The dawn broke to clear skies, the sun peaked from the distant horizon, and ushered in a beautiful day.  This was the 2nd of November, 2003, the great day when the holy souls are remembered throughout Christendom.

    So it was that we, the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls, trooped to the magnificent Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila, to offer a concelebrated Mass for the holy souls. This Mass for the holy souls was the highlight of a year-long flurry of preparation and activities.  

    Kits were handed out to the parishioners and visitors.  Each contained the missalette, the novena prayer, the stampita with the prayer of St. Gertrude the Great, announcement of the Nov. 22nd formation on Christ-centered living, and application form for membership.  With the Filipino-Chinese members of the community joining the Prayer Warriors at Mass, this magnificent church with a seating capacity of 1,000, was almost filled.    

The Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz was the venue of the Mass in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed held last Nov. 2, 2003. Msgr. Josefino Ramirez, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila and the Parish Priest of the Basilica, was the Main Celebrant. He was joined in the Concelebrated Mass by Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, Spiritual Director of the PWHS, Fr. Allan Ocdenaria, Fr. Rupert Palla, and Fr. John Tong.

 At exactly 9:45 AM, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, spiritual adviser of PWHS, led the congregation through the first day prayers of a nine-day novena for the holy souls.  The Holy Mass followed at 10:00. 

    Msgr. Josefino S. Ramirez, Parish Priest and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila, was the Main Celebrant in the Concelebrated Mass.  Concelebrants were:  Fr. Allan Ocdenaria, Fr. Rupert Palla, Fr. John Tong, and Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, Spiritual Director of the PWHS. 

    In his homily, Msgr. Ramirez spoke of God’s plan for all of us, and that is, to be with Him throughout eternity.  He reminded the faithful that “God is giving us many opportunities to prepare for heaven.”  He described our daily trials as “purification that the Lord allows us to go through everyday as His merciful love prepares us for heaven.”  Should we be lacking in purity at the hour of our death, “God, in His mercy, has given us Purgatory” to cleanse us and prepare us for heaven.  He reminded us that only when a soul is cleansed and purified can he behold the majesty of God.  “Let us pray for our parents with particular devotion, pray for our relatives and friends, for those who are forgotten, not only for this month, but for everyday of the year.”

    The good Monsignor, who has given, and continues to give, strong support to the apostolate of the PWHS in spreading and strengthening the devotion of praying for the holy souls, invited special guest singers who regaled the congregation with their beautiful renditions of the classical “Ave Maria,” “Our Father,” and a current favorite of the young and the old alike, “My Prayer.”

    As the last hymn was sang at the end of Holy Mass, the bells pealed at the five-tiered octagonal bell tower, signaling the end of a beautiful celebration so fittingly held in one of the most beautiful churches in the country.  Msgr. Ramirez’s words, a touching quotation from St. Monica as she spoke to her son, St. Francis, on her deathbed, lingered: 

    “Son, tears run dry, flowers wither, candles melt.  Do not forget to remember me at Mass to pray for my soul.”

    This important event was covered by the National Broadcasting Network Channel 4, aired on national television at 3:00 PM on the same day, and also by the Catholic radio station, Radio Veritas, which is heard in all parts of the Philippines.

    Some important facts about the Basilica:  When it was first built in 1614, it was dedicated to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.  Ravaged by a succession of wars, it has always risen from the ashes, each time more magnificent and more beautiful, all due to the great faith and devotion of the Filipino-Chinese Christians in the community.  The dignity, glory, and beauty of this sacred place, preserved through the centuries, was awarded with the conferral of the title “Minor Basilica” by the Supreme Pontiff and renamed to honor the first Filipino saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, who served in this church as sacristan.  Today it glorifies God as it stands as one of the grandest and most beautiful temples in the country. 

By Edna B. Agustin,

PWHS Core Group Member