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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider PH celebrates 80th anniversary of first novena Mass

PH celebrates 80th anniversary of first novena Mass

Published May 15, 2026 02:10 pm
SAINT Clement’s Church in Iloilo City celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first novena Mass in the country on May 13. (Tara Yap)
SAINT Clement’s Church in Iloilo City celebrated the 80th anniversary of the first novena Mass in the country on May 13. (Tara Yap)
The devotion to the Mother of Perpetual Help continued with the 80th anniversary of the first novena Mass in the country on Wednesday.
Redemptorist priests and the faithful celebrated the historic event on May 13, 1946 at Saint Clement’s Church in Iloilo City.
Fr. Ramon O. Fruto, the first Filipino Redemptorist priest, said that the country’s first novena Mass was held a year after the end of World War II.
Fr. Patrick Nulty, Irish superior of Saint Clement’s Church, heeded the request from Irish-American soldiers stationed in Panay Island who wanted to heal faster from their war injuries. Novena masses spread to Batangas, Cebu, and other parts of Asia.
Novena Masses were also held in other Redemptorist churches in the country Wednesday, including the renowned Baclaran Church in Parañaque City.
The anniversary culminated with a fund-raising concert that featured Iloilo native Jed Madela and Redemptorist priests.
Proceeds of the concert will fund the restoration of the 13 carillon bells, one of the remaining manually-operated church bells in the country that have been creating beloved melodies, especially during Christmas, since 1953.

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Novena Mass Iloilo City Mother of Perpetual Help
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