This is a rejoinder to the letter “Editorial hailed Catholicism in the Philippines as it should be” (Inquirer, 11/7/11), where the writer, Charito Maranan-Montecillo, said she was “glad that the Inquirer took the initiative to explain to our readers the processes of beatification and canonization in the wake of the forthcoming canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.”
I appreciate it, too, as the editorial, to a considerable degree, helped bring the Filipino martyr to the attention (and awareness) of many Catholics in the country (and perhaps in other parts of the world). Who is Pedro Calungsod? What is he? What did he do? These may be questions some Filipino Catholics ask.
Now, consider an incident at a Quezon City parish a few years ago: Right before a Sunday morning Mass started, the commentator approached the guest priest to ask his name so that he could be properly introduced. For God knows what reason, the poker-faced priest playfully gave her a different name. And so the clueless commentator walked back to the podium and asked everybody “…to rise and welcome the priest presider Rev. Fr. Pedro Calungsod(!!!).” O-o-o-h, just imagine the shock of the congregation—especially the elderly ladies (whom I fondly refer to as the “church manangs”)—at hearing the very erroneous name. This has since been the top blooper incident of that parish’s Ministry of Lectors and Commentators.
Anyway, in light of the forthcoming canonization of the real Pedro Calungsod (and not that very naughty priest), I hope that the broadcast and print media, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, the priests (through their homilies), religion teachers (through their lessons in class) and in general the Catholic community (through our personal readings for our own spiritual growth) start paying him more attention and recognition. It’s about time he became more prominent. After all, we Filipinos—regardless of our religion—should take pride in the fact that a second Filipino shall become a saint.
—CLAUDE LUCAS C. DESPABILADERAS,
claudelucas2003@yahoo.com