CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The 69th anniversary of the canonical coronation of the Virgen de los Remedios, patroness of Pampanga, on Sept. 8, assumed greater significance, in the historical sense, with an official recognition of its founding proponent.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the historical marker, “Obispo Cesar Ma. Guerrero” on Monday morning at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary here, some four hours before the coronation commemoration rites at the Capitol.
NHCP chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr. turned over the marker to San Fernando Archbishop Florentino S. Lavarias, D.D., after celebration of a thanksgiving Mass.
Former beauty queen and tourism secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta gave a message on behalf of the Guerrero family.
Installed as the first bishop of the then Diocese of San Fernando (Pampanga) on Sept. 8, 1949, Bishop Guerrero established the Mater Boni Consilii Seminary in Guagua town in 1950, which later relocated to Apalit, and finally in San Fernando as the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary.
In 1952, amid the social unrest in Pampanga, Bishop Guerrero Cruzada de Caridad y Penitencia (Crusade of Penance and Charity) promoting devotion to the Virgen de los Remedios and countering the spread of socialism. Four years after, on Sept. 8, 1956, Pope Pius XII bestowed the canonical crown to the revered image who has since been declared as the patroness of Pampanga.
Also in 1956, Bishop Guerrero brought the Discalced Carmelite sisters to establish a foundation in Angeles.
The bishop resigned in 1957 and was honored by the Vatican as an assistant to the papal throne, holding the rank of papal count. He died on March 27, 1961. His tomb is beside the Carmel of the Infant of Jesus of Prague chapel at the Carmelit Monastery in Angeles City.
During the installation of the bishop’s historical marker, a book on the history of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary written by former NHCP commissioner Dr. Lino Dizon, himself an alumnus of the seminary, was also launched.
Punto News Team/Photos: NHCP
