ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET REDISCOVERED IN SANTA BARBARA PANGASINAN

KAPATIRANG CLARETIANO INC., (KCI)

PANGASINAN CHAPTER

SANTA BARBARA, PANGASINAN

PHILIPPINES

ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET REDISCOVERED IN SANTA BARBARA PANGASINAN

By Romano M. Bulatao

President, KCI - Pangasinan Chapter

On December 26, 1946 the first Claretian Missionary Fathers arrived in Manila, Philippines, through the invitation of Bishop Mariano A. Madriaga (Diocese of Lingayen-Dagupan) way back dated August 20, 1945 to Rev. Fr. Stephen Emaldia, CMF., Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The Claretian pioneers namely; Fr. Raymond D. Catalan, CMF., Fr. Arcadio H. Martin, CMF., and, Fr. Thomas J. Mitchell, CMF. They were canonically installed in Santa Barbara Pangasinan Parish on January 9, 1947. Consequently, these missionaries erected the altar of St. Anthony Mary Claret (at the right side of the Church), which was historically known as St. Claret’s first altar in Asia.

On December 26, 2011 the annual gathering of Ex- Claretians of Pangasinan (now officially recognized as KCI-Pangasinan Chapter) was held. This time, the KCI Pangasinan Chapter had experienced a more meaningful celebration of Christmas when they decided to rediscover the location of the barangay chapel which St. Claret is believed to be its Patron saint or at least was known to be the place where we will find the old statue of St. Claret (most probably the oldest in Pangasinan). A parish volunteer of Sta Barbara revealed this information last October 31, 2011 to KCI Pangasinan Chapter together with the KCI National representatives headed by Mr. Armand Nocum, the KCI President. The name of the barangay is Brgy. Dalongue in Sta Barbara, Pangasinan.

In the morning of December 26, 2011, KCI Pangasinan Chapter Officers went to Brgy. Dalongue. The KCI-PC officers present were Romano Bulatao (President, KCI-PC), Edgar Tagum (Vice President, KCI-PC), Louie Lamsen (Treasurer, KCI-PC), and Steve Inigo (P.R.O. Internal, KCI-PC). When they arrived at Brgy. Dalongue, they were warmly welcomed by some residents whose houses are near the chapel. They opened the chapel for us to see what we were looking for.

The Altar with the image of St. Anthony Claret (center)

St. Anthony Mary Claret

The residents from Brgy. Dalongue, Sta Barbara, Pangasinan, who have shown their hospitality to KCI-PC Officers are as follows: Florencio H. Villanueva, Jr., 64 years old (Brgy. Captain); Anecita de Vera, 85 years old; Leonida E. Mendoza, 71 years old; Natividad V. Echaluse, 66 years old; Herminihilda De Vera, 64 years old; Rudy De Vera, 63 years old; Imelda V. Poserio, 56 years old; and, Jonna P. Mendoza, 55 years old. These people were not only generous with their time and preparing snacks but also with stories about the chapel and how the icon of St. Claret was there with them. They have shown us the statue and it was written at the back that it was made on April 24, 1965 in Calasiao, Pangasinan. Aside from the statue of St. Claret, we also discovered a novena for St. Claret printed in Pangasinan language dated September 30, 1950 (around four months after the canonization of St. Anthony Mary Claret on May 7, 1950, by Pope Pius XII).

KCI-Pangasinan with Brgy. Dalongue officers

Bgry. Dalongue Chapel

There are initial proposals (open to comments and suggestions) endorsed to KCI National for this rediscovery:

1. KCI-PC to hold a Eucharistic celebration in this chapel within the year, as thanksgiving and 65 years celebration of the arrival of the Claretian Missionary Fathers in the Philippines , particularly in Sta. Barbara Pangasinan;

2. To document the history or story of St. Claret in Brgy. Dalongue, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan;

3. To process the possibility of renaming this chapel as “Saint Anthony Mary Claret Chapel” or simply, “Capilla de Claret”;

4. To reproduce the novena for St. Claret pamphlets;

5. To conduct an out-reach program to the barangay; and,

6. The possibility of chapel renovation or enhancement.

The KCI-PC believes that this rediscovery about St. Anthony Mary Claret in Sta. Barabara Pangasinan is not coincidental but providential. It is a call for all official Claretians and to all Claretians in spirit (especially to KCI) to renew and to go back to the roots. We are challenged to be rooted so that we may branch out and bear fruits. We need to remember that we are all invited to spread the fire of love wherever we may be. In the words of St. Claret, “May the love of Christ moves us on!” (CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS!)