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Saint Arroyo coming soon?

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/07/2009 9:36 PM

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Mother Rosario gave away her inheritance and loved the poor

The Arroyo couple attend a mass and canonization inquiry at the St. Anne Parish in Iloilo.

MANILA - Will the Arroyos have a bona fide saint in the family by next year?

Members of the Arroyo family, including the Presidential couple, attended a ceremony in Iloilo on Wednesday morning for the possible canonization of an Arroyo relative.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, arrived in Iloilo City at about 9 a.m. before attending the canonization inquiry of Mother Rosario Arroyo dela Visitacion at the St. Anne Parish in Molo town.

Mother Rosario is the great, great grandmother of the First Gentleman.

She is the founder of the Beaterio de Molo and the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary.

The canonization inquiry marks the beginning of the diocesan process where a beatified person is considered for sainthood after extensive proof - such as the intercession of a miracle - is presented to the Holy See at the Vatican.

The inquiry was reportedly initiated by Fr. Samson Sillorequez and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

The First Couple, along with Negros Occidental 5th District Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, members of the Arroyo Cabinet, and local government officials attended a mass officiated by Lagdameo.

The group also visited Mother Rosario's tomb then laid flowers and lit candles in front of the nun's picture.

Beatified

A picture of Mother Rosario Arroyo dela Visitacion, the great, great grandmother of First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.

According to the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, Mother Rosario (Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo) was born on February 17, 1884 to the wealthy couple Don Ignacio Arroyo and Doña Maria Pidal in Molo town.

She entered the convent at 27, and donated her inheritance to the congregation.

She was described to have "virtues of purity and innocence, deep simplicity and profound humility, [and] ardent love for the poor and needy."

Mother Rosario died on June 14, 1957 at the age 73.

According to an official Palace statement, several persons claimed to receive favors from God through the intercession of Mother Rosario, even after her death.

The statement also said the Tribunal that is leading the canonization process is still documenting the "graces and favors granted through Mother Rosario's intercession."

In his homily on Wednesday, Lagdameo asked the public to pray the rosary so that the Vatican will approve their petition for Mother Rosario's sainthood.

After the ceremony, the First Couple left for another engagement at Estancia municipality. Report by Kenneth Ladiogohon and John Mark Guda, ABS-CBN Iloilo, with reports from ABS-CBN News.