Saint Lorenzo Ruiz statue finds ‘home’ at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York

By Patrick V. Miguel

Our Lady of Antipolo image enshrined at Limasawa shrine

AREPLICA statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, or Our Lady of Antipolo, made its way to the site of the first recorded Easter Mass in the Philippines.

“In 1987 we were given a first Filipino Saint so it’s something that Filipinos would be rejoicing in and be proud of,” said Fr. Erno Bolibar Diaz, a retired priest from the Archdiocese of New York.

Diaz is known for his dedication to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, authoring his accounts on the life of the saint and its significance to the Catholic faith in his book “On the road with San Lorenzo,” published by UST Publishing House in 2005.

Diaz wrote in the book: “I knew deep in my being that it would be just a matter of time and San Lorenzo Ruiz would have a church for ‘home.’”

And just like that, the Filipino priest’s prayers came true.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is set to mark another “first” in history— his permanent enshrinement at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Finding a home

IN an interview, Diaz attributed significant gratitude to two people: Cardinal Jaime Sin and the late Filipino businessman Antonio L. Cabangon-Chua.

“It is Antonio Cabangon-Chua, the [former] ambassador, who really thought of donating the statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz,” Diaz said.

“Understand that the ambassador has a very strong devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz,” he added.

Then, the ambassador gave the statue to Cardinal Sin, who later on had it sent to the United States.

Cabangon-Chua was the founder of ALC Group of Companies that includes the BusinessMirror

The history of finding home for Saint Lorenzo Ruiz’s statue was detailed in Diaz’s book.

In Chapter 14, the priest recounted driving around New York to personally search a home for the three-foot bronze statue.

Retelling the experience, he wrote, “Then, there were moments when I was confronted with the realization that I could be stranded on the way or experience a car breakdown.”

Eventually, he countered, “But through it all, I knew that the Lord, through San Lorenzo, would guide me and protect me in every step.”

As of this writing, the statue is temporarily at the Church of the Epiphany in New York.

‘It’s about time!’

“YOU cannot just display any statue at [St. Patrick’s] Cathedral unless it meets [its] artistic standard,” Diaz shared.

Nonetheless, they earned the courage to take a picture of the statue and sent it to the cathedral, with the hopes that the statue would now find its home.

According to Diaz, a priest from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral said, “That’s perfect!” upon seeing the statue.

And that was the moment when, after all those years of hard work and faith, the statue of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz would have a permanent home.

“I think it’s a place of honor for us, Filipinos, and for us, Catholics,” Diaz reflected. “That statue was selected by the cathedral because they thought it was perfect for [it].”

On October 25, a “big Mass” will be held at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with about 300 Filipino priests to commemorate the permanent enthronement of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

With nothing but excitement, Diaz told the BusinessMirror :

“It’s about time!” He added partly in Flipino, “It’s about time that Filipino Catholics be recognized in America.”

“I’m very very excited! It’s not easy to have a statue enthroned there [US]. But the fact that it [Saint Lorenzo Ruiz’s statue] will be enthroned there is really going to be very exciting,” he pointed out.

The image was first welcomed by Bishop Prescioso Cantillas at the Maasin Cathedral on August 6 before it was brought and enthroned at the Magallanes Shrine in Limasawa Island on August 8.

The enthronement took place during Mass presided over by Fr. Reynante Tolentino, rector of the Antipolo Cathedral, or the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

“Since this image of the Blessed Virgin also came to our country, she has strengthened our faith, hope and love,” said Fr. Francis Edward Baasis of the Antipolo Diocesan Commission on Social Communications in his homily.

“And now that she is already here also reminds us to imitate her in serving her Son and the Church in our country,” he said. After reading the certificate of donation, the shrine’s parish priest, Fr. Reynaldo Alonzo Jr., explained the relevance of the Virgin’s image on the island. Oftentimes, according to him, they have to cross to the mainland even amid big waves.

“The image and presence of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is very relevant to us because it reminds us that our Mother, the Blessed Mary, is our guide, always our guide for a safe trip toward the mainland,” Alonzo said.

In November 2022, a replica of Antipolo’s patroness was enshrined at the Church of the Assumption in Connecticut’s Westport community.

In October 2021, another replica was also enthroned at the Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore in Milan, Italy.

Joseph Ryan Moscoso/CBCP News

Faithful warned vs churches imitating Catholic practices

THE Archdiocese of Manila warned the faithful against participating in the services of certain churches that are “not in full communion” with the Catholic Church.

“The sacraments that they administer are therefore invalid and illicit,” the archdiocese said in Circular 2023–64 signed by Chancellor Fr. Isidro Marinay, issued on August 16.

The circular specifically referred to the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church and other groups such as the Old Roman Catholic Church.

The circular said that the practices and vestments of these churches are identical with those of the Catholic Church, potentially misleading the faithful.

“Because of some misleading information and the practices, vestments, and other activities apparently identical to the Roman Catholic Church, some members of our faithful have participated in their services and their ministers have been invited to chapels and gatherings,” the circular said.

The archdiocese called on the clergy to convey the warning to their parishioners regarding the mentioned groups.

“We request our priests to inform our faithful for proper guidance regarding the matter,” it added. CBCP News and PNA