Jubilant Parishioners of San Lorenzo Ruiz Gather for Worship and Sacrifices

Wednesday, September the 27th marks the most awaited day for the parishioners of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Don Marcelino, a remote town in the province of Davao Occidental. The travel was fun and strenuous in a way because you have to go through the long and winding road that traverse from one mountain to the next. The rolling hills and the aesthetics of the ocean make the trip fun and exciting though.

The parish holds two masses during the day. The first one was presided by Rev. Fr. Kristian Peter Edwin Dorilag DCD who is the Rector of St. John Paul II Seminary in Digos City. With him at the altar was Rev. Fr. Richard Laquinon DCD, assistant parish priest of Sto. Rosario Parish Church in Malita and Rev. Fr. Rogelio Albite who is the parish priest of San Lorenzo Parish in Don Marcelino.

Fr. Kristian Peter, in his homily started off by telling a story about how he came to know San Lorenzo Ruiz in his childhood. He described him as the first saint he had known as a child. In the course of his homily he asked the faithfuls to become steadfast in their faith, to stand up for the church and defend their faith. That means to become prepared to take up pains, hurts and frustrations because that will lead you to a communion in the sufferings of St. Lorenzo Ruiz who professed his faith over and over again while being persecuted.

The second mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Consorcio Lopez DCD, the diocesan procurator and parish priest of Church of San Isidro Labrador in Hagonoy. He was joined by Rev. Fr. Kim Cossid, the parish priest of Sto. Rosario Parish Church in Malita. Leaving the pulpit in order to get closer to the listening parishioners, Fr. Lopez started his homily by asking, “Are we ready to take the persecutions and die just as St. Lorenzo Ruiz did?” He recalled the story of St. Lorenzo Ruiz not choosing to save his life, instead publicly professed his faith to God and to his church amidst the persecutions. He then asked, “Where did he get that strong faith?” He explained that: to Lorenzo, it was clear to him who his God was, who he believes in. This time he recalled a story about Thomas who did not believe Christ who appeared before him on the day of resurrection. He needed to touch him and his fresh wounds before he was able to finally say it was his Lord who appeared before him.

The offertory was quite beautifully different. I have never seen one that leaves the pews half empty because almost everyone stood up to offer their gifts and their produce. This is evidently a “giving church” in my thoughts. And before the mass concluded they have this culture of giving their voluntary gift and drops them into the boxes placed in the front row. This time, we see kids lovingly dropped their love gifts, seniors who generously set aside this gift to offer and families coming upfront to drop their generous contributions. They all understood that by starting little each day, they will be able to build their church building which is nearly completed.

The banquet has been prepared for the guests and the parishioners to share. They have put up some tents that represents each zone and the GKKs involved. There are no more social activities after the luncheon fellowship because they have finished all the religious rites, sports events and socio-cultural activities the day before the fiesta which leave the parishioners to just enjoy the rest of the day after the mass. (Blaze Cantaros, SJP SocCom, Sta Cruz)