ON Sunday, March 27, Incarnation Church will celebrate the closing ceremonies of 500 years of Philippine Christianity.
A Eucharistic celebration will be held at 2 p.m. to be presided by the Most Reverend Alex Aclan, Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando Region. The Closing Ceremonies will emphasize Prayer For World Peace as Ukraine-Russia Conflict continues. The faithful is asked to pray for reconciliation, resilience and compassion. The Filipino Ministry of Incarnation Church will prepare a meaningful event for parishioners and visitors.
Since March 2021, Incarnation Church has included in its monthly Filipino masses, the veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary as part of its year-long celebration of 500 Years of Philippine Christianity. Various images representing the Blessed Mother will be in procession. These images are: Nuestra Senora De La Soledad, De Porta Vaga Da Cavite, Nuestra Senora Del Santissimo Rosario De Manaoag, Nuestra Senora De Los Remedios/ Nuestra Senora De Badoc, Our Lady of La Naval, Mahal Na Birhen ng Caysaysay, Taal, Batangas, Nuestra Senora Del Pilar De Morong, Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe De Cebu/ Santo Nino De Cebu and Nuestra Senora De La Candelaria De Jaro, Iloilo/ Our Lady of Candles. Rosary will be held in Church at 1:30 pm to be led by 2000 Hail Marys’ Group of Incarnation. Prelude of Sinulog, a ritual praise worship dance will be led by Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade of Holy Family Church/ Glendale. May Mallari, a parishioner from Incarnation Church commented: “The 500 Years of Philippine Christianity is significant in our lives and to make the Closing Ceremonies meaningful is something that we would like to remember. The theme: Gifted to Give makes us aware to be charitable and to keep God as the Center of our lives.”
In the 16th century, the first statue of Santo Niño was presented to Queen Juana, wife of King Humabon. She was overjoyed upon seeing the innocent and kind face of Baby Jesus. She was baptized and embraced Catholicism. The natives were also baptized. Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity on the day baptism occurred in Cebu. To this day, Filipinos from various walks of life bring prayers to the Santo Nino. He is the protector and has power to grant and answer their prayers. Devotions to him are part of every parish’s life. Every Filipino home has an image of Santo Nino. The image is particularly revered by people from Cebu where Spaniards established the first colonial capital. The devotion to Christ Child Jesus has spread beyond that region. Santo Nino is the oldest Catholic icon, known for His miracles and Filipinos’ strong devotion to Him is very strong. He is the reminder of how Filipinos accepted Christianity 500 years ago. Everyone is welcome to attend this beautiful and special celebration.
For more information, please call Ben Aranda at (818) 437-1406 and May Mallari at (323) 401-0886. (Contributed by Josefina Solomonson)
