Last August 21, 2021, the third Pastoral Visit in our parish was held by Most Rev. Nolly C. Buco, the auxiliary bishop of Antipolo in the name of Most Rev. Francisco M. De Leon, Bishop of Antipolo, as part of the series of Pastoral Visits to the different parishes in the Diocese of Antipolo. The second Pastoral Visit was done on October 30, 2011 by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, now Bishop-Emeritus of Antipolo, during the time of Rev. Fr. Virgilio C. Lachica Jr. The first Pastoral Visit was also led by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes on December 11, 2005 during the time of Rev. Fr. Teofilo Lopez Jr.
But what is a Pastoral Visit? According to Canon Law 396.1: “A bishop is obliged to visit the diocese annually either in whole or in part, so that he visits the entire diocese at least every five years either personally or, if he has been legitimately impeded, through the coadjutor bishop, an auxiliary, vicar general, episcopal vicar, or another presbyter.” Pastoral Visits have been done so that the bishop will know the situation of the parish, its parish priest and the parish servants, the conditions of the temporal goods of the parish, which include financial goods and properties, and thus, he may give recommendations on how to serve the parish better in the future.
In the Diocese of Antipolo, an advanced team consisting of curia officials visits the parish ahead of time to help prepare the necessary documents for the Pastoral Visit. On the day of the Visit, the Bishop or his delegate is welcomed at the doors of the church, after which he proceeds to the altar where the Blessed Sacrament is kept for a moment of prayer.
He then goes to the sacristy to vest for Mass. The Mass is attended by the parish community, led by the Parish Pastoral Council and the different ministries and organizations of the parish. During the Mass, the ceremony of scrutiny of the tabernacle, baptistry and confessional is held.
At an appropriate time after the Mass, the Bishop visits the Parish Office to personally check and sign the documents which were prepared beforehand. He also meets with the Parish Pastoral Council to discuss the different matters on situation of and on the governance of the parish. If time permits, he may also visit the different areas of the parish.
Everybody is invited to take part in this event. The presence of a bishop is a blessing to the parish when he visits. Those who attend and participate in the liturgical celebrations during the Visit may gain indulgences as well.
