The Santisimo Rosario Parish (UST) marked the 81st anniversary of its canonical establishment with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula on Tuesday, March 21.
In his homily, Cardinal Advincula said that the anniversary of the parish is “an invitation to gratitude.”
“We celebrate the Eucharist as we remember with gratitude. We thank the Lord for his providence and mercy that sustained Santisimo Rosario Parish through the years. We thank all the priests, lay leaders, and all other collaborators of the parish.
We give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever,” said Cardinal Advincula.
During the Mass, there were more than three hundred students from the University of Santo Tomas, Juan Luna High School and Dominican School – Manila who received the Sacrament of Confirmation led by Cardinal Advincula.
The Cardinal reminded the students of the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in their lives.
“Dear friends, remember these three things about the Sacrament of Confirmation which you are about to receive. It is a gift from God. It will lead you to holiness. It will help you discover your vocation. It will transform you into faithful disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
He ended his homily by entrusting the faithful to the maternal embrace of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Santisimo Rosario Parish (UST) was established on March 21 1942 by a decree issued by Msgr. Michael O’Doherty, D.D, Archbishop of Manila. On April 26, 1942, the parish was canonically inaugurated with a pontifical high mass celebrated by Msgr. O’Doherty.
On September 28, 1942, the image of the ‘La Naval de Manila was transferred from Santo Domingo Church, Intramuros to UST and installed in the Parish Church of Santisimo Rosario to save it from heavy bombings in Intramuros. That year, the Novena to Our Lady of La Naval was held for the first time in the parish church. The novena became a tradition and henceforth, the parish fiesta began being celebrated every 7th day of October.
After 12 years of stay at the parish church, the image of La Naval de Manila was transferred to Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City on October 10, 1954. It was then that the original parish image was restored to its former place at the main altar. The same image is now enthroned at the left side of the altar above the tabernacle.
With Fr. Paul Talavera as its parish priest, the Santisimo Rosario Parish continues to serve the faithful through its daily masses, confession and other sacraments, as well as a variety of ministries and programs for people from different walks of life. The parish also assists the poor, sick and elderly. (Jheng Prado/RCAM-AOC | Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)