In May 2008, the Master of the Order of the Knights of Our Lady, Br. Jean Pierre Le Roy, had a capitular visit to General Santos City's Preceptory of Blessed Raymund Lull. On this occasion, we made a point to see a bit of the city's history with an interesting visit to the Gen. Paulino Santos Museum which is nestled at the main campus of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.
So interesting and opportune time that we met one of the surviving daughters of Gen. Paulino Santos, Isabel "Tita Bills" Santos and had an informal chat with her. I chanced to ask her about the late general's religiosity. She said that her father Paulino was a high-ranked freemason as most of the Philippine military officers. However, her mother Elisa was a religious woman and belonged to a group of Catholic women who was active in the Archdiocese of Manila.
When the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress was slated to be held in Manila the following year from 3 to 7 February 1937 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI (Achille Ratti), this event became the turning point of Gen. Santos.
Knowing fully well that her husband is a Mason, Elisa approached the Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Michael JO Doherty if she could receive the Holy Eucharist on this fateful event considering the indulgences attached to it but the benevolent prelate was kind enough to tell her that it would be impossible. "Mommy cried and told Daddy about her predicament", said Isabel. "Because of his immense love to Mommy, he decided to retract his membership from the Freemasonry", she further said. After much spiritual preparation, they both received the sacrament.
The congress was attended by approximately one and a half million people from all over the world, and included a religious procession of 600,000 people. Pontifical masses were held in Rizal Park, with hundreds of thousands of people attending
About Gen. Paulino Santos, Sr.
Paulino Torres Santos (June 22, 1890 – August 29, 1945) was a military officer who became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from May 6 to December 31, 1936. Upon his retirement, he served as a chief of the National Land Settlement Association under President Manurl L. Quezon.
With orders from Pres. Quezon, he led the first group of 200 migrants from Luzon and the Visayas who transformed the primeval Lagao area (now a bustling mega-community in the city) into a productive and progressive colony of six communities on Feb. 27, 1939.
Under his term, he established six settlements in South Cotabato namelyKoronadal, Banga, Tupi, Tampakan,Polomolok, and Rajah Buayan, .
Paulino and Elisa were blessed with seven children, namely: Rosa, Isabel, Lourdes, Elisa, Paulino Jr., Remegio and Jose.
About the Gen. Paulino Santos Museum
The museum contains the memorabilia of personal effects, clothing, shoes, diaries, letters to his family, persknal communication, pictures and articles published about General Paulino Santos. It is presently housed at the main campus of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.
References
Roman Archdiocese of Manila
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Manila
Michael JO Doherty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._O%27Doherty
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| General Santos City Museum |
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| Isabel Santos (November 13, 1922 - October 28, 2015) |
When the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress was slated to be held in Manila the following year from 3 to 7 February 1937 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XI (Achille Ratti), this event became the turning point of Gen. Santos.
Knowing fully well that her husband is a Mason, Elisa approached the Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Michael JO Doherty if she could receive the Holy Eucharist on this fateful event considering the indulgences attached to it but the benevolent prelate was kind enough to tell her that it would be impossible. "Mommy cried and told Daddy about her predicament", said Isabel. "Because of his immense love to Mommy, he decided to retract his membership from the Freemasonry", she further said. After much spiritual preparation, they both received the sacrament.
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| Manila Archbishop Michael JO Doherty |
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| Pontifical mass at Luneta Park during the 1937 International Eucharistic Congress |
The congress was attended by approximately one and a half million people from all over the world, and included a religious procession of 600,000 people. Pontifical masses were held in Rizal Park, with hundreds of thousands of people attending
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| General Santos Monument was unveiled in front of the city hall on September 1, 1981 |
About Gen. Paulino Santos, Sr.
Paulino Torres Santos (June 22, 1890 – August 29, 1945) was a military officer who became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from May 6 to December 31, 1936. Upon his retirement, he served as a chief of the National Land Settlement Association under President Manurl L. Quezon.
With orders from Pres. Quezon, he led the first group of 200 migrants from Luzon and the Visayas who transformed the primeval Lagao area (now a bustling mega-community in the city) into a productive and progressive colony of six communities on Feb. 27, 1939.
Under his term, he established six settlements in South Cotabato namelyKoronadal, Banga, Tupi, Tampakan,Polomolok, and Rajah Buayan, .
Paulino and Elisa were blessed with seven children, namely: Rosa, Isabel, Lourdes, Elisa, Paulino Jr., Remegio and Jose.
About the Gen. Paulino Santos Museum
The museum contains the memorabilia of personal effects, clothing, shoes, diaries, letters to his family, persknal communication, pictures and articles published about General Paulino Santos. It is presently housed at the main campus of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.
References
Roman Archdiocese of Manila
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Manila
Michael JO Doherty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._O%27Doherty
Philippine Army
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commanding_General_of_the_Philippine_Army
Photos are downloaded from the Internet and are used for non-commercial purposes
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