FOR THE past 11 years, the devotees of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Lipa, Batangas, have been celebrating the miraculous intercession of the first Filipino saint by holding a novena of Masses from September 19 to 27 in preparation for his feast day on September 28. The novena takes place in San Sebastian Cathedral, before the image of the saint donated by businessman Danny Dolor. There is a procession before the fiesta Mass in the evening from Lipa Cathedral to the poblacion. Parish priest Ernesto Mandanas oversees the activities.

It all began in 1988 when Danny Dolor arrived from San Francisco, where he visited his niece Tanini Serrano de Leon who had surgery to relieve her from ?myasthenia gravis.? It was a life-threatening situation hence the family prayed to San Lorenzo Ruiz to intercede for a miracle. In thanksgiving for a successful surgery, which saved the patient, Danny promised the saint he would propagate his devotion.

Tribute

When Pope John Paul II declared he would canonize Lorenzo Ruiz on October 18, 1987, Danny Dolor mounted a concert tribute to the first Filipino saint at Saint Francis Minor Seminary in Lipa. Featured were sopranos Sylvia La Torre and Rogie Cabreza, tenor Arturo Navera, Tribung Pinoy, Sim Rodriguez and his String Ensemble and Lipa Archdiocesan Grand Choir. Dely Magpayo was emcee.

Archbishop Mariano Gaviola was special guest. Today, Danny continues the propagation of the devotion in Lipa, and of late at the Emilio Aguinaldo College of which he is chairman of the board. Father Erno Diaz, who promoted the devotion in New York for 27 years, will celebrate Mass for the students and faculty on September 28, 9:30 a.m., at the auditorium.

The Powervoice from Ilagan, Isabela, will be brought over by SN Lazo Medical Center to sing during the Mass. The statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz will be blessed and enthroned at the chapel dedicated to him.

Diaz, who wrote the book ?On the Road with San Lorenzo Ruiz,? remembered Cardinal Sin told him to propagate the devotion. He gave him a statue to put inside the chapel on Broome Street in downtown Manhattan in New York. It turned out it was Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua who gave the statue to Cardinal Sin. The book is available at National Book Store, UST Press and the PR office of Philippine Women?s University. Text 0917-8718870.

POEA Mass

Lawyer Jennifer Manalili, administrator of Phil. Overseas Workers Association, will lead the celebration of the feast day of San Lorenzo Ruiz on September 28 with a Mass at 12 noon at Balik Manggagawa Processing Center. A three-foot statue of the saint donated by Joe and Luella Ramos of New York stands in a corner where OFWs pray to him.

Taking care of the devotion are Nora Nitura; Lolita Aragon, chief budget officer; Baby Castañeda, Maritime Training officer; lawyer Stephen Cascolan, POEA chief of staff; Mario Naz, chief labor and employment officer; Candy Vistro and Metty Sto. Domingo.

At Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Cardinal Rosales will officiate the Concelebrated Mass on September 28, 5:30 p.m. Monsignor Jerome Reyes is rector and parish priest.

Our Lady of Manaoag

The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Manaoag will visit Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Retiro St., Quezon City, September 20-October 4. The image will be brought by Jovita Sy and friends from Manaoag at 12 noon in time for the Mass. This is one of the highlights of the feast of the Virgin on October 4. Jesse Nell is pastoral council president.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

The Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus along Mayon St., Quezon City, is holding a novena until September 26. There will be a procession after the Mass on September 26 at 7:30 p.m. The parish fiesta is September 27. Feast day of the saint is October 1.

The traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor Salomen September 20, 9:30 a.m., at the National Shrine of St. Therese in Villamor Airbase and on September 27, 9:30 a.m., by Father John Anthony.

Table setting

The Maligaya Institute for Culinary Arts and Residential Services (Micars) is holding a seminar on September 26, 8 a.m.-12 noon, at the Tahilan Center of Opus Dei on 2388 Leon Guinto St., Malate. Minette Sison will teach table setting for Christmas, while Cynthia and Marilou Singian will teach cooking. Seminar fee is P500 per person, to raise funds for scholarships. To order cookies, call 5238355.