Church Marks Cory Aquino's 1st Death Anniversary

MANILA, July 31, 2010- The country's "Joan of Arc" and "Icon of Democracy" will be remembered in Sunday Masses in various Catholic churches across the country as the nation remembers the first death anniversary of former President Corazon Aquino.

It will be recalled the mother of current President Benigno Simeon Aquino III succumbed to colon cancer at the Makati Medical Center last Aug.1, 2009.

At 10:30 a.m., Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas will celebrate a special Mass for the late chief executive at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City.

Also tomorrow, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City, a memorial Mass will be led by Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles.

"The Filipino people was gifted by the Lord during the dark and difficult days with the person and leadership of President Cory," Valles said.

He said when he thinks of President Cory, he is reminded of how good God has been to Filipinos.

"She showed us how love of God and love of country can be lived in our lives as individual Filipinos and in our collective life as a nation," Valles added.

In Cagayan de Oro City, at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, the late former chief executive will be remembered at a Holy Mass tomorrow.

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ said he is praying the late President's legacy "live on in the present administration" led by President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III.

Over in Iloilo, at the Archdiocese of Jaro under Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, while there will be no special Masses, the former president will be remembered in Mass intentions to be said at the Our Lady of the Assumption parish and the Carmelite Convent.

Meanwhile, Prelature of Isabella de Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said while they have no special celebration on the first death anniversary of the popular president, he said the most they can do tomorrow is to include Mass intentions in their nine parishes.

Calbayog Bishop Isabelo C. Abarquez said he will include Mass intentions for the late president in his Holy Mass at the St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral at the heart of the city tomorrow morning. (Melo M. Acuna)