26 October 2012, 12:31 a.m. – DEVOTEES flocked to UST on Thursday to welcome the image of San Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, which arrived straight from Rome after canonization rites last Oct. 21.
At 7:15 p.m.,
UST’s carillon bells – a memorial to saints and martyrs produced by the University – rang to signal the entrance of the image at Santisimo Rosario Church or the UST chapel.
The faithful lighted candles, waved palm fronds, and shouted praises for the young martyr, who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI last Sunday along with six others.
“Martyrdom is not just about dying. It is as much as living one’s life to the full,” Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., University rector, said in his homily. “I believe that this University is blessed because martyrs lived and visited UST. [It] is with fervent joy that I welcome and receive the image of San Pedro Calungsod.”
Dagohoy said martyrs do not only show how to die but also teach the Church how to live the Christian faith.
“Whether we live a life like Pedro Calungsod, Lorenzo Ruiz, UST Martyrs, or Mother Theresa who worked for the poor, [we] have proven that since their lives were oriented to self-giving love, the impact of such love changes people. We always have the opportunity to make other’s [lives] better,” the Rector said.
After the Holy Eucharist, the image was venerated and a vigil was opened to the public until 11 p.m.
“What makes Pedro Calungsod very unique to the Thomasian community is that he showed the potentials of Filipino youth. [He] tells us [about] a different kind of being what a young man is,” said Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., UST secretary general, in a chance interview.
“Therefore, I believe that he can be a very, very good model for the Thomasian youth,” Cabading added.
Calungsod died at age 17 on April 6, 1672, with Jesuit priest Fr. Diego Luis San Vitores, his companion in missionary work in Guam. Both were killed by two natives for preaching Christianity.
Calungsod was 14 when he was chosen to join the Jesuit priests in their mission in the Island of Ladrones, now called Island of Marianas. Denise Pauline Purugganan and Gracelyn Simon
