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Canossa College hosts “Priests Day” to honor priests, religious in Laguna

SAN PABLO CITY, August 26, 2009—The nuns, administration, faculty and students of the Canossa College of San Pablo hosted their own version of “Priests Day” to give special honor to priests, religious, deacon of the Diocese of San Pablo on Tuesday.

Led by His Excellency Leo M. Drona, SDB, DD, the Bishop of San Pablo Diocese, the clergy and religious were treated to various activities like the Concelebrated Mass presided by the bishop with priests as concelebrants, dance presentations, video singing, refreshments, games and gift giving which culminated into a Grand Luncheon Meal which made them feel special and important.

All entertainment presentations, activities were mostly prepared by the nuns, students and faculty who came in full force to give reverence to the invited priests, religious together with Don Bosco Bishop Drona.

The program of activities showed that this occasion (Priests Day), held August 25 is part of the school’s yearly offering for priests and their participation of the Pope’s (Benedict XVI) declaration of the Jubilee Year for Priests (June 2009-June 2010) in which the general theme is: “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests.”

There were about 30 priests and religious and one deacon who joined the gathering which started at about 8:00 am and ended after lunchtime.

An invitation program sent to priests and religious signed by Canossa Sisters Gina G. Mendoza (GS Religion Coordinator) and Fely A. Arellano (School Directress) stated:  “Let us celebrate this Jubilee Year for the Priests! You have given yourself to God and served Him faithfully through the flock that has been entrusted to your care. You have shared with us your time and energy through confession, mass, counseling and encounters. You have been part of our spiritual life. “With gratitude and love in our hearts for all your services and sacrifices, we the Canossa Educative Community of San Pablo wish to recognize your presence in the celebration of Priests’ Day in Canossa on August 25….”

The nuns prepared their own “prayer for priests” for the occasion:   “Dear Lord, we pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.  We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn. 2:5).  May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen.”