Coronation of image of OL of Prompt Succor, set on May 6
By Andri Jay Q. Laborte
On October 12, 2022, Rev. Fr. William M. Parde, Jr., Parish Priest of the St. Francis of Assist Parish in Buhi, together with the Episcopal Coronation Team (ECT) had a virtual meeting with Nicodemus Sirios, III, and Michael Delos Reyes. The latter guided and instructed the ECT in applying for an episcopal coronation of the image of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. During the meeting, the consultors laid down the requirements for submission to the office of the Archbishop of Caceres in light of the application for the said coronation. The requirements were (1) the devotion to our Lady is more than a decade; (2) a collection of at least 50 handwritten and signed miracle testimonies; (3) a collection of old and new photos of the venerated image; (4) signature campaign petitioning for the Episcopal Coronation; (5) a resolution supporting the Episcopal Coronation of the Local Government and all barangays within the jurisdiction of the parish; (6)a letter promoting the Episcopal Coronation from the Parish Pastoral Council and from the clergy of the Vicariate.
After the meeting, the members of the ECT were designated to different committees for the signature campaign, collection of old and new pictures, replicas, and novenas, and collection of miracle testimonies.
On October 16, 2022, in all Sunday masses, the parish announced the plan for the Episcopal Coronation of the image of Our Lady and asked the lay faithful who possess photographs, replicas, and old novenas of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to lend the pictures and copies for the special purpose.
On October 22, 2022, the team began to ask for the help and participation of the faithful in the signature campaign as announced in the anticipated mass. The team then went schools and institutions to take part in the signature campaign. At the same time, the team started to look for devotees who would give their miracle testimonies.
The months of October and November were spent preparing and compiling all the requirements that were needed to be submitted to the office of the Archbishop.
During the Solemnity of Christ the King, the team gathered all the requirements compiled and grouped them in three volumes. The first volume is the Joint Resolution of the Local Government Unit of Buhi and all barangays under the jurisdiction of the Parish, a letter of promotion from the priests of the Vicariate, a letter of promotion of the Parish Pastoral Council, and the signature campaign responded by the faithful, people from various schools, and institutions. The second volume contains the old and new pictures of Our Lady, pictures of her replicas, and the novenas published in her honor. The third volume is comprised of the miracle testimonies, answered prayers and petitions to Our Lady of Prompt Succor.
On December 12, 2022, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, two months after the preparation, the team submitted the requirements for the Episcopal Coronation. Headed by Fr. Parde, Jr. and Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Roy S. Gueriña, the ECT handed over all the requirements to His Grace, Most Rev. Rolando Octavus J. Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D. The Archbishop responded positively to the petition.
From December 30 to January 7, the novena and novenary masses were held celebrated in preparation for the upcoming feast of Our Lady.
On the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, on January 8, Archbishop Tria Tirona celebrated the Pilgrims’ Mass. During the Mass, the Archbishop announced that the petition for the episcopal coronation of Our Lady was approved. Later in the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Rex Luis Hidalgo, who was once the Parochial Vicar of Buhi, celebrated the Community Mass and officiated the induction ceremonies of the new members of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Association (OLPSA). The Solemn Procession in honor of Our Lady followed.
The Executive Officers of the Parish Pastoral Council preferred May 6, 2023 as the date for the episcopal coronation.
On February 23, 2023, Archbishop Tria Tirona officially granted the petition for the Episcopal Coronation of Our Lady of Prompt Succor which will be held on May 6, 2023 at three in the afternoon at the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi.
From February 11 to April 27, the image of Our Lady visited the parishes in the Vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi and all the barangays, sitios, schools, and institutions within the parish jurisdiction. This was called “Pagsungko ni Ina nin Hidaling Pagtabang Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro Reina del Pueblo Buhi.”
The parish held fund raising activities for the activity. The parish produced merchandise items such as shirts, tarpaulins, mugs, umbrellas, and fans that are available for sale which help in spreading devotion to Our Lady. On April 29 a fun walk activity will be held, also one of the fund-raising activities.
The parish invites the faithful to witness this milestone in the devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the local Church of Caceres.