A Saint for a day

It was a hot mid morning when the procession of Saints’ images, people of all ages dressed in Saints of their choice, and the faithful walked from the Abreeza Mall to the San Pedro Cathedral. This Parade of Saints was the culmination of the 9-day Gallery of Saints activity of the archdiocese.

The traffic was surprisingly less than usual. As we passed by traffic aides, some greeted us with smiles or a “good morning”. One white-haired trafficker even reached out for the hand of Fr. Ritsche Gamaya for a blessing.

The younger altar boy alternated with the older boy in carrying the Cross.

In between our prayer of the Holy Rosary, back, to front, and to back again, marshals handed ice water. Photographers also ran every now and then ahead of the procession to document the event. All these done unobtrusively.

The parade was solemn. As we Pinoys are wont to do, I would presume that jeep passengers made the sign of the Cross as we passed by.

Before the mass, all in Saints’ costumes were invited to sit along the center aisle. Two girls, maybe barely four and six year olds, were in St. Faustina costumes – veil, long sleeves and all! All these young saints-to-be were so adorable and so behaved during mass.

Like celebrities, selfie lovers took pictures with and of us.

Some reflections
The event enabled me to fast on my tongue. How can I, standing at the shaded part of the parking lot, complain of the heat? Maan, and all the team members, some already dripping in sweat, were working around non-stop. Maan even invited us seniors to wait inside the air conditioned DXGN car.

While praying the Sorrowful mysteries, I realised that my discomforts were too minor as compared to JESUS’ painful walk for me to Calvary.

The event was a gift from GOD. All in that one day, I was surrounded with kindness. From the guards who allowed us the use of the comfort rooms even when the mall was still close, to the event team, to the people with us and along the way, to the cathedral toilet watcher, and to our church seat mates.

In that walk, GOD graced me to be:

an evangeliser – I believe in the Saints and I bow to the will of GOD through the Catholic Church;

an intercessor – GOD made it possible that every step of my 70-year-old legs were for all the people around me, both living and dead;

an instrument of change – GOD changed my priorities and preferences, so will HE, to those who seek.

I am sure that there are fruits in the hearts of all who joined. And like me, they are looking forward to next year’s bigger Gallery and Parade of Saints.

Thank you LORD JESUS for all YOUR Saints. Thank you St. Elizabeth of Hungary for inspiring me.

With all you Saints, always, to GOD be all glory! (Bella A. Sarenas)