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Carmel of Laoag celebrates Marian feast for priests

LAOAG CITY, July 17, 2009—“Mary and the Priests of the 21st century.” This was the celebration theme for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount that was set by the Discalced Carmelites of Laoag for this year.

In connection with the proclamation of Pope Benedict XVI to observe this holy Year for Priests, starting June 19, 2009 until June 19, 2010, the Carmelite family of Laoag offered its celebration for the sake of the priests, especially of the Diocese of Laoag.

The novena Masses for the feast centered on different themes explaining the life of the priest likened to Mary.

Being the main celebrant and preacher for the concelebrated Mass, Laoag Bishop Sergio L. Utleg gave his heartfelt gratitude to the Carmelite nuns for giving importance to this year’s celebration and also for the priests themselves.

In his homily, he explained the importance of the priest in the Christian community citing the incompleteness of a community without the priest. He cited the work of the priest that cannot be done by the laity and/or the not ordained ministers alone, that is the Eucharistic Celebration and the sacramental absolution of sins, which gives the incompleteness if there are no priests.

Meanwhile, in the presence of the Discalced Carmelite family of Laoag, composed of the nuns and the secular order, with the Our Lady of Mount Carmel devotees, the Bishop gladly informed the people of the preparation being started by the Diocese for its golden jubilee on 2011.

The Diocese of Laoag was created on June 5, 1961 from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and was canonically erected on June 26 of the same year.

“We, with my brother priests, just came from our seminar-workshop to prepare for the golden jubilee of our diocese…We are hoping that our celebration will be a celebration not only of Catholics but also of the every baptized Christian in our Diocese,” expressed by the Bishop.

He cited to the people their observation that almost ninety percent of the activities are headed by religious

sisters or lay leaders making him think that priests are left there just for the Eucharistic celebration.

In connection to this, the Bishop explained their role in the life of the people. Although some would be better on the activities the priest would still be there also for the people praying and offering the Mass for their intentions.

The Carmel of Laoag, known as the Carmel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was founded on October 7, 1949 by then Manila Archbishop Michael J. O’Doherty.

The Carmelite monastery is one of the two contemplative monasteries in the Diocese of Laoag, the other being the Monastery of the Capuchinas Clarisas Sacramentarias, the living presence of the Capuchins who served also the diocese for a time. 

(Mark Vertido)