The pulpit panels in Boljoon are about the Word of God – Archbishop Palma

After four decades of disappearance along with other religious artifacts, four out of six wooden panels of the old pulpit of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon Cebu has finally been retrieved. Last March 20, the reinstallation of the panels was officiated by Rev. Fr. Brian Brigoli, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Culture and Heritage.

A thanksgiving Mass was held presided over by Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, the Archbishop of Cebu. The concelebrants were Msgr. Arturo Navales, parish priest of Boljoon; Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo delos Angeles, the Legal Counsel of the archdiocese; Fr. Brigoli; Rev. Fr. Kit Sestoso; Msgr. Joseph Tan, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson of the archdiocese; and Msgr. Raul Go among other concelebrating priests.

At the outset of the mass, the removal of the coverings and the blessing of the panels were officiated by the archbishop. Moreover, the archbishop gave his homily from the old pulpit of Boljoon Church.

In his homily, the archbishop viewed the return of the panels as a special celebration for all. He expressed his gratitude to the priests and to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in whose effort the panels has been returned. The archbishop reminded the people that the celebration of the Holy Mass is the very source of the gathering of the faithful.

“Of all the gatherings of believers, there is the celebration of the Eucharist, the celebration of the Mass which is the apex and the summit of all celebrations. The apex and summit of grace,” he said.

He added that we are all aware that in our gathering, God reveals His love for us through the sending of His Son and here in Cebu the sending of the Santo Nino. We ought to be thankful to the Lord because of the Virgin Mary’s willingness to receive Jesus. In this Jubilee year, the archbishop reminds us that hope never disappoints because its wellspring is God’s love.

Furthermore, Palma highlighted the connection between the pulpit and the word of God, the former being significant as it animates the latter. “Makaingon kita, salamat. Kamo mismo makaingon, just to remind us, that as we open our hearts to the word of God, bisan pa sa pagbasa sa mga sulat ni San Pablo, human niini giingon ang Ebanghelyo sa Ginoo. Dili na kang Mateo, Dili na kang San Pablo, iya sa Ginoo. Mao nga ang koneksyon sa Dios ug sa sermon sa pari mahinungdanon kaayo,” he said.

Lastly, Abp. Palma remarked that God reminds us that these blessings we have received from Him may bear fruit, and as Mother Teresa puts it, this gratuitous gift of faith may bear fruit in love.

Before the final blessing, the signing of the document validating the return of the original wooden panels from the National Museum of the Philippines to the Boljoon Parish was done. Among the signees were Palma, Navales, Delos Angeles, Gov. Garcia, Mayor Joie Genesse Derama of Boljoon, Director Jeremy Barnz of NMP, Victoriano of the National Historical Commission on Culture and the Arts, and a number of representatives from NMP Cebu and the Local Government Unit.

            In his message, Barnz was grateful for the opportunity given them to be part of the ceremonial return of the wooden panels, and they apologized for whatever shortcomings they made in the process. Joyful was also the mayor of the town about the event, and he promised that together with his subjects, they will ensure the protection and preservation of the panels and other historical antiques of the province. Gov. Garcia also wishes hopefully that the last remaining panel be handed over to by its current possessor.

The Boljoon church, erected in 1606, has been considered a National Culture Treasure along with other historical churches in Cebu and all over the Philippines.

NOTE: This story was first published in Cebuano in print on March 30, 2025, translated into English by Lawrence Earl Mayol.