The Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bp. Herman Abcede, RCJ in Daet

          Last May 1, I had the privilege of attending the episcopal ordination and installation of the new bishop of Daet, Most Rev. Herman Abcede, RCJ. The principal consecrator was Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, the former bishop of Daet and now the archbishop of Caceres. Coincidentally, Fr. Anthony Timoner, who had been serving as the diocesan administrator of Daet, was also recently appointed bishop of Pagadian.

Following the ordination rites, I took the opportunity to visit the last two towns in Camarines Norte that I had not yet seen during my previous tour of the province in 2018.

The first stop was San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first and only municipality in the Philippines named after the first Filipino saint. Originally established as the municipality of Imelda in 1970, it was officially renamed San Lorenzo Ruiz on February 10, 1989, two years after the canonization of the saint in 1987. Located just about 15 kilometers west of Daet, the town holds a special distinction in both civil and ecclesiastical history.

We then proceeded to the town of San Vicente, located north of and almost parallel to San Lorenzo Ruiz. However, since there is no direct road connecting the two towns, we had to return to Daet and take a different route to reach it.

At the episcopal ordination, I had the chance to reconnect with Fr. Mark Sagrado, a Piarist priest whom I had known since his ordination. One of his fellow ordinands was from Ormoc City, where I was then serving as parish priest. I vividly remember Fr. Mark attending the thanksgiving Mass of his contemporary in Ormoc. Upon learning that he was now assigned to San Vicente, I made sure to inform him that we would be visiting his parish later that afternoon. 

Bishop-elect Herman Abcede, RCJ making his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity in the presence of Abp. Rex Andrew Alarcon, the previous bishop of Daet and now Archbishop of Caceres with Bishop-elect Anthony Timoner, the diocesan administrator of Daet looking on. 

The laying on of hands by Abp. Alarcon. 

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Parish
San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish
San Vicente, Camarines Norte

With Fr. Mark Sagrado.

The miraculous statue of St. Vincent Ferrer, visited by pilgrims from near and far, is encased in glass on the left side of the altar.

I would say that the artwork of the altar is unique that I have not seen anywhere. 

CHURCHES OF CAMARINES NORTE

The province of Camarines Norte which ecclesiastically comprises also the Diocese of Daet is composed of twelve municipalities: Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Santa Elena, Talisay and Vinzons. Last weekend together with some office workers we visited the province. We were able to visit ten of the towns and also had an overnight stay at the Calaguas Island. We left Manila very early from Manila that before seven in the morning we were already in Daet which is where we started our exploration of the province. Many of the parishes dates back to the 1500s and the 1600s that is why several churches still have the old structure of thick walls usually made of coral stones. Many churches have beautiful altar retablos but they were already of recent built.  I will be featuring the parish churches of the towns in the order that we visited them.

CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST HOLY TRINTIY

Gahonon, Daet, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1981

The Installation of Bp. Rex Alarcon as Bishop of Daet, March 20, 2019. 

PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Daet, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1581

SHRINE AND PARISH OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

Mercedes, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1954

PARISH OF ST. RAPHEL THE ARCHANGEL

Basud, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1894

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel

PARISH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Talisay, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1654

PARISH OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE

Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1581

PARISH OF ST.  JOHN THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST

Labo Camarines Norte

Founded: 1656

SHRINE AND APRISH OF OUR LADY OF CANDELARIA

Paracale, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1611

They were placing a new roofing over the Church when we visited.

PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY

Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1666

PARISH OF ST. LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Capalonga, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1634

PARISH OF ST. HELENA THE EMPRESS

Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte

Founded: 1961