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I t is not uncommon to the Catholic faithful in Asia and Africa the significant growth of Catholic believers so much so that continuous building of Churches and shrines are on-going facts in the missions of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. Churches are in the process of being built in our missions in Brazil, in Nigeria, in Benin and in the Philippines. Churches are tangible monuments of faith which depict through stone and mortar the strong and undying faith of the peoples. We will launch a series of articles of the different "Shrines in the Making" taking place in the different missions of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. In this present article we present the history of the building of the Marian Shrine of Mary Coredemptrix in Cebu City, Philippines. The long journey of its construction amidst limited material resources of the friars came to conclusion on the occasion of its solemn consecration on Novemeber 18, 2007 by his Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.D.D. Here is the story of the shrine.
Seven years ago, in the year 2000, our Institute, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, searched for a place in the island of Cebu where we could build a Church that will be dedicated to Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. It would also be our first Church in Cebu after having been in the Archdiocese of Cebu since the beginning of 1992. Finally, after a tedious search, Fr. Bonaventure Mary Valles, FI, who was then the General Delegate of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate was able to find a place at Brgy. San Jose, Talamban, Cebu City. The process of acquiring the land was then begun. It was quite difficult because it was composed of different lots belonging to different owners. Some were donated and some were bought.
Consequently, the earth moving started since the land was too steep and had to be flattened. At this time, a deep well was dug near the edge of the property and put into operation. Providentially the water that came out was quite clear and even potable, thanks to the Immaculate.
During the end of 2000 other important priorities came to our attention and we had to divert our efforts and funding from Talamban to the construction of a Church in Naga City, Bicol Region. It was the first Church in the Philippines dedicated to Mary Coredemptrix. The construction took almost two years to finish. Soon after another project had to be started at Gabok, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon where a large piece of land was donated to us. It took almost three years for the Church, dedicated to Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and convent for our novices, to be completed.
After all these projects we turned our attention to Talamban and constructed a temporary low-cost conference hall at the center of the land. The hall was used for the monthy gatherings of the MIM (Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix) members and also for giving recollections for our third order members. At this juncture, Fr. Bernardine Mary Pedroso, who was then the General Delegate of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, asked the help of some of our benefactors and friends to help us with the architectural and structural planning of the Church in Talamban. Funds were raised through begging and raffle draws, one during the time of Fr. Bonaventure Mary and one during Fr. Bernardine Mary’s time. We were able to collect quite an amount but not enough for the construction. About the year 2005, our Major Superiors in Italy told us to change the name of the Church to be built. It should be dedicated instead to Mary Coredemptrix, like the one we have in Naga City.
On January, 2006, our Father General, Rev. Fr. Stefano Mary Manelli and our Assistant General, Rev. Fr. Berard Mary Mosso, visited our communities here in the Phlippines. Fr. Stefano took time to visit the site in Talamban where he blessed the area followed by a short inspirational talk delivered by Fr. Berard Mary Fr. Sefano Mary looked carefully at the tentative architectural plan of the future Church and suggested that the plan be changed since it was too massive and therefore too expensive. Fr. Stefano wanted to pattern the new Church after that of Naga City with some modifications such as a wider and longer structure to be able to accommodate more people. Fr. Stefano Mary decided to have to new Church plan prepared by our long time friend in Manila, namely Engr. Jose Soriano Jr.
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On June, 2006 our Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Gabriele Mary Pellietieri, accompanied by our Procurator, Rev. Fr. Maximilian Mary Zangeratti, came to the Philippines. Fr. Gabriele Mary was able to talk with Engr. Soriano to finalize the plans. Finally on August 2, 2006, in the presence of Fr. Gabriele Mary the corner stone of the new Church was laid. Soon after, on August 22 the ground breaking began and the construction commenced in full swing. Funds for the construction came from Italy and the Philippines, all given as donations from generous souls. Mrs. Mercy Tuason, helped us a lot for this project through her generosity and has never stopped helping us since 1992 when we constructed our first convent in Brgy. Tolo-Tolo, Consolacion, Cebu.The Friars, Sisters, Tertiaries, MIM members and YFI (Youth Franciscans of the Immaculate) all cooperated wonderfully to the realization of this awesome project of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. As the months passed by, the Church began to take shape. One of our big concerns was the design of the main altar or sanctuary and tabernacle. We decided to design it ourselves. Providentially, we have a sculptor friar, Fra. Michael Angelo Mary and a painter friar, Fra. John Michael Mary They worked together to make the beautiful design of the altar, especially the statue of Jesus Christ and Mary as Coredemptrix which was placed on top of the main altar in sanctuary. The beautiful golden tabernacle came all the way from India. It was donated by one of our benefactors, Mrs. Susan Khambata, living in India. The thick one-piece marble slab was shipped all the way from Romblon.
About two months before the blessing, the workers of supervised by Engr. Soriano and Engr. Roy did overtime to be able to have the Church ready by November. Indeed, it was a miracle that the Church was completed in time for the blessing, considering that there is also the big function hall underneath the Church plus the parking lot. Indeed, Our Blessed Mother never abandons her children. Finally on November 18, 2007 at exactly 3:30 in the afternoon, the new Church dedicated to Mary Coredemtprix was solemnly blessed and consecrated. More than a thousand people came for the wonderful event.
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