Celebrating Faith and Hope: 40th Parochial Fiesta of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish

“Pagtuo, Pagsaksi, Paglaum.” The parish community of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Talomo once again comes alive with vibrant devotion and joyful celebration as the 40th Parochial Fiesta unfolds. With the theme of Faith, Witness, and Hope the festivities are not only moments of merriment but also a profound expression of the people’s living faith. This year’s fiesta, held from September 19 to 28, offers a rich lineup of activities that blend prayer, service, and community bonding.

The novena masses set the spiritual tone of the celebration, starting each day with the Chaplet and Rosary at 4:00 in the morning. Alongside these prayers, the parish extends its mission of service to the wider community through free medical and dental services last September 21, a reminder that faith is lived not just in prayer but in concrete acts of love.

Nights filled with music, laughter, and fellowship bring together families, local government officials, and barangay leaders, highlighting unity as a gift of God especially during the LGU and Brgy. Night last September 25 and Family Night last September 26 both held at the Parish Grounds. The fiesta weekend builds up to a crescendo with the solemn procession at dawn, followed by the lively Fiesta Zumba, and the Kasadra Inter-Zone Competition, proving that joy and faith can harmoniously go hand in hand.

On the feast day itself, September 28, the parish celebrates a series of Holy Masses in Cebuano and English, capped with the Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao followed by the baptism rites that anchor the fiesta in its true purpose: thanksgiving and witness to God’s enduring grace.

At the heart of this celebration is San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr. Born in Binondo, Manila, he served as a devoted catechist, dedicating his life to teaching the faith. His steadfast witness to Christ, even to the point of martyrdom in Nagasaki, Japan in 1637, makes him an enduring symbol of courage and fidelity. His example resonates deeply during September, the Catechetical Month, as catechists everywhere draw inspiration from his unwavering commitment to spreading the Good News despite trials and persecution.

As the parish honors San Lorenzo Ruiz, it also pays tribute to the catechists who, like him, nurture the seeds of faith in communities. The fiesta thus becomes more than a series of activities; it is a living reminder that faith, when embraced with courage and hope, can transform hearts and strengthen the bonds of a community.