CEBU, Philippines - The Basilica del Sto. Niño celebrates the feast of the Our Lady of Lourdes today, February 11, with a Holy Mass at 4 p.m. with Rector Rev. Fr. Jonas M. Mejares, O.S.A. as main celebrant, which will be followed by a solemn procession.
The Novena Masses for the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes started last February 2, spearheaded by the Cofradia de la Virgen de Lourdes, headed by the organization’s president, Nena B. Gullas.
The Cofradia also commissioned new vestments for the Blessed Virgin to prepare for today’s celebration.
Among the highlights of the novena was the “Pagkanaug sa Birhenâ€, a reenactment held last February 9 of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France.
Rev. Fr. Romanico O. Cañon, O.S.A. was the main celebrant for the Novena Mass. His co-celebrants were Rev. Fr. Jonas M. Mejares, O.S.A.; Prior Rev. Fr. Richard L. Pido, O.S.A., Rev Fr. Ian Narcissus C. Openia, O.S.A., Rev. Fr. Leonard B. Realiza, O.S.A., Rev. Fr. Achilles G. Secio, O.S.A. and Rev. Fr. Tito D. Soquiño, O.S.A.
The reenactment of the “Pagkanaug sa Birhen†was a tradition started by Don Juan and Doña Andrea Rivera, parents of Gullas matriarch Inday Pining Rivera Gullas.
“I always tell my wife Nena that I get teary-eyed every time I witness the reenactment of the Pagkanaug sa Birhen, a tradition started by my grandparents. I can say without fear of contradiction that this is the only reenactment of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to St. Bernadette,†said Jose “Dodong†Gullas, The FREEMAN chairman and University of the Visayas Executive Vice President. — /JPM (FREEMAN)