Governor Dennis Pineda on Tuesday asked the envoy of Pope Francis, Archbishop Charles John Brown, to bless the Kapampangans amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Please bless all our citizens, local officials, and hardworking front-liners so that we can be able to manage and overcome the pandemic that has affected us,” the governor said in a program held for the civil reception of Archbishop Brown, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.
The Papal Nuncio is scheduled to celebrate the holy mass on Wednesday (Sept. 8) at San Vicente Ferrer Parish in Barangay Calulut here to commemorate the canonical coronation of the Virgen de los Remedios 65 years ago.
The annual commemoration of the canonical coronation of the Virgen de los Remedios every Sept. 8 has been celebrated in varying locations.
The Vatican, through Pope Pius XII, decreed the canonical coronation of the image in 1956, signaling the start of the sharing of lamac (offerings) that helped bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the province.
To this day, the image and that of the Santo Cristo del Perdon (Crucified Christ) travel from town to town. The crusade is sustained by prayers and acts of generosity to poor families.
Meanwhile, the governor, together with Vice Governor Lilia Pineda gifted the Papal Nuncio an 18-inch image of the Virgen de los Remedios de Baliti sculpted by Maestro Wilfredo Layug, and a Capiz parol (lantern) handcrafted by lantern maker Rolando Quiambao.
An exhibit of Marian images was also showed to the Papal Nuncio where he was likewise treated to songs by Arti Sta. Rita.
Vice Governor Pineda and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also presented Resolution No. 6926 expressing the province’s deepest appreciation for the presence of the Papal Nuncio in the Sept. 8 event.
The Papal Nuncio, for his part, hailed the people of Pampanga for their “extraordinary way” of expressing their faith in their culture and heritage.
“There is a beautiful harmonization of Filipino values and Christianity in the Simbang Gabi, Giant Lantern Festival, songs and devotion to the Virgen de los Remedios,” he said.
He also expressed admiration for Filipinos who spread the faith all over the world.
Likewise, the Papal Nuncio relayed the love of Pope Francis for Filipinos. (PNA)
