Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula presided over the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at Santo Nino de Pandacan Parish on July 10, 2021, a year after the parish church was destroyed by fire.
After the Mass, Cardinal Advincula together with the newly appointed Vicar Apostolic of Taytay, Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo led the groundbreaking ceremony and site blessing of the parish church.
“Mga kapatid, sa araw na ito, gagawin natin ang ground breaking para sa pagtatayo ng ating bagong simbahan. Ang gagawin nating seremonya ng paghuhakay at pagbabasbas sa lupa ay pagkilala natin na ang lupang ito ay biyaya ng Diyos at tanda ng ugnayan ng Diyos sa atin,” Cardinal Advincula said in his homily.
The Cardinal who reflected on the “promised land” as the symbol of the relationship between the Lord and His people said the land where the new church of Pandacan will be built will be recognized as proof that God is faithful and truthful to His promise.
“Ang bagong simabahan na itatayo sa lupang kaloob ng Diyos ay magiging lugar kung saan mananahan si Hesus sa Kanyang salita, sa sakramento ng katawan at dugo at sa inyong pagdadamayan, pagkakaisa at pagmamahalan lalo na sa mga nangangailangan sa inyong pamayanan,” Cardinal Advincula said.
The former Archbishop of Capiz assured Fr. Sanny de Claro, Parish Priest and Fr. Gilbert Kabigting, Parochial Vicar and the whole community of Pandacan of his support for the rebuilding of the church.
“Bilang inyong bagong ama dito sa Archdiocese of Manila, kaisa ninyo ang sa pagbagon at pasisimula uli dito sa parokya ng Santo Nino de Pandacan. Narito ako bilang isang pastol na nakikinig sa inyong mga pagsamo at pangangailangan,” he said.
“Buo ang aking suporta kay Fr. Sanny, kay Fr. Gilbert at sa inyong buong pamayanan at sa inyong pagtatayo muli ng bagong simbahan na siyang tahanan ng Diyos sa inyong piling,” he added.
Before the Eucharist ended, a replica of the Santo Nino image was given by Fr. De Claro to Bishop Pabillo as an expression of gratitude to him because during his term as Apostolic Administrator, he personally visited the parish and the people during and after the fire last year. As a sign of welcome to the new Archbishop of Manila, Fr. De Claro also gave Cardinal Advincula a Santo Nino image.
After the groundbreaking ceremony and site blessing, Cardinal Advincula distributed gift checks and gift packs from Caritas Manila, the social service arm of the Archdiocese of Manila to some poor families who live within the vicinity of the parish.
“As we break in the ground and start to rebuild, machines will make loud noises, let us not forget to listen also to the louder voice, the cry of the poor. To listen to them is to love them. This is the value of rebuilding our church. The labor of the builders is rooted in charity,” Fr. De Claro said in his message.
“Ang mga kapuspalad po, ang mahihirap, yan ang magpapabanal sa ating bahay dalanginan. Sila ang magbabasbas sa ating lahat. Let us now start to rebuild our church,” he added
The Image of the Sto. Nino of Pandacan is believed to be more than 400 years old. It is carved out of dark wood that is similar to the dark Mexican wood of the images of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo and the Black Madonna of Antipolo. It was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards via galleon trade from Acapulco Mexico to Manila, Philippines. (Jheng Prado/RCAM-AOC | Photo by Rian Salamat/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)
