Devotees and Parishioners of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu took part in the closing activities and ceremony of the tercentennial anniversary celebration of Our Lady of Aranzazu as the patroness of San Mateo yesterday, December 9.
A motorcade was held followed by the procession. Over a hundred of devotees joined the procession of Our Lady of Aranzazu from Dulong Bayan Chapel to the parish wherein a prayer was offered before she was enthroned to the altar.
The tercentennial celebration of Aranzazu was closed by a mass presided by Most Rev. Francis De Leon D. D. This closing celebration is not the end of our devotion to Our beloved Aranzazu but a courage to continue venerating her.
Aside from closing of the Tercentennial celebration, 2nd Sunday of Advent was also celebrated and in line with this was the lighting of the purple advent candle.
The homily focused on what is essential in our lives. Everyone is encouraged to meditate for a while and think what’s significant, God or the gifts of God. Let us appreciate the presence of God because it is more important that we are with Him. There is no such thing that is greater than the presence of God in our lives.
Before the mass was ended, Bro. Reynaldo Balcos, the Chairman of Shrine Council and Bro. Francisco Faildon, the President of Parish Pastoral Council expressed their gratefulness to everyone who participated and took part in the said celebration.
Rev. Fr. Lawrance Paz, the Rector and Parish priest of DSPNSDA, awarded the certificate of appreciation to the 300 years’ committee for exerting efforts to this celebration.
Also, he invited everyone to buy a copy of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu: Pamana ng mga Heswita sa mga taga San Mateo – a book that contains the history of San Mateo written by Michael P. Delos Reyes, a historian who researches about the history of churches and parishes. Everyone can get a copy from the Pilgrim Center for only 200 pesos.
As a thanksgiving, a simple meal was shared to everyone who was there.
Blessed town of San Mateo, Rejoice and be happy!
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
