Bishop Vicente Navarra will preside over the Solemn Investiture of the Knighthood of Pope St. Sylvester and the Official Conferment of the Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice on six lay persons, at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, at the San Sebastian Cathedral, a press release from the Diocese of Bacolod said.

To be raised to the noble rank of the Knight Commander with Badge of the Papal Order are Nestor Gabalda, Benjamin Lopue Jr. and Modesto Sa-onoy, while Maria Theresa Causing, Amparo Ferraris and Erlinda Ledesma will be awarded the medal of the Holy Cross.

The Knighthood of Pope St. Sylvester is the oldest and most prized of Papal Awards, but because of its antiquity, date of establishment can no longer be traced except for the series of Papal Briefs dating to several centuries defining the criteria for its grant, the press release said.

It is given to lay persons who are actively involved in the life of the church, as exemplified in their professional duties and mastery of various arts.

The Holy Cross medal is given to lay men and women in recognition of their outstanding services to the church and the Papacy, the press release said.

The knighthood was known before Oct. 31, 1841 as the Order of the Golden Militia or Golden Spur. It is when Pope Gregory XVI forbade its grant, limited the number of Commanders to 150 and Knights to 300 for the Papal States and is to be given only by him as Sovereign of the Papal States or the Vatican and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, the press release added.*

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Fund-raising show
to help repair parish

A fund-raising show called “Gugma Para Kay San Blas (Love for St. Blas)” will be held at 4 p.m. on Feb. 1, at the barangay plaza, to help the faithful of San Blas Parish in Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, rebuild their “very dilapidated” church.

It will feature charity diva Token Lizares, and the pop male group Kulai Pikata composed of Joel Teodoro, Jimmer and Jobert Monserate, Jose Gentica III, Raymund Castiller, Ernesto Sanao, and Stanley Barilla, with Loise Arroyo, Cynthia Joguilon, Ramon Waldato III and some surprise guests.

On the keyboard will be Archie Yanson and James Javelona.

Lizares said proceeds of the show will go to the reconstruction of the church under the care of parish priest Fr. Henry Pineda.

As a compliment to the efforts of churchgoers to rebuild this house of God, Lizares said the funds to be raised are intended primarily to fix the damaged ceiling and roof structure and prevent rainwater from coming into and ultimately destroying the altar. If not promptly addressed, this problem might cause the damaged portions to give, and possibly result in greater damage.

With tickets reasonably priced at P200, P100 and P50, Lizares said they are thanking those who have pledged to offer help as they are seeking more benefactors to help this cause by calling her at Saltimboca Bar at Tel. No. 433-8670, or Filomel Bolanio of the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City at mobile phone number 0910-349-8889.*GCT

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