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RECOLLECTS KICK OFF 40 DAY-CARAVAN
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The Recoletos 400 caravan dubbed as Biyaheng Recoletos commenced its 40 day travel to the forty towns and cities around the Philippines to promote the devotion to St. Ezekiel Moreno as well as to celebrate the contribution of the Augustinian Recollects to the life, culture and history of the Filipino people.
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On the first day, more than a thousand pilgrims flocked to the centuries-old shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City to witness the 6:00 AM concelebrated mass presided by the healing priest, Fr. Ferdinand “Soy” Hernando, OAR. Fr. Lauro Larlar, OAR, Prior Provincial, and Fr. Corvin Maturan, OAR concelebrated with him. It could be traced that the Antipolo shrine of Our Lady had historical significance in the life of the Recollects since some of its religious were assigned to pastor the Catholic faithful of Antipolo from 1863 until the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution.
Thirty persons signed in the entourage of Recoletos 400 caravan from Antipolo to Balanga. Upon reaching the town of Hermosa, Bataan, a motorcade organized by Mayor Melanio Banzon, Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Mary Immaculate International, and the Bataan Cancer Society welcomed the entire entourage. The healing mass was celebrated by Fr. Hernando at 2:00 P.M. and the historical conference was delivered by Prof. Emmanuel Luis Romanillos after dinner before the presence of Msgr. Socrates Villegas, DD, bishop of Balanga, and the representatives of the different organizations of the Cathedral parish.
Due to a sudden power interruption, the conference was cut short which allowed the host families to fetch early their respective caravan delegates. All assembled in the cathedral compound the next day to continue the next leg of the pilgrimage. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Banzon afforded the delegates to a free tour around their four-year-old La Vista Balanga which featured a rustic yet top rate function rooms, hotel, resort and butterfly sanctuary in the place.
From Balanga City, the group proceeded to Olongapo City on the second day. Red roses offered by members of Church mandated organizations of St. Columban Parish in Olongapo City welcomed the pilgrim statue of the saint upon its arrival. The healing mass took place in the afternoon presided by Fr Hernando, with Bishop Florentino Lavarias and the entire clergy of the Diocese of Iba concelebrating.
The group spent the night off at the Anne Raquel’s Hillside Resort in New Cabalan, Olongapo City courtesy of Mrs. Santos from the parish church of St. Columban Parish in Olongapo City. The itinerary in the provinces of Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan was made possible through the all-out assistance of Hon. Oscar and Mrs. Rose Orbos and company.
- Rev. Ian Anthony Espartero, OAR
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