The Church of San Pedro Apóstol (San Pedro, La Laguna)

Last Friday evening (November 29), me and my family had the blessed opportunity of witnessing a rare historico-religious event right in our adoptive hometown of San Pedro here in the nature province of La Laguna. On that night, our parish church, the centuries-old San Pedro Apóstol (which is just a few minutes walk from our apartment), was consecrated with much pomp, grandeur, and surprising solemnity.

Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol.

San Pedro Apóstol is especially most dear to us because me and Yeyette were married there last September 13.

The Liceo de San Pedro Drum & Lyre marching band, where our única hija Krystal (center) is one of the majorettes. The group accompanied the procession which opened the dedication and consecration ceremonies.

The Knights of Columbus carrying the historic "Cruz de Tunasán" towards the entrance of the church in time for the solemn dedication and consecration.

Installing the Cross of Tunasán to its new spot inside the church: at the north transept. The new retablo to the right is still veiled.

Most Rev. Buenaventura Famadico, D.D., the new bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo, blesses the faithful with holy water (Krystal and Yeyette at foreground). The renovated retablo has been unveiled. The Holy Mass for the solemn dedication and consecration begins.

Priests from other parishes within San Pedro Tunasán.

The guest choir with a wind band at the north transept. Notice the Cross of Tunasán is already hanging on the wall.

The church is jampacked with faithful San Pedrenses. Seated in front are some of the municipal officials, including Mayor Lourdes "Baby" Catáquiz.

Behold the brightness of our new retablo!

But what is this ceremony really all about? What exactly does a church dedication and consecration mean?

By a decree of the Council of Trent (Sess. XXII), Mass should not be celebrated in any place except a consecrated or blessed church. Hence it is the wish of the Church that at least cathedrals and parish churches be solemnly consecrated, and that smaller churches be blessed (Cong. Sac. Rit., 7 Aug., 1875), but any church and public or semi-public oratory may be consecrated (Cong. Sac. Rit., 5 June, 1899). Both by consecration and by blessing a church is dedicated to Divine worship, which forbids its use for common or profane purposes. Consecration is a rite reserved to a bishop, who by the solemn anointing with holy chrism, and in the prescribed form, dedicates a building to the service of God, thereby raising it in perpetuum to a higher order, removing it from the malign influence of Satan, and rendering it a place in which favours are more graciously granted by God (Pontificale Romanum). The blessing of a church is a less solemn rite, which may be performed by a priest delegated by the diocesan bishop. It consists in the sprinkling with holy water and the recital of prayers, thus making it a sacred place, though not necessarily in perpetuum. Consecration differs from mere blessing in this, that it imprints an indelible mark (St. Thomas, II-II:34:3) on the building by reason of which it may never be transferred to common or profane uses (CLICK HERE for more info).

Speaking of church consecrations, just last Sunday, me and Yeyette attended the baptism of our friends' daughter in the nearby Church of Santo Rosario in Pacita Complex 1. I had to mention it because that church, although fairly new (it was erected only in 1983), it already has its share of historico-religous value, having the distinction of being the first church in the entire Diocese of San Pablo to be dedicated and consecrated. This happened in 1986. ¡At natalo pa ang mg̃a sinaúnang iglesia sa La Laguna! =)

Iglesia de Santo Rosario.

CLICK HERE for more photos of the event and the church!

FOUNDATION

According to local history, our parish was founded in 1763. Before that, in 1725, San Pedro Tunasán —the old name of San Pedro (which we still prefer to use)— was founded as an independent town separate from its matrix, Tabuco (now the city of Cabuyao). All this can be found in an old book entitled KASAYSAYAN NG BAYANG SAN PEDRO TUNASÁN (1574-1961) (Manila: Liberty Press Co., Inc., 1963). Written by the late Anastacio Olivares, a native San Pedrense, it is now out of print and very rare. Unfortunately, Olivares did not cite his sources. He just wrote in the introduction that most of the information he had gathered were from old documents, many of which were in terrible condition due to age, as well as interviews from the older generation of San Pedrenses (NOTE: San Pedrenses of today erroneously refer to themselves as San Pedronians).

The old façade of our church. This was probably taken during the U.S. colonization of our country.

A view of our church from Calle Luna. To the right is the town plaza.

Many San Pedrenses today (including those from the municipal government and parish authorities) agree that 1763 was the year when the parish was founded. The year is even decoratively inscribed in one of the posts at the entrance of the church gates:

Because of this, our local parish is celebrating its 250th year. And so they coincided the dedication and consecration ceremony to its 250th anniversary. However, I found out a few days ago that this is incorrect. But I will write about this in my other blog (which I now fondly call as "one of the most hated blogs in the Philippines", LOL!).

Be that as it may, I let that issue slip from my mind at the moment since the solemn dedication and consecration of our beloved parish church should have nothing to do with erroneous dates.

¡Viva la iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol!

With Saint Peter and one of his gamecocks inside the Parish Hall (just beside the church) where an exhibit on our parish's history is currently ongoing. But this is only up to December 8, on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. So hurry and visit us soon! Click here for the schedule!

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

TRIVIA! The San Pedro Apóstol Church is the home of the historic and miraculous "Cruz de Tunasán" (Cross of Tunasán) which was mentioned in satiric fashion by national hero José Rizal in his novel Noli Me Tangere. CLICK HERE for more info!

#SPAPJourneyInFaith