A Pontifical Mass will be celebrated by Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Nolly C. Buco at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Paul of the Cross in Concepcion Dos, Marikina City, in celebration of the Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, which coincides with the Feast of Saint Peter of Alcantara.
A mass will also be held at 6 a.m. A video premiere on the Life of St. Paul of the Cross will be shown at 5 p.m. via the Facebook and YouTube channels of the parish.
Proceeds of the novena and feast masses will be donated to COVID-19 patients. About 150 fully vaccinated persons will be allowed inside the church. The elderly, persons with disabilities and children are advised to join the holy masses online.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the church will mark the 46th dedication anniversary of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Paul of the Cross.
The traditional “Dalaw Patron” will not be held this year because of the pandemic.
St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionist Congregation. Born in Ovada, Italy in the year 1694, St. Paul helped spread devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Passion of Christ.
Saint Peter of Alcantara was born in 1499 in Alcantara, Spain. He was a Franciscan preacher, writer, and confessor. He encouraged St. Teresa of Avila, who referred to him then as a “living saint,” to establish her first monastery in Avila in 1562 and helped her promote Carmelite reform. Canonized on April 28,1669 by Pope Clement IX, St. Peter was a model of all Christian virtues, particularly poverty and chastity.