pamuring

Ash Wednesday or Miercoles de Ceniza "came early" this year. As expected, a good number of Calbayognon took time to attend mass and undergo the traditional pamuring. Masses were said in various chapels and schools. During the 5 pm mass, the Cathedral was filled with the faithful as early as 4:o0 pm. It has always been the way it is as far as I can remember. The crowd will more than double in less than forty days' time when the faithful will once again troop to the Cathedral for the kwaresma services. During today's mass, I heard one sierva sister comment about the faith of the Calbayognon. That statement reminded me of a line supposedly uttered by the first Bishop of Calbayog when asked why he choose Calbayog as the seat of the diocese: "... the faith of the Calbayogon is second to none ..."

Msgr. Leonardo Guadalquiver takes time to talk with some lay ministers and lectors at the sacristy as they wait for the signal to start the mass.

one thing though, the faithful never learned to fall in line during the pamuring.