If you passed by the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu on a weekday, everyone is obviously busy preparing for the upcoming unprecedented event in San Mateo, the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Aranzazu on May 31. While everyone is busy painting the patio as well as the interiors of the church, lets us take a break to be familiar with the committees for this special event.
1. Rites, Liturgy and Ceremonies (Ritos Liturga Y Ceremonias)
Rites and liturgy for the Canonical Coronation are currently being finalized with Rev. Fr. Lawrence Paz along with different liturgists/advisers. A triduum will be held on May 26, 27, and 28 especially for the government officials and employees; business establishments owners; and lay workers, respectively. There will be designated prayer and flower stations around the Parish for the people’s petitions and thanksgiving.
Canonical Coronation rites and liturgy at 9am; procession at 4pm; and then mass and enthronement at 6pm.
2. Program, Invitations and Accommodations (Programa Invitaciones Alojamento)
Programs and invitations have been sent out since last week to the guests whom include the bishops and numerous priests. Their conformations are expected until the week before the coronation. That’s the only time that the number of guests will be finalized.
3. Vestments, Crown and Paraphernalia (Vestimentas Diademas Y Parafernalias)
This committee is responsible for the wardrobe of Aranzazu, her crown and other paraphernalia for the coronation. The delivery of the vestment-sponsored, crown and the like needed for the coronation is still pending.
4. Finance and Auditing (Finanzas Y Auditoria)
This committee was assigned to distribute and collect the ‘Lagda ko, Alay ko Cards,’and alkansyas. Though there are still cards, alkansyas and solicitations which are haven’t been remitted yet; the committee assured that with the help of additional donations, the funds for the event will be sufficient.
5. Technical and Physical Arrangements (Dispocision Tecnico Y Fisico)
They are the committee whom you will see painting, repairing and cleaning the exteriors and interiors of the church, making sure that Aranzazu’s parish will be presentable on the awaited day. Meanwhile, the construction of canonical throne is continuous including the other decorations, banners, and the like. The seating arrangement of the guests, parishioners and working committees on May 31 are yet to be finalized.
6. Catechesis (Catequesis)
From October to December 2016, catechesis on Mariology was initiated on different chapels of San Mateo. Meanwhile, Common Formation on Mariology was held every first Friday of the months of October 2016 to February 2017. There are also ongoing block rosaries in the Basic Ecclesiastic Communities with the help of the Legion of Mary
7. Transportation, Safety and Security (Transporte Seguridad Y Protection)
The committee has done their part in asking the support of the municipal government for the safety and security concerns of the people of San Mateo as well as the expected guests on the day of the coronation. The committee is still on the process of coordinating with the property owners for parking spaces. Meanwhile, the traffic rerouting is yet to be announced.
8. Information and Promotion (Informacion Y Promocion)
The committee is coordinating with the rest of the working committees in delivering the updates to the people and in promoting the event to encourage the help and participation of the parishioners and other volunteers for the preparation.
9. Food (Comida)
The figures, VIP receptions at the Miranda and patio are yet to be finalized. Meanwhile, it has been mentioned that BJMP will also be served with food.
With all these preparations headed by our Parish priests Fr. Lawrence Paz, we can claim that we will be having a successful and meaningful coronation to our dear mother Our Lady of Aranzazu. (Camille Fernandez Cabal)
