Intensive preparations are now being undertaken  for two grand celebrations that will take place on April 26 – the 47th Coronation Anniversary of La Virgen Divina Pastora and the 25th Anniversary of the Divina Pastora National Shrine.

Spearheading the preparations is the 2011 Fiesta Committee headed by Dr. Evangeline P.  Morales, hermana, and Engr. Cesar S. Ancheta, hermano.

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is expected to grace the occasion.  It will be a sentimental visit for the cardinal  as it was he who presided over the historic rites proclaiming the Gapan church as National Shrine of La  Virgen Divina Pastora on April 26, 1986.

Rev. Fr. Antonio A. Mangahas, Jr., parish priest,  said that this year's activities will revolve around the theme "Bayang Nagkakaisa sa Lingap ng Divina Pastora", underlining the role of the patron saint in unifying the faithful within and outside the parish.

The twin anniversary celebrations will feature the traditional novena, a re-enactment of the coronation ceremony and a grand procession of patron saints of all Gapan City barangays accompanied by contingents of street dancers.

Also slated are social action projects including medical missions and tree planting.

The devotion to the Divina Pastora began in the 1700s. Through the centuries, the numerous miracles attributed to Her intercession so popularized the devotion to Her  that She was eventually adopted as the second patron saint of the 415 year old parish originally dedicated to Three Kings. She was later declared the patron saint of the Diocese of Cabanatuan and the province of Nueva Ecija.

The May 1 Divina Pastora fiesta draws thousands of pilgrims from Nueva Ecija and adjoining provinces, giving Gapan its reputation as a "Pilgrimage City". ###
 
 

A tableau featuring the image of  St. Hannibal Mary di Francia, founder of the Rogationists and Daughters of Divine Zeal and dubbed as "Apostle of Prayer for Vocations" and  "Father of the Orphans and the Poor", has been installed in front of the parish center with the permission of Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud and the Three Kings Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Antonio Mangahas, Jr.

The statue l was put up in thanksgiving for the vocation of five Rogationist priests who come from Gapan City --  Fr. Gabriel Flores, dean of the Rogationist College in Cavite and former general councilor in Rome;  Fr. Ariel Tecson, spiritual director;  Fr. Rodolfo Patiag, superior of the Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies;  Fr. Rene Ramirez, superior of the St. Hannibal Rogate Center and Fr. Ronald Masilang who is taking up postgraduate studies in Rome.

Last December 16 after the first Misa de Gallo, the statue was unveiled by Gapan City Mayor Christian Tinio and San Vicente Barangay Chair Ariel Tecson, and blessed by Fr. Mangahas.

To the Gapanense Rogationists, the occasion took on more significance as it coincided with the 15th sacerdotal anniversary of Fr. Tecson. ###
 
 

The National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora was transformed into a concert hall on December 3 at 6:00 P.M., as the Three Kings Parish presented “Pasasalamat… Ang Awit”, a musical presentation that showcased two world-class Filipino performers -- Novo Ecijana Marielle Corpuz, Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World in the annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2010; and Rhap Salazar, 2009 WCOPA Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World.

The concert also featured homegrown talents -- the singing clergy composed of Fathers Bill Villaviza, Onet Mangahas, Elmer Mangalinao, Edwin Dizon, Jeffrey dela Cruz, Angelo Fernando and Edwin Beley; the Divina Pastora Chorale; and the Zabat Band.

A highlight of the program wasthe blessing and formal public unveiling by Rev. Fr. Elmer Mangalinao, Vicar General of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, of the restored church bovida, a priceless Nueva Ecija cultural treasure.

Funds realized from this event will go to two forthcoming projects -- the rebuilding of the sacristy and the church patio -- parts of the extensive preparations for the Golden Anniversary of the Coronation of La Virgen Divina Pastora in 2014. ###