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One Holy Goal: March Like A Saint In This Sacred Mission Of Hope & Love

Dec. 02, 2023 02:52 PM

The image of Our Lady of La Naval to be brought out for the procession marking the Culmination of the Holy Rosary Month after the 3:00 P.M. solemn mass on October 28, 2023 (Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church)

In remembrance of the holy saints whose lives were devoted to God, Rev. Jesus Madrid Jr. addresses the congregation at the solemn mass at 3:00 PM on October 28, 2023, during the Culmination Month of the Most Holy Rosary, that to be with God should be our ‘focus and goal’ forever and ever. Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr., rector and parish priest, officiated the Holy Mass, which is concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Robert Arellano, LRMS, Rommel Draondon, Paul Medina, OCarm, and Franklin Villanueva.

Rev. Jesus Madrid Jr. delivered his homily before the faithful and the representatives donning their assigned saint costumes with a group picture with the clergy after the solemn 3:00 P.M. mass (Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church)

Prior to Halloween and All Saints Day (November 1), Reverend Madrid Jr. explained that the term ‘Halloween’ originates from the etymological root ‘Halo,’ which signifies ‘sacred.’For the love of God, he characterized this moment as a “time of hope” in which we will be granted a place in the haven with the divine beings if we learn to live a life that imitates their selfless and beneficent deeds. His invitation is thus, “Be sacred, not scary.” Instead of donning the creepy attire commonly associated with Halloween, Reverend Madrid Jr. advocates for devout individuals to adopt a lifestyle characterized by unwavering sanctity and joy, just as those saints did. He cited Pope Francis by saying, “Saints are not superheroes. They are regular people who never left God’s side after encountering Him and His love”. Ultimately, he described the prayer as an ‘important way’ of living a holy existence. Following this, he prescribed for the people to make time for prayer before starting a new activity, just as Jesus consistently began his day with a prayer.

The mass was followed by the awarding ceremony facilitated by the Formation Ministry to the eight participants identified as winners and runner-ups out of the thirty-seven participants from various ministries and organizations, respectively, whose representatives dressed up as the saints assigned to the group. The children of some of the church’s lay workers also participated. The winners were announced as follows:

ADULT DIVISION

BEST IN COSTUME

DPRM – Ruben Nacor (Male)

MBG – Mijuviel Jaenia Yuson (Female)

IST RUNNER UP

HDN BASILICA- Charles Jasper Maanyag (Male)

CWL- Daniela Ysabelle Triviño (Female)

KIDS DIVISION

BEST IN COSTUME

Skye Geronimo (Male)

Love Johanna Jaboli (Female)

 

1ST RUNNER UP

Duke Jules (Male)

Jaden Angel (Female)

The culmination of the celebration was marked by a procession of Our Lady of the La Naval and St. Dominic de Guzman, the founding father of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), who had received a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary instructing him to promote the observance of the Holy Rosary. The Feast of the Most Holy Rosary is observed annually on October 7, 1571, to commemorate the naval encounter between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire on that date. Christian Europe emerged victorious in this battle by adhering to St. Pope Pius V’s exhortation to recite the Rosary to ensure ultimate triumph.

Pray for us, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. We beseech St. Dominic de Guzman to intercede for us.

– Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM