MANILA, June 17, 2013— Far from his archdiocese in Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle yesterday took possession of his “titular church” in Rome that will look to him as its cardinal patron.
The actual ceremony took place on Saturday at 6:30pm (12:30am Sunday in Manila) at a concelebrated Mass in the church hosted by the local parish priest.
Hundreds of parishioners welcomed the cardinal to the San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle at Piazza San Felice da Cantalice (Church of Saint Felix of Cantalice at Centocelle).
Fr. Reginald Malicdem, the cardinal’s private secretary, said the ceremony followed that of a canonical possession.
Tagle was received by the parish priest to the church for the traditional kissing of the cross and was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist.
A number of Filipino priests, nuns and lay people staying in Rome also attended the liturgical celebration.
The church is referred to as a Centocelle (at Centocelle), derived from the Roman cavalry and their barracks consisting of a hundred lodging rooms dating back to the Roman Empire. It is currently administered by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin since 1928.
In Catholic tradition, each cardinal is given a “titular see” in Rome that serves as a highly symbolic link to the Pope. (CBCPNews)
