PITCHING IN

CICM centennial celebration in Bontoc
GLO A. TUAZON

BONTOC, Mountain Province --It was a hundred years ago when Christianism first came to the land of the Igorots. A group of mostly Belgian together with a few Dutch priests came to the Mountain Provinces and grown roots here. It was Valentines day in 1906 when the apostolic delegate to the Philippines Msgr. Ambrosius Agius sent a letter of request to Father Adolf Van Hecke who was then the Superior General of the CICM congregation. The Spanish friars who were previously heading the Christian communitites left after the war when the Spaniards were defeated by the Americans and the natives were left without pastoral guides. Aguis appealed to have some missionaries sent in place of the friars. After the conference and consultations with authorities, Pope Pius X gave his blessings to the endeavor.

This new Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe is part of the three vicariates originally created on July 6, 1992 along with that of Baguio and Tabuk, and covers all 10 municipalities of the Mountain Provinces and 11 of Ifugao as well. It is important to note also that the vicariate has spread out 13 stations throughout the coverage area of the 2 provinces to be able to reach out to the parishioners. The vicariate seat however remains in Teng-ab, Bontoc.

So Dec. 12-15, the CICM of Bontoc-Lagawe celebrated its 100th year in existence up north and going by the theme "Remembering, Rerooting, Revitalizing". They are now "Looking back with pride and gratitude, and forging ahead with faith and confidence." The culminating activity was held at the Sta. Rita Cathedral in Poblacion, Bontoc and was well attended. Dec. 13, was the day slated for the street parade and the participating Catholic schools strutted along the humid streets of Bontoc to do their stuff after which they proceeded to the grounds of Sta. Rita Cathedral and the Municipal Plaza for the cultural dance competition.

An exhibit was opened at the Bontoc museum to show the "evolution" of the CICM body throughout the years. The evening would not have been complete without the play and mini concert led by Fr. Marcial Castaneda together with the SMU Bayombong chorale group. The Belgian consul to the Philippines Rene Peeters and his wife graced the events along with Gov. Maximo Dalog and the local officials of Bontoc and the personalities of the Catholic churches from the two provinces. On the evening of Dec. 14, the Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev. Arch. Edward Joseph Adams arrived to help unveil and bless the bust and memorial stones of Fr. Jules Sepulchre. All done with the activities, Bontoc once again rested a day to welcome the upcoming Provincial meet set Dec. 16-20.