Big Filipino turnout in Little Rock mass to honor Filipino saints

The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Filipinos turned out for a recent celebration of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod. FACEBOOK

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Filipino American Catholics recently turned out in big numbers to honor the Philippines’ two patron saints — 17^thcentury Catholic martyrs St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod — during a bilingual mass at Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, Father Elbert Fadallan of the Little Rock Air Force Base and other priests from the diocese concelebrated the Sept 16 standing-room only mass and dinner hosted by the Filipino-American communities of Little Rock and Tulsa, Oklahoma. There are some 39,000 Filipinos among Little Rock’s population of 202,500.

“It’s really, really exciting to see the expression of faith and at the same time hearing those beautiful voices speaking in our native language, just to celebrate the martyrdom of our two Filipino saints,” Father Fadallan said, according to the Arkansas Catholic. “Exciting times. It’s beautiful to look forward to continuously celebrating our faith, wherever we are.”