Lourdes Parish to mark 60th year on Feb. 11

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (Lourdes Parish) in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City will celebrate its 60th anniversary as a parish on Feb. 11, 2017.

Fr. Randolph Figuracion, the parish priest, said that a day before the fiesta day, there will be a 5 p.m. mass, which will be followed by a candlelight procession.

Figuracion said that in appearing to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, Portugal, Mother Mary asked for a candlelight procession and the praying of the Rosary.

“We would like to invite all people to participate,” Figuracion said during the 888 News Forum held recently.

The Lourdes Shrine has an estimated 40,000 parishioners.

Figuracion said that a healing mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Fred Kriekenbeeek will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 11.

“This mass for the sick is being held every 11th day of the month and this will be special this coming Feb. 11,” said Figuracion.

At 4 p.m., Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will celebrate a pontifical mass, which will open the 60th anniversary celebrations of the shrine and the opening of the Year of Grace.

Palma declared the Lourdes Shrine as a place of pilgrimage under the Year of Grace from Feb. 11, 2017 to Feb. 4, 2018.

Palma said that within this period, a “plenary indulgence” will be granted to every Catholic person who will take part in the liturgical celebrations and other jubilee activities at the parish, or to every Catholic person who will visit the parish.

A plenary indulgence will be granted by praying the Holy Father, the Apostle’s Creed, one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be, with a confession and receiving the communion.

For more information about the Lourdes Parish’s 60th anniversary celebrations, one may call (032) 261-5393.