The Apostolic Nuncio: Up close and personal with Lolo Uweng

Setting foot for the first time in Lolo Uweng’s home in Landayan, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams who is also Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Philippines, congratulated those who have worked for the growth of the Parish in the last 40 years and exhorted the faithful to continue to strengthen their Catholic faith and their devotion to the image of Jesus in the Holy Sepulchre. Rev. Msgr. Jose D. Barrion, Sto. Sepulcro Parish Priest, led about 35 priests from the Diocese of San Pablo and lay leaders of the Landayan Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) in welcoming Archbishop Adams and his entourage.

The Apostolic Nuncio motored to San Pedro, arriving at 8:00 a.m. Upon seeing devotees walking along Landayan’s main road, he rolled down his car window and greeted and even shook hands with some of them. He chanced upon a father with a baby in his arms standing by the road and playfully engaged them in a brief conversation.

During his brief closing statement before the end of the mass, Msgr. Barrion thanked the Apostolic Nuncio and his staff for the grace and honor of their presence and recognized the efforts of those who made the historic event a rousing success. Inspired by the Nuncio’s support, he declared his plan to elevate the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus in the Holy Sepulchre into a national shrine within the next three years of his remaining term.

Hourly masses are held on top of the hour from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Shine’s fully air-conditioned Main Church.

San Pedro Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz presented the Apostolic Nuncio a symbolical key to the town. During breakfast, Mayor Cataquiz discussed his plan to build a tall image of the Risen Jesus at the Laurel Hill in upland  San Pedro and pursue the town’s dream to become a Shrine City.

After a typical fiesta meal that followed the solemn eucharistic celebration, he left at about 1:30 p.m..  “I am more than fulfilled” was his post-event remarks.

(Photos by Willie A. Monzon)