Dabawenyos hoping to be converted in love

For three days, the Dabawenyo devotees of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus were again given the chance to venerate her pilgrim relics during her 5th visit to Davao City last March 20-23, 2023, with the theme, “Lakbay tayo Saint Thérèse! Ka-Alagad, Kaibigan, Ka-Misyon.” The first day of visit coincided with the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. Accordingly, the pilgrim relics of Saint Thérèse have visited the Philippines in 2000, 2008, 2013, 2018 and this year 2023.

The relic of St. Therese arrived at San Miguel Parish in Marahan on Monday, March 20, 2023 where people were waiting to witness and welcome her. Following that, the relics were transported to Biao Guianga Elementary School and the GKK of St. Therese of the Child Jesus for a brief visit before proceeding to the parish of St. John Paul II for the Holy Mass which was presided by the parish priest, Fr. Russell Bantiles. The relics made a few stops like the Sister-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration or as the lay know it, the Pink Sisters and then at the Carmelite Fathers before proceeding to the St. Francis Xavier Regional Seminary in the evening for the Holy Mass, which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Edilberto Mahinay, followed by the overnight vigil and public veneration.

The relics were delivered to San Pedro College early Tuesday morning, March 21, 2023, where the Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Marbendear Morallas. In his homily, he said, “daghan sa atoa dili mutuo’g Ginoo, kay wala kasugat ug gugma… nothing can be converted without experiencing the love of God.” Following this mass, the relics were transported to Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao, where the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus were welcomed at Davao Air Station, Sasa, Davao City, and the rite of reception was presided over by Most Reverend Oscar Jaime L Florencio, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines. From there, the relics was then brought to the Coast Guard District Headquarters, Southeastern Mindanao, Km. 10, Sasa Wharf, Davao City, where the public was allowed to visit and venerate. The pilgrim relics were then brought to the Philippine Navy in Panacan, Davao City, in the afternoon, and afterwards to the Philippine National Police in Buhangin, where people, the police and other members of the different units of the Philippine Military were waiting. The relics was then carried to the Carmelite convent in the evening for the Holy Mass and public veneration and overnight vigil.

On March 22, 2023, Wednesday, the Relics of St. Therese was transferred to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (Redemptorist). From there, the walk with St. Therese began going to San Pedro Cathedral where the Solemn Rite reception of the Pilgrim Relics was held, then followed by the Holy Mass which was presided by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles D.D. and long public veneration and overnight vigil from 7a.m. up to 3a.m. (March 23, 2023). The relics was then delivered to the Diocese of Mati on March 23, 2023. (Bro. Ranie Boy Pamplona | Photos by DCH and Brenda P. Milan)