MANILA, Aug. 16, 2016 – Twelve years after his death, a priest who contributed significant scholarly work about his second home, Samar, was remembered with Holy Masses yesterday, Aug. 15, to mark his passing 12 years ago.
Admirers and friends in Leyte, Manila, and even Rome, Italy had Masses said for Fr. Cantius Kobak, OFM, who succumbed to cancer.
Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM had a Mass said at Santi Quaranta e Paschal Baylon, Rome at 7:30 a.m.
Br. Ariel C. Manga, OFM and the Christ the King College (CKC) community had an institutional Mass held at Christ the King College, Calbayog City, Samar. 9 a.m., Aug. 15.
Harold L. Mercurio also sponsored a Eucharistic celebration at the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Baybay City, Leyte, at 6 a.m.
Charo Cabardo sponsored a Mass at the Diocesan Marian Shrine of the Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church, at 5 p.m. also on the same day.
At least two Masses for Kobak were sponsored by lay Samareños: at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Calbayog City, Samar, at 6 p.m., sponsored by Merla Abarquez Rosalado and at the St. Bartholomew Church, Catbalogan City, Samar, at 6 p.m., sponsored by Joh Nil Sy Bajado.
Kobak, who was assigned at CKC in Calbayog, Samar, was also prayed for at a 6 p.m. Mass at Kristong Hari Parish, Commonwealth Ave, Quezon City, also on Aug. 15.
Born Zdzislaw (Jesse) Kobak in Poland on June 29, 1930, he migrated in 1937 to the U.S., where he finished his studies. In 1939, he became a Franciscan and was ordained priest in 1957.
Enthralled by newsletters coming from friars in the Philippine missions, Kobak had one desire by the time of his ordination: to serve the poor in Samar Island. He became a teacher at CKC and Guardian of the Franciscan community in Calbayog upon his arrival in Calbayog in 1959.
He was the foremost researcher about the Sumuroy Revolt of Palapag, Samar from 1649 to 1650 and would contribute greatly to the historical wealth of Samar. (Carl Jamie Simple S. Bordeos / CBCP News)
