Camomot’s remains laid in museum

CEBU, Philippines — The last and most significant piece of Domus Teofilo (House of Teofilo) museum at Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City in southern Cebu was finally fitted yesterday with the interment of the exhumed remains of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.

The remains of the renowned Cebuano prelate was moved to the newly-opened museum that was built in his honor and this will be his permanent resting place.

Cebu Archbishop José Palma, in his homily, said the entire process, from his exhumation and examination to his transfer, is part of the ongoing cause for Camomot's beatification.

Before the interment rites, the 67-year-old prelate presided over the concelebrated Mass at 4 p.m. yesterday at the open ground behind the museum which stands inside the compound of the Daughters of Saint Teresa, the religious congregation that Camomot founded.

Speaking before a huge crowd, Palma said when several people gathered yesterday to take part of the event, it shows the unity and gratitude of many who believe and hope that Camomot will soon be raised in the altars of saints and holy men.

Camomot's remains were placed in a metal coffin.

These were earlier put in a fiberglass case for people to take a glimpse of him. But the bones were already placed together and covered with wax.

The public viewing was done since Wednesday evening until yesterday afternoon.

It was Wednesday morning when his remains were exhumed from his old grave inside the DST compound for examination.

Palma said the museum will soon be a witness to the many people who will flock there to offer prayers and remember the good works of the archbishop while some will visit to ask for his divine intercession.

Even if several decades have already passed since his death in 1988, Palma said his life and priestly ministry is very much relevant to the present times both to the faithful and to the clergy.

He said his timeless virtues bring a message to the people.

Palma recalled that Camomot has always been known for his great love and generosity to the less fortunate giving almost all he had for them.

Palma said God is the one glorified through the acts of holy people like Camomot.

He added his virtuous life and heroic deeds may also have touched people and renewed their lives drawing them back to God.

"(People may grow spiritually) to love God and to love other people... and to use their own gifts at the service of one another," he said.

After the Mass, Public Attorney's Office forensic expert Dr. Erwin Erfe, who headed the team that examined Camomot's body, shared the analysis of the forensic examination that happened on Wednesday after his body was exhumed.

"In opening the wooden casket, the remains were noted to be in a pristine condition, incorrupted by any form of infestation and insect activity. There was a remarkable absence of foul smell and odor of decay," he said.

In an interview with reporters, Erfe admitted that in his 15 years of practice, it was his first experience to open a casket and find the remains with no foul odor and not rotten by insects.

He recommended to take the rib bone near his heart to be used as relic which was allowed in the foresight of his beatification and canonization.

One of those who did not miss the event was The FREEMAN chairman Jose "Dodong" Gullas.

He was in awe and felt blessed to witness his interment as this would only be once in a lifetime experience.

He, too, is looking forward to Camomot becoming a saint taking pride of the prelate being a Cebuano.

Gullas shared that he was also one of those moved by Camomot with answered prayers.

Since then, he has devoted his time and shared some efforts for the ongoing cause such as the construction of the museum.

The museum is divided into two sections - the one closest to the door are the several galleries that hold the personal effects and biography of Camomot while at the most interior part or at the head is a chapel.

At the center of the chapel before the altar is where Camomot's remains are buried.  — /MBG (FREEMANNEWS)