Rosellyn Magsaysay and Marian devotion to Inapoon Bato

IN RESPONSE to Pope Francis’ call to action for the environment in his encyclical “Laudato Si,” Fr. Tony Rosales, O.F.M., former parish priest of Forbes Park, will launch his ninth book, “Mother Earth (Allegories, Reflections and Celebrations),” on Oct. 4, feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, at Christ the King College, Calbayog City, Samar.

With a foreword by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the book reflects on local ecology issues, with possibilities for interaction in a school or parish setting, as aid to reflection and action.

The book will be available in Cebu (San Vicente Ferrer Parish, St. Paul’s at SM City); Makati (St. Alphonsus Parish, Magallanes Village; Don Bosco and Goodwill); Davao City (Carmelite Monastery) and Catholic Book Center outlets in Metro Manila.

Now based in Cebu, Father Rosales is a visiting lecturer on moral theology at the St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute in Davao City.

Donations for the book will go to environment-related advocacies. For orders or consignment, e-mail dawnisacd@yahoo.com or text 0906-4899196.

Marian icon of Zambales

Sonia L. Atabug of Philippine Women’s University writes in memoriam of Rosellyn Magsaysay and her devotion to Inapoon Bato:

“Rosellyn Magsaysay who promoted the devotion to Inapoon Bato here and overseas for over 30 years passed away four months earlier than Josie Darang who joined her Creator in December last year.

“The downpour that hit Metro Manila last Aug. 9 did not stop friends, relatives and Ina devotees, including the author, to observe the first death anniversary of Rosellyn at the Magsaysay Museum in Castillejos, Zambales.

“A big delegation came from Ina Pasig chapter headed by Perla Damian and Purisima Barbosa, as well as the group of Nena Prieto, former higher education commissioner Nona Ricaport, Justice Aurora Recina, Norma Lazaro and Bing Pimentel, who all have life-changing experiences they attributed to the intercession of Inapoon Bato.

“The rain stopped when we reached the town of Castillejos where the mass was celebrated by Msgr. Chris Cacho. Dinner at the Magsaysay White House followed.

“On hand to welcome guests were Rosellyn’s husband, former governor Vic Magsaysay and children JV, former congresswoman Mitos Magsaysay, Lourdes Crisostomo and Angel Cheng.

“Living on ‘borrowed time for eight years,’ as her family described it, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Rosellyn never complained nor looked like she was sick. She was always at her best, walking straight with well-coiffed hairdo, slightly made up, with red lipstick.

“Until her death last year, Mrs. Magsaysay had visited and brought the Lady nearly in all the dioceses in the country and to the US, Europe and Asia.” (More on Inapoon Bato later.)