SAN JOSE, Tarlac -Around 5,000 devotees flocked to the Monasterio de Tarlac last week to celebrate the 5th anniversary enshrinement of the true relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.
A mass led by Bishop Florentino Cinense and Servants of the Risen Christ founder Rev. Fr. Ronald Thomas Cortez was held at the quadrangle at the middle of the Monastic community.
Notable guests who attended the Eucharistic celebration were Vice President JejomarBinay, Ambassador Tita de Villa and former Senator Ernesto Maceda, to name just a few.
Pilgrims from here and abroad started to arrive as early as 5 a.m. to view and touch the holy relic that is exposed for public veneration only twice a year.
The actual sacred fragment is encased in a silver arqueta found at the foot of the altar and enclosed by grilled doors.
The relic of the true Cross made its way to the Philippines from Essen, Germany through divine providence and the faith of Father Archie Cortez, Servant of the Risen Christ [SRC] prior.
In 2005, Father Archie was invited by Mr. Lutz Rolhoff, President of the Philippines German Association in Oberhausen, as guest to the World Youth Day in Cologne. The young priest met with Msgr. Volker Bauer, from the Diocese of Essen where the relic of the holy Cross been kept about 1,000 years.
When asked by Msrg. Bauer if he was willing to take care of the sacred artifact, Father Archie immediately agreed.
“All I can think of that time was to bring home the sacred relic so Filipinos from all walks of life can worship the most important symbol of Christ’ sacrifice. We are forever grateful to all our generous benefactors who helped build and renovate the chapel. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes out to the late Congressman Aping Yap who offered the Land where the Monastery now stands,” Father Archie said.
In Gov. Victor Yap’s speech, he said that Tarlac is privileged and honored to host one of the most important artifacts of Christianity.
“Tarlac is proud to host the Holy Relic…it has brought much to the province and we were put into the map of religious and tourist destinations,” Gov. Yap said.
The governor likewise thanked all those who have came to celebrate the fifth year of the Relic’s enshrinement and to those who have done their part in bringing the Holy Relic into the province.
Second District Rep. Susan Yap for her part said that the arrival of the Relic has brought economic prosperity to Tarlac and has spared the province from devastation brought about by man-made and natural calamities.
“The relic will stay with us forever,” she said.
The holy relic was formally enshrined on Jan. 29, 2007 at the Monasterio de Tarlac officiated by the Most Rev. Fernando Filoni, D.D. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.
The Monasterio de Tarlac is located at the heart of the Tarlac Eco Tourism Park, a 20-hectare property with picnic parks and well-manicured gardens strewn with life-size statues. The most majestic is a statue of the Risen Christ measuring 30 feet which is reminiscent of the famous Christ Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Monastery is home to SRC, an apostolic monastic community of monks, living in prayer, works and service. The congregation’s religious women counterparts are the contemplative nuns, the Handmaids, the Oblates of the Risen Christ.
The chapel of the Holy Cross is open to the public daily except Thursday. The Mass is celebrated daily at 10:30 a.m. and an additional mass at 3:00 p.m. every Sunday, said Arvin Cabalu, Media Affairs head.
A mass led by Bishop Florentino Cinense and Servants of the Risen Christ founder Rev. Fr. Ronald Thomas Cortez was held at the quadrangle at the middle of the Monastic community.
Notable guests who attended the Eucharistic celebration were Vice President JejomarBinay, Ambassador Tita de Villa and former Senator Ernesto Maceda, to name just a few.
Pilgrims from here and abroad started to arrive as early as 5 a.m. to view and touch the holy relic that is exposed for public veneration only twice a year.
The actual sacred fragment is encased in a silver arqueta found at the foot of the altar and enclosed by grilled doors.
The relic of the true Cross made its way to the Philippines from Essen, Germany through divine providence and the faith of Father Archie Cortez, Servant of the Risen Christ [SRC] prior.
In 2005, Father Archie was invited by Mr. Lutz Rolhoff, President of the Philippines German Association in Oberhausen, as guest to the World Youth Day in Cologne. The young priest met with Msgr. Volker Bauer, from the Diocese of Essen where the relic of the holy Cross been kept about 1,000 years.
When asked by Msrg. Bauer if he was willing to take care of the sacred artifact, Father Archie immediately agreed.
“All I can think of that time was to bring home the sacred relic so Filipinos from all walks of life can worship the most important symbol of Christ’ sacrifice. We are forever grateful to all our generous benefactors who helped build and renovate the chapel. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes out to the late Congressman Aping Yap who offered the Land where the Monastery now stands,” Father Archie said.
In Gov. Victor Yap’s speech, he said that Tarlac is privileged and honored to host one of the most important artifacts of Christianity.
“Tarlac is proud to host the Holy Relic…it has brought much to the province and we were put into the map of religious and tourist destinations,” Gov. Yap said.
The governor likewise thanked all those who have came to celebrate the fifth year of the Relic’s enshrinement and to those who have done their part in bringing the Holy Relic into the province.
Second District Rep. Susan Yap for her part said that the arrival of the Relic has brought economic prosperity to Tarlac and has spared the province from devastation brought about by man-made and natural calamities.
“The relic will stay with us forever,” she said.
The holy relic was formally enshrined on Jan. 29, 2007 at the Monasterio de Tarlac officiated by the Most Rev. Fernando Filoni, D.D. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.
The Monasterio de Tarlac is located at the heart of the Tarlac Eco Tourism Park, a 20-hectare property with picnic parks and well-manicured gardens strewn with life-size statues. The most majestic is a statue of the Risen Christ measuring 30 feet which is reminiscent of the famous Christ Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Monastery is home to SRC, an apostolic monastic community of monks, living in prayer, works and service. The congregation’s religious women counterparts are the contemplative nuns, the Handmaids, the Oblates of the Risen Christ.
The chapel of the Holy Cross is open to the public daily except Thursday. The Mass is celebrated daily at 10:30 a.m. and an additional mass at 3:00 p.m. every Sunday, said Arvin Cabalu, Media Affairs head.
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