Clergy and Consecrated Persons Celebrated a Blessed Hearts’ Day

The Clergy and the Consecrated Persons gathered for the exclusive moment with the visiting Incorrupt Heart of St. Padre Pio, October 16, 2018. There were about a thousand registered guests from the DADITAMA sub-region and the neighboring dioceses outside Davao. It was the third day of the visit of the incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio which already had made its way to Ateneo de Davao University and the San Pedro Cathedral for a welcome ceremony and public veneration since its arrival a couple of days ago.

The day at the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) started with a morning prayer and Holy hour.

There were three conferences: The first one was given by Rev. Fr. Jojo Gonda, Rector of St. Padre Pio National Shrine, on the Person, Priesthood and Spirituality of St Padre Pio. The second was about Renewed Servant Leaders (Clergy) for the New Evangelization given by Most Rev. Buenaventura M. Famadico, D.D., Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Clergy.

A concelebrated Mass happened at 12 noon with Bishop Buenaventura presiding.

The third conference followed after the mass with Sr. Happy of the Daughters of St. Anne about Renewed Servant Leaders (Consecrated Persons) for the New Evangelization.

After the talks, Veneration and Confessions were done simultaneously which lasted for a couple of hours. The Incorrupt Heart then was being prepared to be transported back to the Cathedral, stopping at the chapel for another intimate moment and closing ceremony witnessed by the heads of the clergy, the deacons and some members of the Movement of Padre Pio in Davao. Later on, the Relic was made ready for another convoy back to the cathedral, stopping at the Pink Sisters on its way down.

Fr. Ronald Lunas, the Vicar of the Clergy of the Diocese of Digos delivered the thanksgiving message before the mass concluded. He greeted everyone a “Blessed Hearts’ Day!” explaining that it’s no coincidence that as we welcome the incorrupt heart of St. Pio, we also celebrate on this very day the memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to whom Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart.

Fr. Lunas then recalled that some years back during the planning of the Year of the Clergy, Msgr. Nonoy Masculino, the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on the Clergy mentioned that it was decided to have Padre Pio as the symbol of the year-long celebration. Being both priest and religious (and has many devotees among us Filipinos), it was decided that a special image of him be made to be brought to the dioceses in the Philippines. But we got more of what was hoped to be brought over; it is not just an image of him but his incorrupt heart. He said that Padre Pio, being religious and priest is already and aptly a model for the priests and the religious. His incorrupt heart is a further reminder of both the consecration and ministry. In the end, Fr. Bong Lunas addressed everyone and said, “There are not only two hearts here, but many: Jesus’, Padre Pio’s, yours and mine. Indeed, it is a Blessed Hearts’ Day”. (Blaze Q. Cantaros | Sugid SoCCom)