ARTICLES

Filipinos celebrate their faith at Cathedral

By Steve Neill
Of The Catholic Virginian

Filipino Catholics in the Diocese of Richmond packed the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Sunday, July 8, for the first ever Filipino Pilgrimage.

The congregation of approximately 1,000 included people of all ages — from small children to the elderly, some of whom came forward to Communion leaning on the arms of younger adults.

“Today is a moment of history,” said Dr. Emmanuel Eugenio, chairman of the diocesan Filipino Commission, at the conclusion of the two-hour liturgy. “Through the benevolence of our bishop, we are here.”

The congregation immediately rose from their seats and gave Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo a standing ovation.

Obviously pleased, the bishop joined the applause and moved his hands in varying directions indicating his appreciation to those gathered at the Fiesta as he nodded toward them.

Father Arturo Balagat, a priest of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., who is president of the National Asian Pacific Catholic Organization, presided at the Mass and preached the homily.

The priest, who came to the United States in 1992 and is now a U.S. citizen, pointed out that there are four million Filipinos in the U.S., including those who were born here. In the Diocese of Richmond there are an estimated 30,000 Filipinos, most of whom live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and surrounding areas.

Both the first and second readings were spoken in Tagalog, the non-English language most spoken by Filipinos. Deacon Cris Romero, of St. Matthew parish in Virginia Beach, proclaimed the Gospel in both Tagalog and English.

Referring to the 72 apostles mentioned in the day’s Gospel, Father Balagat said that the disciples were to travel simply as they went forward to spread the Good News of the Lord.

“We have to rely and trust in God as our main source of power and wealth,” he asserted.

Father Balagat encouraged Filipino families to promote vocations to the priesthood. Most of the priests from the Philippines now serving in parishes in the diocese were present for the Pilgrimage.

As he concluded his words promoting vocations to the priesthood, Father Balagat told two humorous stories which drew peals of laughter.

The priest described a conversation of four mothers whose sons had just been ordained priests at the Cathedral. The mothers reflected on the future of their respective sons.

“My son will be known later as the Most Reverend,” one mother said, indicating the common address to a bishop.

“My son will be called Your Eminence,” replied the second mother, indicating the designation for a cardinal.

“And my son will gain the title of Your Holiness,” said the third mother, in reference to the Pope.

The fourth mother remained silent. The other three then questioned her as to what she thought would happen to her son.

“My son will get much bigger and taller,” the mother said reflectively. “People will look at him and say, ‘Oh, my God!’”

Later Dr. Eugenio, a pediatrician who is a member of both Redeemer parish in Mechanicsville and Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond, told The Catholic Virginian that he had been in the U.S. for 10 years. He had wanted to remain in his native Philippines where he studied medicine and “serve my people.”

“But the economic and political situation was so bad,” he said. “Even though I had three jobs, I was not making enough money to buy a new car.

“I wanted to move from Manila to the provinces where it was safer, but my wife didn’t want to. Her family is in New York and Los Angeles and family is important to us.”

Life in the U.S. has also been good for Dr. Aleli Romero, a physician who is the wife of Deacon Cris Romero. She came to the U.S. in 1965 and lived briefly in Norfolk before settling in Virginia Beach where they now live. The Romero’s sent all three of their children to St. Matthew’s School.

Dr. Romero’s younger daughter, Cynthia, is a physician who is in practice with her mother. Her son, Al, is an international food buyer in northern Virginia. Her oldest child, Mary, is in medical school to follow in the footsteps of her mother and sister.

Following the liturgy there was a reception in the ballroom of the Landmark Theater, a block from the Cathedral. The reception featured food, fellowship and entertainment.

back to top