St. Joseph's Cathedral, Balanga
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The Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph also known as St. Joseph's Cathedral in Balanga, Bataan, is the seat of the Diocese of Balanga witch includes all of Bataan. Its current bishop is Bishop Socrates Villegas, formerly seated at the EDSA Shrine in Manila.
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[edit] History
During the Japanese Invasion, the cathedral was used as an artillery emplacement to bombard Mt. Samat where the Filipino-American troops gave their last stand. It was later renovated by the first bishop of the Diocese, His excellency Bishop Celso Guevarra DD and made its patron saint, Saint Joseph. During His excellency Bishop Socrates reign, he saw that all of it's decorations and structures were in a bad state, he renovated it and finished many months later.
[edit] Bishops
The following are the bishops appointed
| Name | Formerly Bishop of | Appointed to the Diocese | Appointed elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Celso N Guevarra † Died Aug. 13, 2002, tomb in the Belltower of the cathedral | Titular Bishop of Vannida (Titular See) | June 4, 1975 | Retired April 8, 1998 |
| Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco | Priest of San Fernando, Pampanga | April 8, 1998 (Ordained Bishop June 18, 1998) | Bishop of Cubao June 28, 2003 |
| Bishop Socrates Buenaventura Villegas | Bishop of Nona (Titular See) | May 3, 2004 (Installed July 3, 2004 | --current-- |
[edit] Inside
St. Joseph's cathedral is a very beautiful place inside. After the war, His excellency Bishop Celso renovated the church. Its walls white and chandeliers drop from the ceiling, before the altar was the biggest of the chandeliers, with gold leafs and many lights, lightened up the church. Behind the altar was a beautiful structure. It was painted green with stripes of gold and has a statue of Jesus in the left, Mother Mary in the right and St. Joseph holding the hand of Baby Jesus.
Beside the altar, there were two statues, St. Lorenzo Ruiz in the left and Mother Mary at the right. There were a magnificent group of bells lined together vertically by metal grills, this was the usual bell design in almost all of the parishes in Bataan. There used to be a statue of Jesus of Nazareth near the main door,which was kept for rehabilitation, believing that it is miraculous. People lined up and gave sampaguitas to its neck and cross, they would usually wipe its feet. When His excellency Bishop Socrates was appointed here, he saw that the decorations were in bad shape and covered in cobwebs. He renovated the inside with a new design. When it was finished, the white walls were turned to a fascinating wall of bricks, the structure behind the altar turned to a marble white, the floors were higher and the chandeliers were replaced by lights in the ceilings. Everything was bright. People were fascinated about it.
[edit] Feast of the Patron Saint
The Feast day of St. Joseph is held on April 28 every year, people will wait outside for the "carosa" of St. Joseph.
Then when it comes the march around the city praying the rosary. Residents light up candles in front of their houses and watch the people and holy images passing by there houses. When they finally reach the church, they have a celebration on the Plaza with fireworks and dancing.
The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated twice in the city of Balanga. Every March 19 and the "pistang bayan" every April 28.
