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Thousands Trekked to Mt. Samat To Open National Eucharistic and Marian Year Peachy Yamsuan Photos by Noli Yamsuan
Thousands trekked up to Mt. Samat in Bataan for a Mass that formally launched the Diocese of Balanga's celebration of the National Eucharistic and Marian Year. The Mass at dusk on November 27, celebrated by Balanga Bishop Socrates B. Villegas, also signaled the start of the Season of Advent which opens a new Liturgical Year for Catholics.
According to organizers about 15,000 gathered at the peak of the national shrine and these included government officials-Bataan governor, congressmen, mayors together with their families.
The trek began at 3 pm at the foot of the mountain in Pilar town. Bishop Villegas blessed the trekkers and joined them in the 7.5 kilometer walk up the peak. At 5:30pm the program began with a Biblical pantomime performed by youth of Abucay town. This was followed by the Mass celebrated by Bishop Villegas with his entire clergy.
In his homily, Bishop Villegas exhorted the people to remember the heroism that the shrine stands for, and also to aspire for the holiness that God calls them to. He said that the other face of "love for God is love for country."
At the close of the Mass Bishop Villegas lit the first of the four candles of the Advent wreath. From this lighted candle, young people lit their candles which they in turn used to light up the candles of the people present. Thousands of flickering candles lit up Mt. Samat, a light, Bishop Villegas said, that could be seen from miles, maybe even across the sea where the outline of Metro Manila could be glimpsed.
A 10-minute fireworks display at the foot of the cross at Mt. Samat delighted the crowd and capped the day's event. |
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