Vatican elevates Malolos Cathedral to minor basilica

IMMACULATE Conception Cathedral in historic Malolos was

elevated to a Basilica Minore with a Papal Bull dated April 9,

1999. The Papal Nuncia will officiate the solemn ceremony

making it into a Basilica Minore on Dec. 4 at 8 a.m.

Dec. 4 was the date that the church was established and it is

also near the fiesta of the town, which is Dec. 8, feast of the

Immaculate Conception.

Bulacan, the birthplace of heroes

Besides its being known as a religious people, the Bulakeqenos

are known for their bravery and love for country. Here were

born heroes like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar,

Gen. Anacleto Enriques, Gen. Isidro Torres, Maestro Eusebio

Roque, Trinidad Tecson, Mariano Ponce and Maximo Viola.

The Bulakeqenos fought against Spain during the Philippine

Revolution. In Malolos were born the three

Republics--Kakarong Republic (1896), Biak-na-bato Republic

(1897) and the Malolos Republic (1898).

Fertility rites in Obando

Women who have difficulty in conceiving children go to

Obando and dance in front of the image of Santa Clara. To the

tune of ''Santa Clara, Pinong Pino,'' the dance wildly, believing

that if they do so, they'll be able to have children. I am told that

the ritual is effective.

Religious processions abound

Devotees of the Sto. Niqo attend the grand procession of Sto.

Niqo images in Malolos on one Sunday in January. The town of

Baliwag holds the procession of images connected with the

Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on Holy Wednesday.

Every town holds its own procession to honor its patron saint.

The people are known to keep life-size images in their own

homes.

Bulacan food festival and bazaar

A food festival of Bulacan cuisine is ongoing at the Holiday

Inn's Cafe Coquilla until Nov. 27. Featured are popular dishes

concocted during the revolution against Spain.

A bazaar of handicrafts, jewelry, food items, embroidery,

leathercraft, woodcraft and buntal hats is ongoing at the hotel

until Jan. 3, 2000.

Pilar pastor marks 25 years

When I hear of priests and the religious marking their silver

jubilee in the priesthood or in the religious life, I feel elated and

thankful for God's grace in making these servants of the Lord

able to stay that long in His service.

Msgr. Ben Advincula, parish priest of the Most Holy Trinity

Parish in Pilar, Capiz, will celebrate his silver jubilee on Dec. 14

with a Concelebrated Mass at 9:30 a.m.

I knew Msgr. Ben since he asked help from this column for the

construction of his convent then in Loctugan, Roxas City.

Readers came to the rescue. For that, Msgr. Ben is extremely

grateful.

Three wheelchairs needed

Bishop Cornelius DeWitt, spiritual director of the Mensa

Domini, has miraculously experienced a remission from cancer.

But he needs a wheelchair, so thus two other elderly nuns who

are sick and living in San Jose, Antique. The generalate of the

order is in that town. Those who want to help can beep me at

Easy Call 141-020543.

This is the fourth time that this column would be sending

wheelchairs. First time was to a poor sick woman in Oriental

Mindoro. The second time was to a sick Poor Clares sister who

lives in Maria, Siquijor. The third time was to a bedridden old

man in Ormoc.

Goodbye, Fr. Lory Palafox

I want to remember Fr. Loreto Palafox as he was--brilliant, a very

inspiring homilist and a holy priest. God's ways are not our

ways, so we would not truly understand why he had to die

under such gruesome circumstances. Let's pray for the repose

of his soul.

Miraculous Medal fiesta

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in

Posadas Village, Paraqaque celebrates the fiesta on Nov. 27.

Hermana Mayor is Mila Que.