As part of the spiritual preparations for the 199th parish fiesta of St. James the Apostle Parish in Badian, outgoing Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma presided over the Mass for the second day of the novena.
Concelebrating with him were Fr. Randy Nebria, the parish administrator, and Fr. Dean Mangubat, the parochial vicar.
Reflecting on the life of St. James the Apostle — who expressed his profound love for God through martyrdom — the good Archbishop emphasized in his homily that while not everyone is called to be martyrs, each of us is called to bear witness to God’s love.
This witness, he noted, can be lived out through our various professions and vocations, when offered in love and service to the community.
“Kon unsa man ang kabubut-on sa Diyos labi na sa pagsaksi sa ebanghelyo, willing kaayo si Santiago. Gihalad ni Jesus ang iyang kinabuhi alang nato maong sila andam usab mohalad sa ilang kaugalingon. Sa panaw sa atong kinabuhi, lain-laing profession, lain-laing tahas, kon unsay kabubot-on sa Diyos, maoy atong buhaton,” he exhorted.
The parish will celebrate its fiesta on July 25, 2025. Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda (Vicar General) will preside over the 10:00 AM Fiesta Mass.