Visit of Blessed John Paul II’s Relics: A Gift to the
Church in Davao
By Carlos B.
Babiano
Clergy, religious and the lay faithful of the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Davao welcomed the relics of Blessed John Paul II last
December 18, 2011, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. These were brought from Manila
by Br. Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz, director of the Confraternity of Catholic Saints
and vice-postulator for the cause of canonization of Blsd. Ivan Merz. The
relics comprise of particles from the blood of Blessed John Paul II, two of his
rosaries, signatures (some which date back during his ministry as
Cardinal-Archbishop of Krakow), pieces of his cassock, his skullcap, a chalice
(replica of the Holy Grail of Valencia), and missalettes of papal masses during
his time and, the most recent ones, of his beatification on May 1, 2011,
presided by His Holiness Benedict XVI and the Thanksgiving Mass the following
day presided by Vatican Secretary of State Card. Tarcisio Bertone. Other relics
include a rock from the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a strand from a
mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a particle from the staff of St. Joseph,
relics of St. John the Baptist, Sts. Elizabeth and Zechariah, Sts. Joachim and
Ann, the 12 apostles, selected early Christian martyrs, and first and second
class relics of Blessed Ivan Merz.
From Davao International Airport the relics were
transported to the chapel of the John Paul II College, Ecoland Drive, Matina, Davao
City, assisted by its president, Mr. Ernesto Evangilista and family (Mr.
Evangilista was recently awarded by Pope Benedict XVI the Cross Pro Ecclesia et
Pontifice for his support to the clergy and programs of the Archdiocese of
Davao). These were welcomed through a Solemn Mass at 8:00pm (Philippine
Standard Time) presided by Davao Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando. During the
homily, Bishop Rimando shared this reflection, “The visit of the relics of
Blessed John Paul II and other saints here in Davao is a reminder that we have
friends in heaven whom we could ask for help especially in this time of
calamity in Northern Mindanao (in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities).” The
massive floods caused by the typhoon Washi (local name “Sendong”) occurred during
the same day the relics arrived in Davao City.
The visit of the relics were also considered as the second
time Blessed John Paul II visited Davao City. The first was on February 20, 1981,
for a Eucharistic Celebration and a meeting with representatives of Muslim
communities.
Eucharistic Celebrations are offered in the chapel of the
above mentioned college from the evening of December 18 up to its last night on
January 7, 2012, sponsored by various parishes around the Archdiocese of Davao.
Likewise, these parishes and other ecclesial movements in and outside the
archdiocese take turns in spending vigils in front of the relics. According to visitors’
logbooks, the number of pilgrims and devotees who come to venerate Blessed John
Paul II’s relics were counted a total of 1000, including those unregistered due
to the long lines of people who come to visit daily. The chapel is also open for
24 hours from the day of the arrival up to the January 8 closing.
Last Tuesday, January 3, 2012, Davao Archbishop Fernando
Capalla presided over a Solemn Mass for the Sick at 7:00pm (PST) before a large
group of faithful gathered in the grounds of John Paul II College. Blessed John
Paul II’s skullcap, particles of his blood, a piece of his cassock were exposed
for the Mass. The chalice which is the Holy Grail’s replica was used twice
during the visit, first by Bp. Rimando last Dec. 18, and on this Eucharist
presided by Archbishop Capalla. The archbishop stated in his homily, “The visit
of the relics (of John Paul II and other saints) is a gift to the Church and
faithful of Davao.” This is also a reiteration of archdiocesan circulars issued
November 26 and December 31, 2011.
On Sunday, January 8, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, a
Solemn Eucharistic Celebration will be presided by Davao Archbishop Fernando
Capalla at 5:00am (PST) concluding an overnight vigil of the youth of the
archdiocese.
