Huge demand for visa from Philippines for Calungsod canonization

(September 03, 2012) There is a huge demand for visas from Filipinos for Italy for next month’s canonization ceremony in Rome in which a 17^th century Filipino teenage catechist and martyr will be among seven men and women from around the world who will be declared new saints. At least 3,000 people have asked for an endorsement from Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu to get a visa to Italy to attend the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21, Mission Sunday. Archbishop Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said he has signed so many endorsements, the Italian embassy in Manila has complained to him. Blessed Calungsod’s exact place of origin is unknown, but he is identified only as Bisaya, which refers to a native of Borneo. The Archbishop of Cebu said the Filipino faithful who cannot get to Rome can attend a national celebration in Cebu on November 30. “That day, as a nation, we will thank the Lord for this new saint,” Archbishop Palma said. Blessed Calungsod was born in 1654. He was doing missionary work in Guam in 1672 when he was martyred. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Among the 7 new saints on Oct. 21 is also Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a 17^th century native American woman, born New York, United States, who died in Quebec, Canada.