Rome, Italy, Nov 2, 2017 / 23:08 pm
In Rome, hundreds of Filipinos gathered for Mass on Sunday to promote the cause of beatification of the Servant of God Alfredo Versoza y Florentin, who was Bishop of Lipa for 35 years.
The Mass was celebrated Oct. 29 at St. Mary of Sorrows parish by Archbishop Emeritus Ernesto Salgado of Nueva Segovia, where Bishop Versoza had grown up.
Many of those attending the Mass were migrants of the Ilocano people, a Filinipo ethnic group from the northern portions of Luzon. Bishop Versoza was himself an Ilocano.
The Missionary of Catechists of the Sacred Heart, which was cofounded by the Servant of God, and the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia have pushed heavily for his beatification, especially in light of the 100th anniversary of his episcopal consecration.