MANILA, Philippines - All roads will lead to Tarlac on Sept. 14, the Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, which coincides with the 10th-year anniversary of the Servants of the Risen Christ. The monastic community is the custodian of the Holy Relic of the True Cross of Jesus that was enshrined by then Papal Nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni, together with some archbishops and bishops of the Philippines, at Monasterio de Tarlac on a quiet mountaintop in Lubigan, San José, Tarlac.

Reverend Archie Cortez, the prior, was invited in 2005 by Rutz Ruhloff, president of the Philippine-German Association in Oberhausen, to attend the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. During this visit, he met Msgr. Volker Bauer, from the Diocese of Essen in Germany, who at the time was the custodian of the relic of the Holy Cross.

Bauer was looking for the ideal and willing candidate who could take over the guardianship of the relic, since the monastic life in Europe was slowly fading. He chose Servants of the Risen Christ because of their devotion to the Holy Cross and being a monastic community in a dominantly Catholic country in Asia.

History of the relic

Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, in her journey to the Holy Land in 312 AD, had the temple dedicated to Venus destroyed. Uncovered was Christ?s sepulcher and three crosses. To discern which of the crosses was Christ?s, they were brought to a gravely ill woman. When she touched the third cross, she got healed?a sign that this was the true Cross of Jesus. Following the fall of Constantinople, fragments of the Cross were divided among the knights as booty and were distributed to churches and monasteries in Europe. Sixteen centuries later, a relic of the true Cross, now encased in a silver arqueta engraved with Christian symbols associated with the Crucifixion, lies in the Chapel of the Holy Cross in the peaceful and quiet Monasterio de Tarlac.

Twice a year the relic is open for public viewing, on Jan. 30, the date it was enshrined, and Sept. 14, Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross. Daily Masses are (except Thursday) at 10:30 a.m. followed by a veneration of the relic. It is traditionally believed that more healing takes place during these dates.

Archbishop Ernesto Salgado of Vigan and Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinenze will lead the concelebrated Mass Sept. 14, 9 a.m. Exposition of the relic will follow.

Trip to Marian shrines

Fr. Gerry Tapiador, Bible scholar, will lead pilgrims to Lourdes, France, and other Marian shrines Oct. 14-28. Organized by SPG Travel, the pilgrimage celebrates the 150th anniversary of Our Lady?s apparition to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes. Text Sonia at 0928-6958000 or call 7721737.

Father Gerry says, ?Every pilgrimage is a fulfillment of my studies in Biblical archeology and in how I can help people discover and understand the truths in the Gospel, in the excavations of holy places and in the excavation of their souls.?

Ilagan bishop

A Franciscan Capuchin is the new bishop of Ilagan, Isabela. Bishop Joseph Nacua will be installed at St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Barangay Upi, Gana, Isabela, on Sept. 9.

Bishop Nacua, 63, was born in Mangkayan, Benguet, Jan. 5, 1945. He entered the Capuchin Order on May 17, 1960. He studied philosophy at St. Anthony?s School of Philosophy (Capuchin House of Studies), in Kerala, India (1963-1966). He finished his Master of Arts at Asian Social Institute (Manila); Licentiate in Spirituality at Gregorian Pontifical University (1974-1976); and Doctorate in Spirituality at Bonaventure University in New York.

Father Joseph professed perpetual vows in Pamplona, Spain, in 1967. He was ordained deacon in Imus, Cavite, in 1971. He was ordained priest in General Santos City on June 27 of the same year. Before his ordination as bishop, Most Reverend Nacua was parish priest of San Isidro Church in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Hermandad

The Cofradia de la Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga is hosting the Hermandad de la Sagrada Pasion de Jesus? 7th Encuentro entitled ?Hermandad Por La Soledad: Kabite sa Isang Araw!? This shall be held Sept. 13, in celebration of the Hermandad?s first-year anniversary and also in anticipation of the 30th anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga.

Activities include pilgrimage to the seven oldest churches in Cavite, namely Parish of St. Michael in Bacoor; Cathedral Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar in Imus; Parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Kawit; Parish of San Roque, which is the Shrine of Soledad de Porta Vaga in Cavite City; Parish of the Most Holy Rosary in Rosario town; Parish of the Most Holy Cross, which is the Shrine of St. Augustine in Tanza; and Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Gen. Trias where most of the activities will be done.

Delegates from cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces shall experience the religious cultures and traditions of Cavite.

Fr. Virgilio Saenz Mendoza, spiritual adviser, will give a historical background on the different parishes and devotion to the Virgen de la Soledad. The Hermandad de la Sagrada Pasion de Jesus is an organization of owners of Holy Week processional images around the country.

Retreat center

The John Mary Vianney Retreat Center was inaugurated and blessed in Aug. 23 by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales who celebrated Mass at the center?s chapel.

Attending were guests and benefactors headed by Felicidad Sy of the SM Group.

Located in a 1.2-hectare property in Tagaytay, the center is run by Msgr. Chito Bernardo and Fr. Rey Cunigonda. The center provides activities to strengthen priests spiritually and emotionally. The Chapel of Transfiguration is the heart of the center.