FILIPINOS CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF
SAN LORENZO RUIZ IN ROME
This photo was taken in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome after the 20th anniversary mass. Shown in the photo are Ambassador Leonida Vera and Fr. Erno Diaz with the pilgrimage participants from New York, New Jersey, California, Florida and Canada. On the first row from left to right: Winnie Bognot, Amelia Salazar, Ashley Rose Lideo, Elsie Griarte, Ofelia Imperio, Nelia Tamayo, Judith Puyat-Magnaye, John Skeels, Margie Skeels, Pachot Donato, Lina Myles, Cesar Imperio, Naemia Nogueira Ribeiro (Tour Guide). On the second row from left to right: Emilio Salazar, Ana Fe Lumba, Maria Natividad Villaluna, Virginia Bartolome, Angelita Villaluna, Lilia Gaduyon, Luella Ramos, Emerenciana Linggas, Jose Ramos, Amb. Leonida Vera, Fr. Erno Diaz, Emelia Zurita, Noralyn Allen, Josephine Jereos, Lourdes Velasco, Erlinda Musni, Victoria Angeles, Tita Dizon and Med de Jesus.
Twenty years after Pope John Paul II canonized the Philippines’ first native-born saint, a Holy Mass with Rev. Fr. Erno Diaz as Principal Celebrant was held in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on October 18, 2007 at 10 a.m. The group from Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York was joined by friends and supporters from other parts of the United States, Canada and Italy.
Giving a dose of Filipino-style religious fervor, the New York-based Chapel of San Lorenzo Choir sang during the Mass. The office of the Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, Ms. Leonida Vera facilitated all the necessary arrangements to hold the commemorative Mass in the Basilica.
Before the final blessing, devotees and supporters recited the prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz led by Mr. Jose Ramos, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz/Philippine Pastoral Center in New York.
PRAYER TO SAN LORENZO RUIZ
Beloved Lorenzo Ruiz, confronted with death, you proclaimed your readiness to die a thousand times for your Christian faith. Today the whole world admires your courage. We feel particularly proud of you as our brother.
And we pray: You, a family man, protect our families. Keep ‘emunited in love. You, who bore your sufferings with patience andresignation, intercede for the sick of mind and body; help them to receive the grace of God’s miraculous healing. You, who died in a foreign country, take care of Filipinos living and working in this country and in other parts of the world. You, an example of Christian fortitude, sustain our faith and make it spread and grow strong all around us. You, the Philippines’ first saint, be the country’s special protector. Unite us as one people; help us to work in harmony for development and progress; and give us peace. Amen.
The group from the United States and Canada led by Fr. Erno Diaz proceeded with the 10-day pilgrimage (Oct. 15-25) which headed to other Italian destinations like Assisi, Capri, Florence, Lanciano, Montecatini, Naples, Padua, Padre Pio’s place, Pompei, Sorrento, and Venice. In addition to celebrating Masses in the churches named after their favorite saints in various locations such as St. Anthony, St. Clare, St. Francis of Asisi, St. Mark and St. Peter the group witnessed the miracle of St. Patricia whereby a vial believed to be filled with her blood liquefies thirteen hundred years after her death. This visit to St. Patricia was highly recommended by Amb. Lenonida Vera. The group also visited the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano.
About San Lorenzo Ruiz
Filipinos regard themselves as Catholics, the largest Roman Catholic population in Asia. San Lorenzo Ruiz is the first saint who is truly Filipino, born and bred in the Philippines, who looks just like his Filipino brothers and sisters.
San Lorenzo Ruiz was born in the 1600s in Binondo, Manila but died in Nagasaki, Japan in 1637. He was a layman, married, and had two sons and a daughter. He was educated in the Dominican school, served as an altar boy and later was a helper and clerk-sacristan in the church of Binondo. He was also a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary.
An adverse event made him leave the Philippines in 1636. When he was in his late twenties or early thirties, he became involved or was accused of being involved in a criminal case, the circumstances of which are far from clear and he was afraid that, as a consequence of a trial or mistrial, he might be given a death sentence. Upon landing in Japan where Christians were being persecuted, he was arrested and imprisoned together with his companions and underwent inhuman tortures.
On September 22, 1637, Lorenzo Ruiz, Fray Domingo and their 14 companions were led up a hill overlooking the bay of Nagasaki. Lorenzo Ruiz valiantly confessed his Christian Faith. He told his executioner that he was ready to die for God and give himself for many thousands of lives if he had them. "Deny your faith and we will spare your life," his persecutors said. To which Lorenzo Ruiz answered, "I will never do it. I am a Catholic and happy to die for God. If I have a thousand lives to offer, I will offer them to God."
There they were hung upside down with their heads inside the well. Their temples were slit open to let blood drip slowly until they died either from loss of blood or asphyxiation. Many died after several days. Ruiz died last, on September 29, 1637. His body was cremated and the ashes thrown into the sea. Nowadays, he is known as the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith.
San Lorenzo Ruiz and his fifteen companions, martyred in the same persecution, were beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila on February 18, 1981 and elevated to full honors of the altar by canonization on October 18, 1987 in Rome. Their feast day is on September 28th. San Lorenzo Ruiz holds the distinction of being the first person beatified outside the Vatican. He also holds the honor of being the first Filipino saint, the "most improbable of saints," as Pope John Paul II described him during the canonization ceremony.
"The Lord gives us saints at the right time and God waited 350 years to give us this saint," the Holy Father then said. "It is the heroism which he demonstrated as a lay witness to the faith... which is very important in today's world. The witness of San Lorenzo is the testimony we need of courage without measure to show us that it is possible. Faith and life for Lorenzo was synonymous and inseparable. Life without faith would have been without value...he proved that sanctity and heroism are there for anybody and the final victory is made to size for each one of us."
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CHAPEL CHOIR PERFORMS SPECIAL CONCERT IN ROME
This photo was taken at the Santa Pudenziana Church in Rome before the special concert. On the first row from left to right: Cecille Dacudao, Cora Haguisan, Bibi Ferrer-Uy and Joanne Canicula. On the second row from left to right: Armel Martinez and Joy Uy. On the third row from left to right: AJ Camacho, Jason Duterte, Gerry Ortizo, Lino Siason Macky Salcedo and Lino Siason.
The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir Ruiz Choir performed at a special concert dubbed “Sanlibong Buhay” (A Thousand Lives) at Sentro Pilipino in the Santa Pudenziana Church in Rome on October 18th at 6 p.m. The successful event enhanced the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz, supplementing the morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Below was the programme:
Sanlibong Buhay (words Arboleda, Francisco/music Francisco/arr. Agatep)
Sa ‘Yo Lamang (words Borres, Gan, Francisco/music Francisco)
Sapagka’t ang Diyos ay Pag-Ibig (Magalon, Jr.)
Maging Akin Muli (Aquino)
Be Not Afraid A. Martinez, soloist (Dufford/arr Turney)
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Cayabyab)
You Raise Me Up (Graham, Lovland/arr Emerson)
Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika (Palmares)
Usahay C. Dacudao, soloist (Gonzales)
Ikaw A. Martinez, J. Duterte, soloists (words Canseco/music Ocampo)
This is the Moment J. Duterte, soloist (words Wildhorn/music Bricusse/arr Salter)
Impossible Dream J. Duterte, soloist (Leigh/Darion)
September (White/ Mckay/ Willis/arr. Brymer)
Dancing Queen (The Best of Abba) B. Ferrer-Uy/C. Dacudao, soloists
Medley (arr Machuff),
· I Have a Dream (Andersson/Ulvaeus),
· Mamma Mia (Andersson/Ulvaeus/Anderson),
· S.O.S. (Andersson/Ulvaeus/Anderson),
· Thank You for the Music (Andersson/ Ulvaeus),
· Dancing Queen (Andersson/Ulvaeus/Anderson)
The Chapel Choir is directed by Ms. Cora Haguisan. The following members of the Choir joined the special concert in Rome: Joanne Canicula, Joy Uy (Alto); AJ Camacho, Jason Duterte, Gerry Ortizo, Lino Siason (Bass); Cecille Dacudao, Bibi Ferrer-Uy (Soprano); Armel Martinez, Macky Salcedo (Tenor).
Father Diaz, director of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York, collaborated with Father Romeo Velos, Chaplain of the Sentro Pilipino in Rome on the goodwill concert. It is the desire of Father Diaz that the New York chapel and the Roman Sentro Pilipino would eventually establish a ‘twinning.’
