MANILA, Philippines - When Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified on Feb. 18, 1981 by Pope John Paul II in Manila, Fr. Erno Diaz immediately mobilized the propagation of the devotion to the first Filipino saint in New York.

Filipino-Americans were curious about him. Fr. Erno formed the Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz Association in America. In those early days, members would hold prayer meetings in the office of a Filipino businessman in upper Manhattan.

In 1984, Jose Mari Chan became the first hermano mayor for the fiesta Mass at St. Patrick?s Cathedral with Cardinal Sin as main celebrant.

He is still devoted to San Lorenzo Ruiz because he sang at the fundraising concert for the ?San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Hour? last Friday at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion. When Fr. Erno was ready to write a book on his experiences in promoting the devotion in New York, Jose Mari suggested the title ?On the Road with San Lorenzo Ruiz.?

It was published by the University of Sto. Tomas Publishing House and launched in 2003 at the Makati Skyline in the World Trade Center. The book begins with the chapter on how Fr. Erno?s car broke down somewhere in Long Island on his way to New York. Jose Mari Chan and members of the BLRAA were waiting for him to say Mass at 2:30 p.m.

Fr. Erno prayed to San Lorenzo Ruiz to come to the rescue. All of a sudden, a car passing by stopped and the driver asked Fr. Erno if he could help. The man told Fr. Erno that he received a ?distress call? saying some nuns were stranded on the road, but found Fr. Erno instead.

The man turned out to be a Jew named David Barnes. David offered to have Fr. Erno?s car towed to an auto shop. Then there was the problem of Fr. Erno having to be in New York at 2:30 p.m. Long Island was two hours away and it was past noon.

David offered to drive the priest to Long Island. Taking some shortcuts, he was able to reach the place short of 2:30 p.m with a worried Joe Mari Chan meeting them at the door. San Lorenzo Ruiz came through, according to Fr. Erno.

The book makes for interesting reading. It tells of how the membership to the Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz Association in America grew and how the devotion spread, not only in New York, but other states in the United States.

When Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized in Rome by John Paul II on Oct. 18, 1987, the group became San Lorenzo Ruiz Association in America. The group traveled to Rome to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the saint?s canonization on Oct. 18, 2007.

It took sometime for the Filipino community to have a chapel of their own. But it finally came when the Archdiocese of New York awarded a chapel on 378 Broome Street in lower Manhattan. Dedicated to the Filipinos in New York, the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz is the first worship place in the United States to be named after the first Filipino saint.

Cable TV Mass

San Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino migrants and overseas Filipino workers.

Fr. Erno Diaz wants to hold a TV Mass for them at the chapel and aired via cable TV. So he asked friends from Manila to help raise money through a fundraising dinner-concert.

Thanks to our donor sponsors who gave P5,000 each from the bottom of their hearts, plus Bank of Commerce, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. who also helped financially.

Thanks to Isabel Tobias, secretary general of the Presidential Council of Values Formation who initiated some help, so we could give a down payment of P50,000 to Manila Hotel.

Thanks to Candido Dizon who bought two tables so we would have money for initial expenses. Thanks to the Philippine Women?s University for letting us use the chair?s boardroom for meetings. Thanks to Manila Manor Hotel for hosting Fr. Erno during his stay here. Thanks to all those who bought tickets.

San Lorenzo Ruiz came through again. At the last minute, we were able to get Bobby Caballero and Chiqui Roa-Puno to emcee the show pro bono. Thanks to Joe Mari and Deeda Barretto for not charging us too much.

The TV Mass will be launched on the feast day of San Lorenzo Ruiz on Sept. 28, 2 p.m., at St. Patrick Cathedral. The TV Mass will be aired at least on two Sundays of the month. We wish ABS-CBN could be a partner in this endeavor. Those who want to be partners in this outreach can write Fr. Erno at Filipino Apostolate Center, 378 Broome St., New York, New York 10013, USA; or call 212-966-1019 after July 21. In Manila, you can text 0917-8718870.

Ambassador Alex Melchor

In commemoration of the sixth death anniversary of Ambassador Alejandro ?Alex? Melchor Jr., a memorial Mass was celebrated by Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles yesterday at the Far Eastern University Chapel.

On the same day, July 12, the Alejandro Melchor Jr. Foundation in collaboration with FEU sponsored the 2nd Annual ?Pathways to Leadership? conference attended by outstanding young leaders.

Pilgrimages

Vacationers may want to join the Best of Europe tour that includes Lourdes and Fatima passing through seven countries, touching Amsterdam, Brussels, Barcelona, Zaragoza (Lady of the Pillar), Nice, Monte Carlo, Assisi (St. Francis), Pisa, Burgos and Salamanca. Departures are on Aug. 8, Oct. 9 and 27. Call Adams Travel at 521165l or 5211698.

Prayer warriors

The Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls (PWHS) will mark its 16th foundation day with a general assembly on July 19, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Worship Hall of Spirit of Love Community, Manila Seedling Bank compound on Edsa corner Quezon Avenue.

Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. Guest speaker is Bro. Arnold Monera (1 p.m.-1:15 p.m.). Text 0918-9290603 or call 5312157.