The solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist began at 9 am. The faithful soon filled the cathedral, and many followed the celebration from outside, despite the rain. The Salesians of Don Bosco, together with the members of the various branches of the Salesian Family, all participated together in this event, so heart-felt by all the Sons of Don Bosco.
Also present at the celebration was Fr Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB, Provincial of the Philippines North (FIN), who accompanied Fr Vaclav Klement, SDB, Regional Councilor for East Asia-Oceania, who had arrived in the Philippines for the meeting of the Curatorium.
The image of Mary Help of Christians had the honor of receiving the coronation from Pope Francis. It is a clear affirmation on the part of the Holy Father that this Image of Mary with the Child Jesus has contributed to the growth of the Catholic faith throughout the Pangasinan province in the last ninety years.
This image of Mary Help of Christians was given by the then Apostolic Archbishop Guglielmo Piani to the Bishop Cesar Maria Guerrero, the first Bishop of Lingayen.
