“Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun” – St. Francis

St. Francis is famous for loving all the creatures that God created, thus praising the sun, the moon, the stars and everything there is to see as long as it is created by God. His humble life made Jesus gaze upon him with love and gave him His 5 wounds called “Stigmatization of St. Francis.”

That’s why the Parish Youth Ministry of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Laverna, Buhangin in collaboration with the Franciscan Brothers made their very daring act of doing the first ever musical play of the Stigmatization of St. Francis of Assisi last September 14 in the parish.

“Ang stigmata usa ka buhing saksi sa pagka generous sa atong Ginoo. Si St. Francis gitawag siya ug Mirror of Christ o salamin ni Kristo. Siya ang pinakaunang santo nga nakadawat sa lima ka samad ni Kristo,” Parish Priest Fr. Junar N. Dela Victoria said during an interview. The core group was a bit hesitant to have the play aside from their usual theatrical play of the Passion of Christ, parish youth coordinator Babino Casanaan Jr. said. “Well, atong una halos dili unta ko mopasalig pero when I asked my core group and the youth, kaya man daw, so gi go gyud namo kay supportado man sab mi sa among parish priest with the supervision of Franciscan brothers. Very nice ang experience nga naka musical play mi sa stigmatization ni St. Francis.”

The participants especially Neil Patrick Jallorina the one who played “St. Francis” was a bit ecstatic in doing the role, “naka evangelized gyud ko ug nahatagan ug nakita ang importansya sa pag devotion sa stigmata ni St. Francis. Nalipay ko nga nahatagan ko ug higayon nga masabtan ug ma feel unsa kalisod ang pagdawat sa maong samad.” The event was a success, “Nindot gud kaayo ang play,” said Gie Rhea Jadulco, ways and means of Davao Archdiocesan Coordinating Apostolate (DAYCA) who was also present during the play. Brother Josue Leo Gorgonio, a Franciscan brother who helped in editing the script and songs said, “I was really surprised about the turnaround change from the youth with a spectacular result. Wala nasayang ang effort sa matag usa and everyone contributed much para sa ikanindot sa play from props, technical, music, coordination and to those in-charge.”

The musical play was staged during “Youth Night” for their second parochial fiesta which is celebrated every September 17, the date when St. Francis received his stigma. The play was the first ever musical done in the history of St. Francis of Assisi Laverna Parish spearheaded by the Youth Ministry. @dcherald