LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER: Who's the Patron Saint of Catmon, Cebu?
With no profound understanding and enough rationale, I don't
know why the Fiesta Execom keep on using the name San Guillermo "De
AQUITANIA" as if they are certain of the story behind the name, they could
have used San Guillermo "De CATMON" as reflected in the commemorative
inscription made of concrete or special material conspicuously mounted to a big
stone in front of the Church (see attached pictures).
San Guillermo De Catmon or St. William of Catmon is nicer,
comfortable, and even more practical to hear. Aquitaine/Aquitania, Gellone, and
Malevalle are ancient names of places where San Guillermo is said to have
originated or died. “The Great” and or “The Hermit”, are titles given to a
person for his life’s achievements, works, and or dedications… a title befitted
to a person, just like a “Saint or Sainthood”, a person has to earned it
through a lot of sacrifices and even death. This is also another option… to use
“Saint William The Great” (San Guillermo Magno/El Grande) or “Saint William The
Hermit” (San Guillermo El Ermitaño ) as we have been calling Him ever since.
Below excerpt is taken from the book Balaanong Bahandi:
“Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu” which is the only reliable source
on the historical development of the parishes in the towns and cities of Cebu , as follows:
“The church of Saint William the Hermit (San Guillermo El Ermitaño)
in Catmon, Cebu was built in November 2, 1835
by the Augustinian-Recollects after Catmon became an independent parish from
Danao. The site where the church now stands was the third and final place
chosen by its founder…”
Take note of the word "Hermit" after Saint William
the, it connotes that our Patron Saint was a Hermit or Ermitanyo and breathe
his last on February 10, 1157... the reason WHY we celebrate on this day to
Honor San Guillermo and renew our faith.
St. William of Aquitania or
St. William of Gellone as the author of the story of his life written in the
Jubilee Year Book referred to was not a Hermit, but an Aristocrat… a person of
noble character. He was not a Hermit; He spent his life in a monastery and
remained a lay brother until his death in May 28, 812. His feast day is on May
28, the day he died.
The story of San Guillermo of Catmon in question began when
the first souvenir Fiesta program was released in the form of a Jubilee Year
Book. Everyone was in a haste collecting information and digging some buried
history of Catmon to be featured in said program. I was the Youth
Representative then in the Parish Pastoral Council being the President of the
Catmon Student Organiztion “CASO” which was very active at the time. I, too
have my piece in that program.
I wasn't interested in the story of our Patron Saint until a
year ago when I came across a website with conflicting views, and this catches
my attention… so the scooping goes. The more I dig the more it interests me. I
am not trying to be knowledgeable because I’m not… I am just hoping that
somebody out there with specifics and credibility would come out in open and
share his blessings. It is a blessing to have kept this wonderful story of our
Patron Saint and we will be so blessed if shared with us.
For more facts, please click below link:
Featured on February 8, 2014:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CatmonanonSabAko/permalink/615731558492965/?stream_ref=2
