ROME, Italy, Oct. 20, 2012—The last Triduum mass before the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod drew the biggest crowd so far, with an estimated 2,500 people packing the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore this morning.
Around 2,500 attended the mass today, according to an estimate by Joseph Cariaga, member of the security team organized by the Filipino community in Rome who looked after the venue during the mass.
A similar estimate of around 2,500 was also made by Fra. Masseo of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, who assisted at the last Triduum mass today.
The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate have been in charge of assisting in the liturgical services at the St. Mary Major since 1999.
Since the start of the Triduum masses last October 18, pilgrims have begun flying in from all over the world, continuing to fill the churches for the masses, beginning with the Basilica ‘Sant Agostino and the Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all’Argentina, popularly known as the Church of the Gesù. But the biggest number of people were present today, leaving a lot of people standing throughout the mass.
In an interview, Belen Cabating, a pilgrim from Cebu and a member of the lay community Couples for Christ, said she saw the support of the Filipino communities all over the world with the big attendance today.
Cabating, who came with her husband, said she was really happy and saw the unity of Filipino Catholics through events like these.
The last Triduum mass concludes the pre-canonization celebration before the canonization of Bl. Pedro Calungsod tomorrow at 10 a.m., Rome time at St. Peter’s Square. [Nirv’ana Ella Delacruz]
