VP Binay to attend Calungsod canonization

MANILA, Philippines - Vice-President Jejomar Binay will lead the Philippine delegation to the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on October 21 at the Vatican City in Rome.

Binay will attend the event in behalf of President Aquino to witness Calungsod's installation as the second Filipino saint following San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Calungsod, a young Visayan catechist in Guam, was persecuted in 1672. He was beatified in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

The canonization rites for Calungsod and 6 others will begin with a Mass at Saint Peter's Square to be followed by an evening service prayer and a procession of the new saints' icons.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said over a thousand Filipinos will fly to the Vatican to witness the event.

ANC Dateline Philippines, October 11, 2012