Today, January 23, is the feast day of Saint Ildefonsus (San Ildefonso), one of the most popular and widely venerated saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
Feast masses will be celebrated at the San Ildefonso Parish in Pio del Pilar Street, Makati City. Bishop Leo Drona will preside over the feast at noon. Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo will lead the Eucharistic celebration at 6 p.m. in solemn commemoration of the event. Both masses will be streamed live through the Facebook page of the parish.
Only about 180 persons will be allowed inside the church to observe physical distancing.
Special commemorative masses will also be held in San Ildefonso, Bulacan; San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur; and in Tanay, Rizal.
A follower of St. Isidore of Seville, San Ildefonso served as archbishop of Toledo, Spain from the year 657 up to the time of his death in 667. Known as a scholar and theologian, his theological writings which attracted many followers became widely popular in Spain during the 7th century.
Spanish Catholics consider St. Ildefonsus as their second greatest saint, next to St. Isidore of Seville.
Devotion to the beloved saint became widespread after his canonization. Many churches and towns all over the world, including the Philippines, were named in his honor and memory.