Years ago, I walked the streets of Alcala de Henares, a fascinating city 25 minutes by train from Madrid (read blog here). It was only when I was planning for that trip that I learned that Saint Didacus, or San Diego de Alcala, the patron saint of pro-cathedral of Silay City, Philippines, died in that Spanish city. Since then, every time I was inside the church named after San Diego, I always remembered the day when I walked the streets of Alcala de Henares where he is now buried.
Early this year, I was in Silay City with my friend Binky because we wanted to enjoy the native delicacies of the city at El Ideal Restaurant (read blog here). Luckily, we were at the right time and the right place as the first-class relic of San Diego de Alcala was being brought to rest permanently at his cathedral in Silay City.
Our tummies filled with Silaynon delights, we stood by the main street to help welcome his relic alongside the religious organizations and parishioners of Silay City.
A lady from one organization shared with us a pamphlet about the relic that includes a prayer below.
The relic is now permanently placed in a veneration room at the right side of the cathedral when you are facing the altar. You can visit the relic during the day when there is no mass being celebrated.
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What is a relic?
Relics include the physical remains of a saint (or of a person who is considered holy but not yet officially canonized) as well as other objects which have been "sanctified" by being touched to his or her body.
Why do we venerate relics?
1. To express gratitude to God
2. They are a channel and instrument of God's grace
3. We recall the saint's holy life and pray for the grade to achieve what they achieved, i.e., eternity with God in Heaven.
What are the classes of relics?
First class: The highest form of relic that refers to a piece of the body of the saint such as bones, hair, blood, and flesh.
Second class: These relics are items that belonged to or were used by the saint, such as clothing, books and rosaries, or an instrument used in the torture or death of a martyr.
Third class: These are items such as a rosary, piece of cloth, or prayer card that has been touched to a first or second class relic.
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PANGAMUYO (PRAYER)
O DIOS NGA LABING GAMHANAN,
NAGAPAKILUOY KAMI SING MAPAINUBOSON
NGA PAAGI SA MGA PAG-AMPO NI
SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA. AMON
MAPANGABUHI ANG IMO PAGSULUNDAN.
GUINAPANGAYO NAMON INI SA IMO,
PAAGI KAY KRISTO NGA AMON GINOO. AMEN.
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ORACION
O GINOO, IMO GUINHATAGAN SANG KUSOG
KAG KABAKOD ANG MGA MALUYA,
ITUGOT NGA MAPANGABUHI SANG IMO
TUMULUO ANG MGA BIRTUDES NI
SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA, SA ATON
PAGPANGKALATON PADULONG SA
KABUHI NGA WALAY KATAPUSAN.
GUINAPANGAYO NAMON INI SA IMO,
PAAGI SA KAY KRISTO NGA AMON GINOO. AMEN.
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#sandiegodealcala #saintdidacus #silaycity #silay #philippines #catholic #cathedral
