Parishioners told, make San Lorenzo Parish a shrine

The Archdiocese of Davao will strive to make the current San Lorenzo Parish in Talomo a shrine soon.

In his homily in time for the 34th fiesta celebration of the parish, Davao Archbishop Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D. said it is his challenge to the parishioners to transform the parish into a shrine.

“This will be a challenge to the parishioners of San Lorenzo and the friends of this parish to make this a shrine of the saint soon,” Valles said.

The Archbishop added that San Lorenzo Ruiz, being the first Filipino saint, will truly be venerated by all Catholics especially that there is only one parish in the whole Davao City that has San Lorenzo Ruiz as its patron saint.

The Archbishop also addressed Fr. Joel Caasi, the parish priest, to strive to undertake such project in the coming years.

“When you come to Talomo, you will be educated with the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz, and his history of being saint, among other lessons,” Valles said.

The Archbishop also made a short trip down the memory lane on the story of the establishment of the parish.

“This parish was established in 1985, some 34 years ago. Before such year, when I was still a priest back then, I was able to witness its construction starting with what are just pipes only,” he said.

Valles also narrated that he was able to witness in 1980 the beatification of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila. The beatification is a step before canonization.

“The same year was the first time St. John Paul II visited the country as including Davao City,” said Valles.

In 1987, Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized in Rome as a saint.

Fr. Caasi, on the other hand, thanked the constant support of the Archbishop over the years.