The cause for the sainthood of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot

Palma recalls Camomot: ‘God is in the heart’

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma restated before Catholic faithful yesterday what Cebuano archbishop Teofilo Camomot once said when he was still alive: “God is in the heart.”

“Mao na nga atong buksan ang atong kasing-kasing alang sa Ginoo (That’s why we have to open our hearts to the Lord). We should have an intimate relationship with God so that we will get closer and closer with God,” Palma said.

Palma officiated the thanksgiving mass yesterday at the Sta. Teresa de Avila Chapel in Valladolid, Carcar City to mark the 106th birth anniversary of Camomot, a candidate for sainthood.

Palma also led the blessing and inauguration of the chapel that he described as “a beautiful church.”

“We are in a beautiful church ug gipahinumduman kita that this church is a symbol of us, beautiful people,” he said.

Rev. Ma. Louella Grace Buscato, superior general of the Daughters of Sta. Teresa, thanked everyone who joined the celebration, especially the donors and benefactors in the construction of the chapel.

DST is the congregation founded by Camomot 60 years ago.

Also as a sidelight, Palma and Buscato gave a plaque of recognition to The Freeman chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas and his wife, Nena, for their generous and exemplary contributions to the construction of the chapel.

The celebration yesterday was made special with the attendance of Palma and about 90 other priests, bishops, nuns, and monsignors.

The journey towards Camomot’s sainthood remains a winding road. Camomot still has yet to be declared as “venerable,” then as “blessed,” before being conferred the title of a “saint.”

The cause for Camomot’s sainthood included the submission of a 522-page “Positio” last week to Rome-based postulator, Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR.

Father Mhar Balili, who is on top of the cause of sainthood for Camomot, earlier explained that the Positio summarizes the heroic virtues of the Cebuano prelate.

The Positio includes testimonies of 45 witnesses, written documents related to Camomot, his official biography, and synthesis on why he should be declared as a saint of the Catholic Church.

If declared as venerable, one miracle is needed for Camomot to be declared as blessed, and one more miracle is needed for him to be declared as saint.

Meanwhile, in his homily yesterday, Palma also said that the churches in Cebu are one with the nation in praying for deliverance from the threat of the COVID-19.

He said that people should be more powerful amid such threat.  JMD (FREEMAN)