DUMANGAS, ILOILO – The Holy Door of the Parish of Saint Augustine, Dumangas, Iloilo was officially opened last Saturday morning, April 10, 2021, to mark the year-long Jubilee Year celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. The rite of opening of the Holy Door was officiated by Very Rev. Fr. Juan Parreñas, Parish Priest and Vicar Forane, in behalf of the Archbishop of Jaro. Following the opening of the Porta Sancta, Holy Mass was offered by Rev. Fr. Jesus Glofel Manaay, who, at the same time, was celebrating his birthday on that day. It was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Dindo Rei Tesoro, Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, whose Holy Door was opened two days prior to the inauguration at the Dumangas Parish.
According to historical accounts, Dumangas, formerly known as Araud or Araut, was one of the 1st visitas in Panay Island as erected by the Spanish Augustinian Missionaries in 1575. It was also believed that 1st Mass was celebrated in this place as it is the home of the 1st stone church in the Island of Panay. The visita of Araut became the Iglesia Matriz (Mother Church) of many parishes north-side of the province of Iloilo.
Photos courtesy of the Soccom Team of St. Augustine Parish of Dumangas, Iloilo
