Roman Catholics will celebrate on Monday, Jan. 23, the feast day of Saint Ildefonsus (San Ildefonso), one of the most popular and widely venerated saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will celebrate a high mass (misa mayor) at 6 p.m. at the San Ildefonso Parish on Pio del Pilar Street, Makati City. A solemn procession follows the mass.
Novena masses were held from Jan. 14 to 22.
At the San Ildefonso Parish on Naval Street, Navotas City, novena masses were held from Jan. 14 to 22 in celebration of the 30th parish fiesta.
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.