100-day countdown starts for Calungsod canonization

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Thousands of people are expected to go to the Fuente Osmeña Circle here today for the kickoff of the 100-day countdown to the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

The event will formally start with a Mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño at 2:30 p.m.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the Archdiocese of Cebu came up with the 100-day countdown “to sustain the excitement of the people” and for them to know more about the Visayan martyr. The archdiocese’s Commission on Social Communications is in-charge of the event.

“And to really end up with a great and memorable celebration, we want to come up with a very relevant and very challenging event for the young, missionaries, OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), and the lay faithful,” said Palma in a press conference Thursday.

Palma said devotees and religious commissions in Manila will also hold their own official countdown to Calungsod’s canonization on Oct. 21.

At present, Palma said they are busy in determining the face and body for Calungsod’s prototype.

Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who will choose the image being the cardinal, said they might finalize the image of Calungsod by August. This image will then serve as the image for the sculpture that will be brought to Rome for the canonization.

“We want the face of a young man, without shoes, wearing white pants, mu-show g’yud niya as a catechist. The sculpture should capture the personality or virtues of Pedro Calungsod,” Palma said. – Freeman News Service