Iloilo city: Redemptorist Priests will lead the "Rain/Reign" Oak Jubilee Concert at the St. Clements Parish Ground in La Paz district on Wednesday evening, as a way of expressing gratitude, offering petitions, and marking the culmination of the 80th celebration of the novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the Philippines and Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Provincial Superior Very Rev. Fr. Bert Cepe emphasized the significance of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, which is the most popular novena across the Philippines. He noted its particular importance to the Ilonggos, as the devotion began there every Wednesday. The first Novena was initiated on May 13, 1946, by Irish Redemptorist Priests encouraged by United States soldiers, beginning with fewer than 100 devotees. The devotion then spread to Cebu and other places in the Visayas, to Lipa in 1947, and Baclaran in 1948. Today, the novena is held in the majority of parishes across the Philippines, not just in Redemptorist churches.
Rev. Fr. Eric Sevencruz explained the concept of the 'rain/reign concert,' which aligns with the hot month of May. The concert acts as a prayerful appeal for rain, especially for farmers, while also symbolically asking for the Lord's reign in hearts and lives. The event will feature songs that pay tribute to mothers, as May is Mother's Month, resonating with themes of gratitude and prayer for specific graces.
The event serves as an expression of gratitude to the Ilonggos for their unwavering support and for playing a crucial role in propagating the devotion. Fr. Cepe highlighted Iloilo's designation as the City of Love, linking it to the birth of the novena, reflecting how faith begins with love.
The free Oak Jubilee concert will feature Ilonggo singer Jed Madela with special performances from VIVAT and community priests. Rev. Fr. Gibo Dandoy mentioned that the celebration will begin with a Thanksgiving mass at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at around 8 p.m. For safety and security, coordination has been established with the Iloilo city government, including closing one lane in front of St. Clements Parish to vehicular traffic.
Additionally, the event aims to generate funds through sponsorship for the rehabilitation of the Carillon Tower, which houses 13 bells. Once rehabilitated, the tower is expected to become a destination for religious pilgrimage. The bells, known as the Bells of St. Clements, are played manually, unlike the electronically produced music in other churches. Fr. Ramon Fruto, in his article 'The 13 Bells of St. Clement's,' highlighted that these bells were ordered from Gillett and Johnston of Croydon, England, a company known for creating significant carillons and bells.
The Oak Jubilee celebration will conclude next month with an international novena at the Iloilo Convention Center from June 24-26. This event will attract devotees worldwide, featuring the Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines celebrating the mass.
