Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, in cooperation with the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, joined the Diocese of Malolos in welcoming the fifth Philippine visit of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in celebration of her 150th birth and 100th beatification anniversaries.
Fernando led the recitation of a prayer in front of the capitol in the City of Malolos, Bulacan on Friday, Jan. 27.
After the prayer, the pilgrim relics of St. Therese were taken to Camp General Alejo Santos for a holy Mass, presided by Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo.
The “centennial reliquary,” which contains the saint’s leg bone (right femur), came from the Basilica of Lisieux, France. It will stay with the Diocese of Malolos from Jan. 26 to 28, before visiting other parts of the country.
According to Fernando, welcoming and accepting the relics of St. Therese helps to strengthen the faith of Bulakenyos.
“Tayong mga Bulakenyo ay likas na may takot sa Diyos at may matatag na pananampalataya sa Panginoon. Sa ating pagtanggap sa labi ni St. Therese ay isang paraan hindi lang upang maipagpatuloy ang kanyang layuning maging misyonaryo, ito din ay makakatulong upang mas patatagin pa ang pananampalataya natin dito sa Bulacan (We Bulakenyos are God-fearing and have strong faith in the Lord. Welcoming the relics of St. Therese is not just a way for us to continue her goal of becoming a missionary, but also to further strengthen our faith here in Bulacan)," Fernando said.
Bro. Luis Tan of the Diocese of Malolos also said that giving significance to this practice gives fulfillment to her duty as a Catholic missionary.
“Yung pagdating sa atin ni St. Therese ay napakahalaga sapagkat (The arrival of St. Therese is very important because) to welcome the relics is to welcome the saint herself. ‘Yung pagdalaw niya sa atin, para na ding pagpunta ni St. Therese sa atin at saka eto ‘yung fulfillment ng kanyang naisin nung siya ay madre pa, na maging misyonaryo siya na lilibot sa buong mundo (The visitation of St. Therese to us is the fullfilment of her wish to be a missionary and travel the world when she was still a nun)," Bro. Tan explained.