. Right after the mass, the people proceeded to the newly-reconstructed chapel in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer and the Multipurpose hall. After the blessing, the Prior Provincial, Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR delivered his message “that the place is not merely a building but a holy place where we can strengthen our faith and encounter God”. Likewise, the Local Prior of the Community, Rev. Fr. Sixto M. Bitangjol, OAR added some messages with an emphasis on “not merely on the action of “palapak” because we are in need of physical healing. There’s a need to heal our spirit and our relationship with God and the saint”, he quipped. Rev. Fr. Joseph Dexter D. Palagtiosa, OAR, Rector of the Diocesan of San Vicente Ferrer expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the benefactors,sponsors and those who contributed in many ways to the success of the event of the day and also reminded the faithful about the so many miracles made by the Saint both recorded and unrecorded. It has continued his intercession not only to locals of Talisay City, Negros Occidental but also outside the parish jurisdiction. After all the activities, the morning activity ended with the “palapak” starting from Bishop Buzon, Prior Provincial, Fr. Selma, priests and the faithful pilgrims. Packed lunch was served to all pilgrims while the Bishop and the clergy went to a CSNT-R Elementary AVR were lunch was prepared.
In the evening, the “Dinner -for- a -Cause” was a successful event with the presence of the celebrities from the PInoy Big Brother Housemates, twin sisters, Jab and Jel Mendoza. The night ended with people gladly looking forward to see another day to visit the Relic of San Vicente Ferrer.
San Vicente Ferrer, pray for us!
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