Pastoral Visit to the Manila Cathedral

Pastoral Visit to the Manila Cathedral
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Intramuros, Manila
Rector: Msgr. Nestor Cerbo
Resident Priests: Fr. Cesar Buhat
Fr. Julius Frondosa
Made by: Bishop Broderick Pabillo
March 13-15, 2009

I arived at the Basilica around 5 in the afternoon. I was met by the priests and the staffs and there was a simple liturgical reception at the entrance and at the altar. This was followed by a tour around the exhibit in the side chapels conducted by Msgr. Cerbo. Then we had merienda together with the staff. Msgr. Cerbo then showed me around the building of the Basilica, even up to the belfry. All along he pointed out the needs for repair and maintenance of the structures of the building. At 6:30 pm I joined a session of the monthly meeting of Volunteers’ Council. Eleven persons were there. During the meeting I had occasion to explain about the canonical pastoral visit and to get know more the situation of the basilica. I also suggested certain challenges to the council for more relevant pastoral approaches. The meeting was concluded by supper together with the rector. I spent the night in the cathedral. The next day, March 15, started with a meeting over breakfast with the Saturday group of Msgr. Cerbo. These are people who help in the Saturday morning mass, which is a healing mass, and is meant to spread devotion to the Immaculate Conception. 10 persons were there. I got to know them and their activities and also suggested some other ways to help them in their work. Then I left for Pandacan to officiate at an ordination to the diaconate. I was back in the Cathedral at 12:30 pm. At 1:30 I came down to hear confession of a couple due to be confirmed the next day. Then I met the staff of the Cathedral – 12 persons in all. The meeting lasted for about an hour. At 2:45 pm, Msgr. Cerbo, one staff member and myself went to Maisan and Plastikan, two areas within Intramuros where informal settlers stay and which the Cathedral helps together with volunteers from schools within Intramuros by giving family catechesis to the people there. We went around the area, met with the barangay captain and spoke with the people. Coming back to the Cathedral at 4:00 pm, I spoke with Fr. Julius, then with Msgr. Cerbo and finally with Fr. Cesar. At 7:00 pm all four of us went to Manila Hotel and took our supper there.

I started the last day of the visitation celebrating the 7:00 am mass with Msgr. Cerbo. 15 persons were confirmed in the mass. After breakfast I met some volunteers who were there, around 10 of them, and then I took again the 10 am mass with Fr. Julius and Msgr. Cerbo. After the mass there was the signing of canonical books. At 11:30 all of us priests found ourselves together once more at table for lunch. Thus ended the visitation.

Observations:
1. The physical structure of the Cathedral is well maintained and there is the effort and preoccupation of the rector to repair and maintain the building continuously. This would require great expense though.
2. The finance of the Cathedral is in good order. The canonical books are also well kept.
3. The situation of the Cathedral is special in a sense that, not being a parish, the people who serve and attend its services are mostly not from the place. Hence it is difficult to get volunteers for its services. Most people who come on weekdays are office workers.
4. The Cathedral is able to survive financially because of its weddings.
5. The rector of the Cathedral sees to it that the documents in weddings and other sacraments are well done and well kept.
6. The volunteers who lend their services in the Cathedral are admirable in their concern and in their dedication, few they may be.
7. The priests are contented in their work and they are able to take time care of themselves, physically and spiritually.