Today, the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod, along D. Jakosalem Street, celebrates its 27th Annual Fiesta with the theme: “San Pedro Calungsod: Our Companion on the Journey towards a Docile and Listening Church.”
Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presided over the 4:00 PM Fiesta Mass at the Shrine. Together with him were Fr. Alden John Baran (Calungsod Shrine Rector), the Shrine priest-administrators, and visiting priests.
Reflecting on the message of the Gospel where Jesus urged the faithful to take up their crosses daily, Archbishop Abet reflected on the life of St. Pedro Calungsod, who responded to God’s call with docility and fidelity, especially in bringing the Gospel to foreign lands.
The good Archbishop stressed the need for a deeper openness to listen to God and to one another—in a world marked by noise and division.
“It’s becoming very difficult for us to listen to one another and, more so, to God. If we don’t listen to God, it is not possible for us to understand—and if we don’t listen to one another, there is no way for us to care,” he said.
He encouraged the faithful to be inspired by the example of San Pedro Calungsod, who never left his cross, especially in difficult moments.
“San Pedro Calungsod carried his cross. But never alone. Uban niya kanunay pagpas-an ang Ginoo. And that is also the invitation for each one of us: We have to inspire each other, do not carry your cross alone. Carry your cross with the Lord,” he exhorted.