On May 15, 2023, the SCJ parish in Dumalinao celebrated its 66th Patronal Feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer. The Holy Eucharist started at 9:45 am. The main celebrant was the Bishop of Pagadian, Most Rev. Ronald I. Lunas, D.D. The bishop was joined by some SCJs, from the Zamboanga del Sur area and from Cagayan de Oro. The celebration of the Eucharist was followed by a common meal and a cultural program.
Rev. Fr. Francisco Baguio Jr, the Vicar Forane from the Diocese of Ipil, was the main celebrant of the Feast Mass of St. Isidore the Farmer, in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur on May 14, 2021. He was accompanied by the Deacon, Rev. Carlito Gemina, Fr. John Karl Cabaluna SCJ, the parish priest, Fr. Dennis Macasero SCJ, the assistant parish priest, and other SCJ and diocesan priests.
St. Isidore, the Farmer is the patron saint of two SCJ parishes: Kumalarang and Dumalinao. This year, due to the pandemic coronavirus and GCQ (General Community Quarantine), the celebration of the parish feast was very simple. The main part which is the Holy Eucharist was held online. In Kumalarang the Holy Mass was presided by Fr. John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, the parish priest and in Dumalinao by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the regional superior of the Philippine Region, who for the last two months is stranded in Zamboanga del Sur. The motorized procession with the statue of the saint was held either before or after the Mass. Even it was a rainy fiesta, the parishioners enjoyed their meal and time together. Continue reading
St. Isidore, the Farmer (1070-1130) is considered the patron saint of farmers and rural communities. He was born to very poor yet very pious Catholic parents in Madrid; as a young boy, he went to work on the estate of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from the nearby town of Torrelaguanna.
Isidore labored on Vergas’ farm for the rest of his life. He was a model worker, a simple and caring person, and a very devout Christian.
In the morning before going to work, Isidore would usually attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow farm workers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the ploughing for him. Continue reading
On May 15, 2018, the two SCJ parishes celebrated their Patronal Feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer. In Dumalinao, the Holy Eucharist started at 9:30 am. The main celebrant was Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the Regional Superior and Parish Priest. The celebration was attended by a number of SCJs, who will attend the SCJ meeting on May 17, 2018. The celebration of the Eucharist was followed by a common meal, including some “lechons” (roasted pigs).
In Kumalarang, the main celebrant was Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ, the Master of Novices. The celebration of the Eucharist was followed by a common meal and after that cultural show prepared by different zones. Some SCJs were able to attend the second part of the celebration.
In both cases the celebration was very well prepared, so the people from different chapels could enjoy the feast of their patron, St. Isidore the Farmer.
SCJ Philippines Region 