CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of Catholic faithful have swarmed the streets to welcome the relics of newly-canonized popes, St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII, as they were brought by motorcade from the Iloilo International Airport to the chapel of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City early morning yesterday.
At 11 a.m., Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop of Jaro, celebrated a Holy Mass at the university chapel to welcome the relics of the papal saints.
The relics, a blood and hair strand from St. John Paul II and a cassock, or soutane, worn by St. John XXIII, will be enshrined at the University of San Agustin chapel for the entire duration of the three-day visit from May 20 to 22.
For many Ilonggo faithful, it is considered a "revisit" for Pope John Paul II, who made his papal visit in Iloilo City in 1981. "It was a very rare privilege for us in Iloilo to have been visited by a saint," Lagdameo was quoted to have said. A Holy Mass was also celebrated around 4 p.m. yesterday while another at 7 a.m. was scheduled on the second and third days.
The Archdiocese of Jaro is also inviting the public to attend the Catechesis on the Veneration of the Saints and their Relics. Yesterday, it was around 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.; 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on May 21; and 7:30 a.m. on May 22. At 6:30 p.m., Vespers with the Saints was prayed in the chapel on the first and second days of the visit.
The public was also reminded that the relics will be available for public veneration the whole day until 9 p.m. on May 20 and 21. On May 22, a closing Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. before the relics are brought to the Iloilo airport at 10:30 a.m.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the relics of Saints John Paul II and John XXIII are brought to Iloilo, courtesy of the Office of the Vice Postulation for the cause for canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz which, on the occasion of Pope John Paul II's canonization, has organized the Public Exposition and Veneration of the Pope's relics.