2. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

 Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Feast of Saint Vitalis of Milan Immaculate Conception

Another very popular church in the city, just a few minutes’ walk from the Santo Niño Church is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It is the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Metropolitan Cebu and has Saint Vitalis as its patron saint. 

It was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595 and elevated as a metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934 with the dioceses of Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran, and Talibon as suffrages.

The Construction of the cathedral took many years due to frequent interruptions, brought about by a lack of funds and other unexpected events. At one time, funds meant for the building of the cathedral were diverted to the moro wars. The death of an incumbent bishop who spearheaded the construction/reconstruction and vacancies in the office were also factors.

Structure

The architecture of the church is typical of Spanish colonial churches in the country, namely, squat and with thick walls to withstand typhoons and other natural calamities. The facade features a trefoil-shaped pediment, which is decorated with carved relieves of floral motifs, an IHS inscription, and a pair of griffins. The Spanish Royal Coat of Arms is emblazoned in low relief above the main entrance, reflecting perhaps the contribution of the Spanish monarch to its construction.

During World War II, much of the cathedral was destroyed by Allied bombings of the city. Only the belfry (built-in 1835), the facade, and the walls remained. It was quickly rebuilt in the 1950s under the supervision of architect Jose Ma. Zaragosa during the incumbency of Archbishop Gabriel Reyes.

Museum

In 1982, a mausoleum was built at the back of the sacristy at the initiation of Archbishop Julio Cardinal Rosales. It serves as a final resting place for the remains of Cebu’s bishops and clergy. Cardinal Rosales, who died three months after the inauguration of the mausoleum, is interred there along with Archbishop Manuel Salvador, a coadjutor archbishop of Cebu, and Archbishop Mariano Gaviola, the archbishop of Lipa (1981–1993). The remains of Bishop Juan Bautista Gorordo, the first Filipino and Cebuano bishop of Cebu are also interred there.

The cathedral has a pending application at the Vatican for the cathedral’s elevation into a minor basilica in honor of St. Vitalis, an early Christian martyr. His feast day coincides with the day the image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu was founded almost 450 years ago, as well as the anniversary of the elevation of Cebu into an archdiocese.

Saint Vitalis, Martyr

Another holy saint and martyr by the name of St Vitalis was a citizen of Milan, of noble descent; the entire family was Christians, and his conduct was most exemplary. St Vitalis had served in the army of the emperor, and was consequently on terms of friendship with Paulinus, the consul, trusting to whose favor he assisted the persecuted Christians, succored them in their need, and visited them in their prisons or in the caverns where they lay concealed.

Paulinus was a great enemy of the Christians, but, not knowing that St Vitalis was one, invited him to travel to Ravenna. On their arrival, our saint heard that a certain Christian, named Ursicinus, by profession a physician, had been condemned to torture, and seemed frightened at the approach of death.

Vitalis, leaving the consul, ran to the spot, and finding Ursicinus almost ready to yield, exclaimed:

“How is this, my friend? Thou hast the crown almost within their grasp. Having already suffered so much, wilt thou miserably lose it? To avoid these short pains, wilt thou cast thyself into everlasting torments? Thou hast cured the maladies of others; wilt thou now condemn thyself to eternal death? Enliven thy faith! Have confidence in Jesus Christ! Bravely consummate the sacrifice of thyself.”

Upon this exhortation, the constancy of Ursicinus revived, and he gave his life for Jesus; upon which Vitalis carried off his body and respectfully interred it.