The members of the Family of the Rogate, here in Iloilo joined with joyful hearts the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia. There was the novena in preparation for the Feast Day of the saint. In Barangay Capul-an, Mina Iloilo, The St. Hannibal Mary Discernment Center (Rogamina Community), together with the UPV Seniors and Youth, had the novena masses which started on May 23, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. It was held at The Shrine of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia. Then on the Feast Day, June 1, 2012, Friday at 4:00 p.m. started the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The celebration was presided over by Fr. Nicolas Villora, RCJ, who celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Religious Profession; and which he renewed his vows. It was after the Prayer after Communion. Present also in the celebration were Fr. Francis Paul Escaño, RCJ who was the homilist, Fr. Tomas Delicana, Parish Priest of The Patronage of St. Joseph Parish, Pototan, Fr. Andres Gastala, Assistant Parish Priest of The Patronage of St. Joseph Parish, Pototan, Msgr. Elmer Tababa of The Patronage of St. Joseph Parish, Pototan, Fr. Ricardo Vendabal, Parish Priest of The Holy Child Parish Palanguia, Pototan, and Msgr. Efren Condino, Parish Priest St. John Baptist Parish Dingle, Iloilo. On this same occasion, there was the Perpetual Profession of Bro. Santos S. Solitario, RCJ and the Renewal of Vows of Bro. Joebert C. Belgica, RCJ. The celebration was graced with the Molo Choir with its beautiful songs. Devotees, sponsors and pilgrims who came from different towns, the UPV members from Oton were present.
In Oton, Iloilo, there was the novena in preparation at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. It started on the morning of May 23, 2012. Then another one, which was in the afternoon, was at San Antonio de Padua Chapel in Barangay San Antonio from where the UPV members are residing. The UPV - Children of St. Hannibal Mary (San Antonio de Padua Community) from Oton organized the activities by themselves. On June 1, 2012, Msgr. Jose Gamboa, the Head of the Tribunal during the diocesan process for the canonization of St. Hannibal Mary presided the holy mass.
The Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan, Iloilo also joined in celebrating the feast of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia. There was the Holy Mass at the Hospital chapel which was at 1:00 a.m. with Fr. Joel Camuel, MJ as the presider. Then at 3:00 p.m. the devotees of St. Hannibal Mary had their daily prayer.
