Planning matters to Marian Conference

The 11th Annual Marian Conference was successfully celebrated yesterday, May 20, 2017, around 1 o’clock in the afternoon in Ateneo de Davao University, High School Campus, Matina, Davao City.

The talks in the Conference and the gathering of the devotees of Mama Mary are an expression of the religiosity in Davao City which is patterned from religious festivals around the country like “Sinulog” in Cebu City. And like any other celebration, the conference, procession and the Holy Mass were a sight to behold with its different participants from the Archdiocesan Council of the Lay Apostolates and Integrated Movements (ACLAIM) of the Archdiocese of Davao.

From the conference, the procession followed joined by 45 processional carriages (carroza). Each community exerted effort in displaying their Marian image in their respective “carroza” which was beautifully ornamented with flowers and splendidly arranged lights. It ended at the San Pedro Cathedral with a Eucharistic Celebration at 7 pm.

Prior to the procession, a coordination meeting headed by Secretary to the ACLAIM, Mr. Eduardo B. Pacana was called for a final set-up and flow of the conference last Tuesday, May 16 at the conference hall of the Sacred Heart Parish, Obrero, Davao City. Msgr. Paul Cuison was also present as well as the members of ACLAIM.

During the meeting, important and relevant matters were discussed such as program flow, appointment of person in-charge of a particular task in the program, processional route, sound system and songs for the procession and liturgical mass, reminders for each parishioner who will join, and a lot more about the matter.

All these discussions definitely “target the purpose of the meeting which was to address concerns and clarify confusions,” said Mr. Pacana before the meeting progressed. Clearly, careful and organized planning paired with responsible people powered by the grace of God to serve were the important factors to the success of the event.

The Marian Procession which is held once a year on the 2nd to the last or last Saturday of May in the Archdiocese of Davao aims to honor Mary and to express the Davaoeños’ love to her.

Truly, Philippines is a Pueblo Amante De Maria, a nation in love with Mary! (Miklos Posadas | Volunteer)