ST. PIUS X MISSION CHURCH FIESTA CELEBRATION

BRGY. BAGONG SIRANG, SAN ANDRES, CATANDUANES

The people of Brgy. Bagong Sirang, San Andres, Catanduanes joined by people from nearby barangays jubilantly rejoiced as they held a two-day fiesta celebration (August 20-21, 2014) of their patron saint, St. Pius X. The St. Pius X Mission Church was established through the effort of the Franciscans in response to the invitation of Bishop Manolo A. De los Santos, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Virac.

The fiesta activities begun on August 20, 2014, with the celebration of the Holy Mass at around 10:00 a.m. The mass was presided by Bishop Manolo A. De los Santos, DD. In his homily, the bishop mentioned that the Franciscans were the first missionaries to arrive in the island of Catanduanes in the 17^th Century. He also narrated how the friars went from one village to another until they were able to evangelize the majority of the people in the island. The bishop also highlighted in his homily the life of St. Pius X who was pope from 1903-1914,  and on how the humble pope-saint dedicated his life for the poor and how he managed to live his motto “Restore all things in Christ”.

After the celebration of the Holy Mass, Fr. John Muscat, OFM, the priest-in-charge of the mission church, together with Bro. Emerson Bumagat, OFM, led the crowd for the blessing of St. Francis Pastoral Center. It is a newly built covered space beside the church intended for conducting seminars, gatherings and other church related events.

Shortly after the blessing, Fr. John expressed his gratitude to all those who helped in the creation of the multi-purpose hall which is now called the St. Francis Pastoral Center. Also present during this event were Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM, the Minister Provincial of the OFM Province of San Pedro Bautista in the Philippines, Fr. Armando Obal, OFM and Bro. Temoteo Gulay, OFM.

On the big day of the feast, August 21, 2014, the people gathered once more at around 8:00 a.m. to join the procession in honor of St. Pius X. After the procession the Fiesta Mass was celebrated presided by Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM. In his homily Fr. Gregorio encouraged the people to conduct their lives according to the example of St. Pius X, which is a life dedicated to helping the poor, the needy and specially the children.

The joyful fiesta celebration ended with a simple lunch prepared for everybody who came for the fiesta celebration. 

Contributed by:

Jess Barrozo III
Media Office Asst. - OFM Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista - Philippines