1 A Pilgrimage of Faith in Bataan: 7 Parishes where the Missionaries of Saint Dominic de Guzman Sowed the Seed of the Gospel and Spread the Good News Introduction: The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith from October 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council to November 24, 2013, the Feast of Christ the King. The Pope calls this period as an opportunity “to strengthen our faith in Christ and joyfully to announce Him to the men and women of our time.” The Diocese of Balanga celebrates this special Year with various activities leading off with the designation of seven town-parishes founded by the early Spanish Dominican Fathers, as perpetual Pilgrimage churches and sites in the entire province of Bataan. The pilgrimages to these churches and shrines will involve prayer and reflection. Thus we offer these companion writings as the guide to the pilgrim and as a source of their prayer and spiritual meditation. The pilgrimage is symbolic of earthly life. The image of the pilgrim during Patristic times is of someone who trekked to Rome through treacherous and torturous roads, in a group and with very little money in his pocket. He wore a tunic and sandals and he had on a shoulder cape on which he sewed souvenirs of his pilgrimage. Our life here on earth involves a crisscrossing of rough and rugged roads, sometimes bumpy, sometimes slippery. There might be mountains to climb, obstacles to overcome and heavy loads to carry. Yet, onward we proceed, relying on God’s providence as a shield against the storms of life. However, fear and insecurity can tempt us to bring more in our journey, thus we procure and produce more worldly provisions. We begin to acquire more and in the process become attached to such earthly goods. We become strongly inclined to amass and to hold on to material possessions. This situation can lead to an obscured vision of the way to God. Fettered by possessions we might not take the right road to God and end up in a pit, or stranded on the wayside. Thus it is important that we be reminded constantly of the Way of the Pilgrims, which is to travel unburdened by worldly cares, and to journey in life with the unconditional and untainted vision of meeting God and willingly setting aside all worldly allurements. We travel in this life. We are just pilgrims here on earth. Now is the time to ask: Where does our life lead us? Where do we direct our life? BATAAN 2 Bataan is deeply inscribed in the heart and mind of every Filipino. Bataan signifies democracy and freedom. Here was immortalized the gallant stand of Filipino and American defenders who courageously fought the decisive battles which delayed the imperialistic timetable of the well-equipped Japanese forces and thus changed the course of the Second World War in the Pacific. Bataan was founded by Governor Pedro Manuel Arandia in 1754 and soon after was evangelized by the Spanish missionaries of Saint Dominic de Guzman and Saint Augustine. The Dominican Order sowed the seed of Christianity first in Abucay on June 10, 1588; then in Samal on April 30, 1641; Orion on April 30, 1667; both Orani and Balanga on April 21, 1588; Llana Hermosa on May 8, 1756 and Pilar on March 10, 1801. The Augustinians introduced in 1606 to 1679 the Christian faith in the western side of the province which, at that time, comprised the so-called Corregimiento de Mariveles. They returned on May 1712-1898. Mariveles then had three barrios: Cabcaben in the east, and Bagac and Morong. Mariveles, Bagac and Morong became parishes in 1729, 1873 and 1851, respectively. We start our pilgrimage of Faith with a prayer for a particular grace. We then briefly recall the history of each town and the particular church; remember the exemplary life of the titular patron; and reflect. Before we end our pilgrimage in a particular Church, we recite a prayer. These are the elements of each pilgrimage to the seven town-parishes in province of Bataan where the missionaries of Saint Dominic de Guzman labored and live. I. Place: Hermosa 1. We humbly request for the particular grace of Faith, that our Faith be firm and fruitful. We will hold on to our Faith amidst the trials and temptations of life. We will show our Faith with the proper change of heart and with good deeds done with our hands. The name of the sixth town established and evangelized by Spanish Dominicans on May 08, 1756 was originally derived from Spanish description of a beautiful white flower, Llana Hermosa. It was later given the title Pueblo del San Pedro Martir de Mabuyan. Because of its strategic river Almacen, the town was at par with other important trading posts such as Hagonoy in Bulacan and Sangley Point in Cavite for Chinese and Japanese traders. The simple church, which initially measured 46 yards long and 10 yards wide, stood on a two- hectare lot at the town proper and was a Dominican vicariate. Hardwood from nearby forests was used as beams, rafters and trusses. These were covered with cogon grass as roofing. Historical accounts attest that three original images from San Gabriel Church in Binondo were transported and eventually enshrined in the church. The Spanish Dominican friars selflessly labored in the town until 1768 when the seculars took over and stayed until1838. The friars returned to Bataan on October 5, 1838 and stayed until the Spanish revolution in May 30 1898 which witnessed the martyrdom of Father David Palacin Varas, OP. It was only in 1901 that the Church of Hermosa was handed to the Filipino clergy. 3 The present parish church is dedicated to San Pedro de Verona and measures 58 meters long and 18 meters wide. Its interior and exterior wall finishing materials are old adobe walls that were cut, sliced and re-used. The main church has given birth to another Parish in Balsik that serves 14 barangays. 2. Patron: San Pedro de Verona Old town tales recount how the inhabitants of Llana Hermosa saw a wayward boat in the Almacen river and noticed that a dark image was on it. Curious about the broken and unmanned boat with an appealing dark image on board passing by, the townsfolk hurriedly towed the boat and recognized a picture of a saint. They informed their parish priest, who went to the place and seeing the image realized it was that of Saint Peter of Varona, a Dominican saint. Thereafter the townspeople were called by the loud pealing of the bells and they brought the image in procession to the Church. From that time on, Saint Peter of Verona was honored as patron of Llana Hermosa. Saint Peter was born in Verona, Italy in 1206. His parents were followers of a heretic sect called Manichaens. He was sent to study at the University in Bologna. During his stay and studies he encountered the founder of the Order of Friar Preachers, later known as the Dominicans. Captivated by their holiness of life through prayers and preaching Peter joined the Order. With his solid devotion to studies, dedication to the Word of God, and determination to spread the Faith, St. Peter was named by Pope Gregory IX as General Inquisitor. The Order commissioned him to refute and suppress the Manichaen heresy. He made great progress in this task throughout Italy. Multitude came to listen to him and was brought back to the Catholic Faith, while the Manichaeans did everything to stop him, even seeking his death. Along the way from Como, while returning to Milan on April 06, 1252, he was ambushed by the Manichaeans with their hired an assassin Carino striking his head with ax. Mortally wounded and at the hour of death, Peter knelt and recited the First Article of the Apostles Creed. He willingly offered his life as a sacrifice to God. And with his own blood he inscribed the words “credo in unum Deum” (I believe in one God) on the ground. Not contented Carino pierced his heart with a knife. His body was carried to Milan and was enshrined at the Church of Saint Eustorgio. A year after his martyrdom Pope Innocent IV canonized him on March 25, 1253. A knife on his head explained his sacrificial death for the Catholic Faith. 3. Reflection: “And Jesus replied, have faith in God” (Mark 11,22) Faith starts in the head. It is to know, to believe. Once we believe, we accept. Pope Benedict XVI in his motu propio Porta Fidei (October 11, 2011) says, “only through believing, then, does faith grow and become stronger” (7). Faith is to know the words and works of Jesus. Because of what Jesus preached and did we can also profess what the Apostle Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16,16). With our faith in God, we come to know He loves us, takes good care of us and desires our return to Him. And so like Saint Thomas we also proclaim, “My Lord and my God” (John, 20,28). Faith makes us recognize our being limited, vulnerable and helpless during our earthly pilgrimage. We need God. We then accept that God is 4 our savior. God is the only answer to our needs; the true solution to our problems. Because of faith we realize the redemptive plan and saving works of Jesus working in us. Faith is nurtured in our heart. It is to trust, to love.