Thousands of people attended the thanksgiving Mass and promulgation of the decree of Venerable Teofilo Camomot’s heroic virtue.
The Mass was presided over by the papal nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, at a chapel inside the Daughters of St.Teresa (DST) mother house compound in Carcar City.
The promulgation of the decree by Pope Francis that declared Camomot venerable was a recognition that he practiced the theological and cardinal virtues to a heroic degree.
Police estimated the crowd of pilgrims and devotees at around 6,000.
Archbishop Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro, in his homily, paid tribute to Camomot “for all the good things he has done to us and the whole archdiocese.”
Camomot served Cagayan de Oro as its coadjutor archbishop for 12 years until he resigned in 1970 for health reasons.
“The legacies he left are truly remarkable, which fosters holiness among us clergy, religious and lay faithful,” Archbishop Cabantan said.
The DST congregation, which Camomot founded, also described the archbishop as a “man of prayer” and a “great gift from God.”
“We believe in his dedication to the poor and detachment from material possession, which is the trademark of his ministry,” said its mother superior Ma. Louella Grace Buscato.
Camomot is two steps away from possible sainthood. Once it is confirmed that a miracle happened through his intercession, he will be declared “blessed”. For canonization, a second miracle is required.
The Philippines so far has only two saints, Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, who are both laymen.
