By: Alvin Laserna Jr.
Last October 11, 2022, the Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary held a procession in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar whose feast day would be held a day after.
The procession started at 6:30 in the evening attended by the seminarians, priests, and the different lay organizations of the seminary especially the members of the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar.
Rain or Storm
About an hour prior to the activity, the seminarians had their music practice. During the said practice, an announcement was made by the Rev. Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, the seminary rector.
The announcement, first, contained the reasons and the values that one can get from procession.
This was followed by the announcement that the procession to be had must pursue despite the weather.
Fortunately, however, by the time the procession had started, the weather has been fine.
Bro. Kenneth Quitaleg, a fourth-year college seminarian said, “It is such a blessing because after two years, the procession in honor of Our Lady happened once again. The change in the weather seems to show that it is God Himself who made a way for this wonderful faith-experience to be re-lived.”
A Blessing for the Neighborhood
According to Mrs. Nellie Cabutotan, a member of the Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and an aspiring Secular Augustinian Recollect Tertiary, it was an opportunity for Christians to show their faith through the intercession of Mama Mary.
Experiencing a procession for the first time, she said, “I had goosebumps by the time we went out of the chapel because I really prayed that the rain will not fall for the rosary to pursue and for us to finish it. While walking and having rosary, I think I have felt the Holy Spirit.”
Ms. Cabutotan further added, “Praying and walking at the same time, my devotion seems to be more developed, and I think that the event enabled me to observe the characteristics of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, specifically, being contemplative and communitarian, as an aspiring SARF.”
The procession was done from the seminary passing through a portion of the roads of Brgy. San Luis, Brgy. San Roque, and Naguilian Road.
