PAGKILALA/TRIBUTE: The 22nd Anniversary of the National Shrine of St. Anne

   Last July 26, the feast of Apo Ana de Hagonoy in the National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne, the Kapatiran ng Kapariang Taga-Hagonoy, Inc. (KAKATHA) met once again to create a new page in its 42-year history. With the reunion of the priest-members, three of the new officers were elected by the body: Rev. Msgr. Ranilo Santos Trillana, P.C. (Sta. Monica) as President; Rev. Fr. Anacleto Clemente Ignacio (Sta.Monica) as Vice President and Rev. Fr. Virgilio Mangahas Cruz (San Jose) as Treasurer. Brought with joy in this new rise within the Kapatiran, Rev. Msgr. Luciano C. Balagtas, P.C., Parish Priest and Rector of the National Shrine of St. Anne (NSSA) proposed a motion for the new officers. He wished for KAKATHA to lead the 22^nd year of NSSA as a national shrine in the country.

The retablo of the National Shrine of St. Anne, decorated with the embellishments for the celebration.

The pilgrim image of Apo Ana de Hagonoy enthroned in the sanctuary during the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Nine priests attended the celebration: Rev. Fr. Anacleto Clemente Ignacio as presider, Rev. Msgr. Sabino Azurin Vengco, Jr., H.P. as homilist, Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Vengco Sunga, H.P., Rev. Fr. Bartolome Saguinsin Bernabe, Rev. Fr. Nicanor Trinidad Victorino and Rev. Fr. Rolando Reyes Atienza as concelebrants. The priests in the shrine - Rev. Msgr. Luciano C. Balagtas, P.C., Parish Priest and Rector of NSSA, Rev. Fr. Gino Carlo B. Herrera, Parochial Vicar and Rev. Fr. Juvenson C. Alarcon, Attached Priest - also were concelebrants.

The celebrants during the doxology in the celebration of the Holy Mass at the national shrine.

   With much fervor to further unite the brotherhood, the officers deemed for the motion to become a reality. It was on October 29 in the Year of Faith 2013 that this day of thanksgiving came to be. The Misa Mayor was attended by the faithful of the parish and presided over by Rev. Fr. Anacleto Clemente Ignacio. The Hagonoeño concelebrants in the celebration were the following: Rev. Msgr. Sabino Azurin Vengco, Jr., H.P. (San Jose), KAKATHA General Consultant who served as the homilist; Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Vengco Suñga, H.P. (Sto. Niño), Rev. Fr. Bartolome Saguinsin Bernabe (Sto. Rosario), Rev. Fr. Nicanor Trinidad Victorino (Sta. Monica) and Rev. Fr. Rolando Reyes Atienza (Sagrada Familia). Msgr. Balagtas, Rev. Fr. Gino Carlo B. Herrera, Parochial Vicar and Rev. Fr. Juvenson C. Alarcon (Attached Priest) were also there to concelebrate. In his homily, Msgr. Vengco pointed out that the importance of the shrine as a shrine is because of how the people have loved Apo Ana throughout the years. And he also pointed out the importance of the faith of the people in relation to legacy it has left for them – the many priests who now compose KAKATHA. Thus, he saw the good in the joint celebration of NSSA and in order to promote both the cultural heritage of Hagonoy as well as attract more vocations to the priesthood.

Rev. Fr. Juvenson C. Alarcon, Attached Priest giving communion to the faithful in the shrine.

The beginning of the procession in the shrine in honor of Apo Ana de Hagonoy.

   In the spirit of thanksgiving, the parishioners of the shrine went on rejoicing in the midday procession that followed the mass. The relic of the shrine was presented before the faithful for veneration and the pilgrim image of St. Anne was delightfully brought out of the shrine for the faithful to join in the public admiration for Apo Ana. Such was the festive gathering that it reminded the faithful of the love Apo Ana has poured for the souls of the people of Hagonoy through her prayers.

The priest-members of KAKATHA together with the relatives of the old priests after the celebration of the Holy Mass.

   Meanwhile, the Hagonoeño gathered in the Knights of Columbus Hall in the shrine convent for the continuation of their meetings as a brotherhood. Rev. Fr. Vicente Burayag Lina, Jr. (Sto. Niño), KAKATHA Consultant and Fr. Cruz were able to attend the meeting of the priests during lunch wherein they tackled on the future of the Kapatiran and the vision for more vocations. In this new phase of the history of the shrine and of the people, it is truly a remarkable presence for the priests and the people working together for the continuing legacy of the faithful response of the people of the town of Hagonoy.

Viva Apo Ana de Hagonoy!!!

Photo Courtesy: Sem. Kendrick Ivan B. Panganiban
                  Publication Director