Pope Benedict to receive Calungsod image

An image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be given to Pope Benedict XVI during the canonization of the second Filipino saint in Rome on Oct. 21.

Former Philippine ambassador to Rome Henrietta de Villa, secretary-general of the National Commission on the Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, said three images of the Filipino martyr will be taken to the Vatican. One of these images will be given to His Holiness as a gift.

De Villa said that even the previous pontiff, the late Pope John Paul II, received an image of Calungsod.

It was during the incumbency of Pope John Paul II when Calungsod was beatified in 2000. At that time, De Villa was the country’s ambassador to the Vatican.

The Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome will be receiving an image of the soon-to-be saint. The third image will be used for the “Duaw Nasud” or the national pilgrimage of thanksgiving in the country.

“The other image will be flown back to the Philippines for the pilgrimage of thanksgiving. The image is set to arrive here on Oct. 25,” De Villa said.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) assistant secretary-general Fr. Marvin Mejia said Filipinos in Rome are expected to witness Calungsod’s canonization.

Mejia said that from the Philippines alone, there would be about 5,000 pilgrims going to Rome. They are also expecting thousands of Filipinos coming from the United States and other countries.

“This is really going to be a moment of great pride for us Filipinos,” he said.

There are about 100,000 documented Filipinos living in Italy.

At least 30 Filipino cardinals and bishops, to be led by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and CBCP president Archbishop Jose Palma, would attend the historic event.

Top government officials are also attending the canonization of the Visayan martyr, including Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

The CBCP previously presented the official image of Calungsod that would be taken to Rome during the canonization rites. The image measures two feet and holds a huge palm leaf and the Book of Christian Doctrines.