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Last Friday, the entire St. Patrick's community celebrated the Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, who is the patron saint of the Philippines and the Filipino people. Ruiz was a missionary to Japan during the Tokugawa Shogunate in mid-17th century and eventually was martyred along with his companions for his Catholic beliefs. His last words were "I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God; Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer."

We had a procession around around the main circle, a Holy Mass in the main chapel, and a wonderful reception in the refectory. Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Ernesto Jandonero '19 of the Archdiocese of San Francisco assisted by Deacons Ron Pangan and Junee Valencia of the Archdiocese of Agaña. The homily was given by Father Victor Trinidad of the Diocese of San Jose, who detailed the incredible sacrifice that San Lorenzo and his companions made for the faith. Father Dan Donohoo, our rector, gave some heartfelt remarks at the end of the service.

After the Holy Mass, guests danced with the statute on the procession to the refectory to the beat of drums and tambourines, a tradition which comes from the Old Testament. It is written in Psalms, "They should praise him with dancing. They should sing praises to him with tambourines and harps (Ps 149:3)." In the recounting of the life of King David in 2 Samuel, we also read that "Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets (2 Samuel 6:14-15)."

The night ended with the Tinikling (bamboo dance) where two people beat, tap, and slide bamboo poles on the ground and against each other while one or more dancers step over and in between the poles in a dance. Dancers tried to imitate the tikling bird's grace and speed by successfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles. 

Below is a slideshow of our celebration for you to enjoy. San Lorenzo Ruiz, Pray for us! 

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