The Manila Cathedral

Rectors

MSGR. AUGUSTO PEDROSA (1975-1985)

Msgr. Pedrosa also coordinated with the Cofradia dela Immaculada Concepcion the Marian procession every December. And every January, he organized the Sto. Niño procession that would culminate in a Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand. Both of these events, which have become Manila Cathedral’s traditions, are being held annually until now.

As a Rector, Msgr. Pedrosa initiated major repairs and improvements of the Cathedral’s building and equipment. Through the Manila Cathedral Cultural Foundation, for instance, he was able to raise funds for the repairs of the leaking ceilings of the church’s side chapels and for the refixing of the church’s noisy airconditioning system. More significantly, it was at his initiative that the Manila Cathedral pipe organ, already unfunctional then, was rehabilitated. He contracted a German company, which sent an expert to the Philippines solely for the project.

When Msgr. Augusto Pedrosa was Rector of the Manila Cathedral from 1978-1985, he was also the treasurer of the Archdiocese of Manila, managing its financial and property affairs.

Before his appointment as Manila Cathedral Rector, Msgr. Pedrosa built a church and a convent in a barrio in Alabang, Muntinlupa, and set up an ecclesial community in the same place. At the Manila Cathedral, he undertook a similar effort to rally community concern and institutional involvement in the activities of the Church. In particular, he was able to tap the people at the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Bureau of the Treasury, the Department of Labor and Employment, and other nearby offices to participate in the liturgy at the Cathedral every noontime during weekdays. He organized the Basilica Ecclesial Community, which took charge of the readings during noontime masses.

During the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1981, it was Msgr. Pedrosa who was the Rector of the Manila Cathedral, which played host to the visiting Pontiff. He organized Junior Swiss Guards, who were 12-year-old boys wearing the Swiss guard uniform, to escort the Holy Father, much to the people’s appreciation.