Vidal takes a break from dawn Mass

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will take a rest from celebrating the traditional “Misa de Gallo” this year, said Monsignor Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese.

Vidal used to celebrate the mass in different churches across Metro Cebu, but Vidal reportedly told the priests who attended their retreat the other week that he now finds it difficult to wake up at dawn in time for the mass. The Archbishop is now 78 years old.

Dakay said Vidal had asked him to take over his place.

Except on December 18, 19 and 22 wherein the mass will begin at 4 am, the Misa de Gallo usually starts as early at 4:30 am and will run starting tomorrow until December 24.

“Iyang gipamahayag dihang nagkatigom ang kaparian sa miaging semana nga sorry kuno kaayo nga dili siya makapadayon pagmisa sa kaadlawon kay maglisod na kuno siya pagbangon sayo sa buntag, ako maoy iyang gitudlo nga momisa,” Dakay said.

Last year, Vidal celebrated the dawn mass in the poorest parishes of the Cebu Archdiocese. This year, he was supposed to celebrate at different Holy Shrines in Metro Cebu.

Dakay said the original schedule of dawn masses will push through. It will begin tomorrow at the National Shrine of our Lady of the Rule in Lapu-Lapu City. The next day, Dakay will celebrate the mass at the National Shrine of the Saint Joseph Parish in Mandaue City.

Dakay will then celebrate the mass at the Our Lady of Guadalupe in barangay Guadalupe on December 18 and at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in barangay Poblacion in Minglanilla town on December 19.

On December 20 and 21, Dakay will celebrate the mass at the Our Lady of Lourdes in Punta Princesa and at the Our Lady of Fatima in Basak, Mandaue City, respectively.

Dakay would then go to the Archdiocesan Shrine in San Roque, barangay Mambaling on December 22 and to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Arnold Janssen in barangay Basak San Nicolas on December 23.

On December 24, Dakay will be at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Beato Pedro Calungsod at the Archbishop Residence Compound.

Dakay encouraged the Catholic faithful to attend the dawn masses not only at the holy shrines but also at the different parishes. — Elly T. Bolonos/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)