New Chapel inside IGaCos Jail

The BJMP IGACOS Jail held the Ribbon Cutting and Blessing of the newly built chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the jail compound. The blessing was presided by Fr. Jun Gimeno, parish priest of Virgen Dolorosa Parish in Babak. Gracing this historic occasion were BJMP officials JSupt Ian Glenn V. Ocmen, Regional Chief of Directorial Staff; JSupt Len John Bernal, Provincial Administrator Davao del Norte Province; representatives from the Davao Archdiocesan Prison Ministry led by Bro. Manny Escuadro; friends and benefactors of the chapel project. Immediately after the blessing a holy mass was co-celebrated by Rev. Fr. Roy Vincent Husain, MLCC and BJMP Region XI-XII Chaplain Rev. Fr. Chris Nombres, MOP. The said mass also served as its first fiesta mass in honor of the chapel patron, Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day it is today, December 12.

In his homily Fr. Husain said that this chapel is a gift of the Virgin Mary to the PDLs and BJMP personnel of IGACOS as a sign of her constant maternal presence among them. Having a chapel inside the compound has been a long-time desire and prayer of Fr. Husain, of the PDLs and of the BJMP personnel. God’s answer came through the leadership of Warden Gil Plaza and their joint initiative with Fr. Husain and various benefactors who selflessly donated their talents and treasures.

The chapel and the wooden benches were built by the PDLs themselves in just 35 days.! IGACOS is only the third jail in the region that has a chapel inside; the other two are in the Davao City Main Jail (Sto. Niño Chapel) and in Davao City Annex Jail (Our Lady of Fatima). Before closing his homily, Fr. Husain expressed this prayer: “hinaut unta nga sa sunod tuig, ipadala sa Ginoo dinhi si Archbishop Romulo Valles aron maoy momisa alang sa kasaulogan sa ikaduhang pista dinhi sa chapel.” Hinaut unta. (Marian Raquel | DAPMin)