By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic
Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
Erwin Caampued and Jun Padua help carry the statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila into St. Mary Cathedral.
MIAMI | As they have done for the last 18 years, Filipino Catholics gathered to mark the feast day of their first native saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz. The celebration took place Sept. 29 at St. Mary Cathedral with Archbishop Thomas Wenski as celebrant and homilist, and Father Jes�s "Jets" Medina as concelebrant. Father Medina is the first Filipino native to be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Miami. He currently works as chaplain at Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School in Miami. The Mass was followed by a reception featuring Filipino food and entertainment.
Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski delivers the homily, greeting Filipinos with "mabuhay" which means "welcome" in Tagalog.
Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
Jacob Eco, Mayrelle Castro, in front, Ysabela Radovan, Ricardo Pampolina and Marian Catalasan line up to bring the offertory to the archbishop.
Photographer: MARLENE QUARONI | FC
Members of "Only Look Up" Filipino youth movement dance at the reception that followed the Mass.
