# The Canonical Installation of Dennis Villarojo

The Canonical Installation of Dennis Villarojo took place on the 21 August 2019 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the Diocese of Malolos. The installation was presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila and Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia who was the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
The Eucharistic Celebration took place at the Malolos Cathedral with the attendance of the entire Malolos Clergy]and members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). These included then CBCP President, Archbishop of Davao Romulo Valles and former Malolos Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona

## Background

On 14 May 2019, exactly one year and three days after Oliveros' death, Villarojo was to be appointed as the new prelate of the Diocese, formally succeeding Oliveros. Villarojo was the first Bishop from the Archdiocese of Cebu to become bishop of Malolos.

## Eucharistic Celebration

On 21 August 2019, Villarojo arrived at the Diocese of Malolos to be installed as the Diocese's next prelate. He was accompanied by several clergymen of the Archdiocese of Cebu followed by Archbishop José S. Palma. Villarojo first paid a visit to the historical Barasoain Church where he was greeted by members of the Church's clergy including parish priest Dario V. Cabral. Moreover, Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado were among the politicians of the provincial government of Bulacan to great the incoming prelate. This was followed by a short blessing to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patroness of the Barasoain Church before the parade of Villarojo to the Malolos Cathedral.
Villarojo was accompanied by members of the Diocese of Malolos' clergy en route to the cathedral and was met by a line of students from the Immaculate Conception School for Boys stretching from the gates of the Barasoain Church to the main gate of the Malolos Cathedral. The parade continued despite the heavy rain. The ceremonial handover of the keys to the province was conducted and overseen by Vice Governor Daniel Fernando.
The opening of the Cathedral doors and the kissing of the cross–symbolizing the arrival of the new prelate of the diocese was overseen by the cathedral's Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Domingo M. Salonga and apostolic administrator Bishop Honesto Ongtioco. This was immediately followed by Villarojo's first blessing inside of the cathedral. Following the blessing, the march towards the cathedral's altar was conducted accompanied by Rev. Msgr. Pablo S. Legaspi Jr. Villarojo paid a solemn prayer in front of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the Diocese of Malolos and a subsequent prayer and visit to his predecessors that have passed away: Del Rosario, Almario and Oliveros whom were all buried underneath of the retablo at the crypt.
Following Villarojo's visit to the crypt, he returned to the altar and knelt before the Apostolic Nuncio of the Philippines, Gabriele Caccia and read the Rite of Canonical Installation beside then parish-priest chancellor Rev. Fr. Dennis Santos. This was immediately followed by the signing of the rite from both Caccia and Villarojo as the preparation for the Eucharistic Celebration commenced.
The entrance march began with the singing of "Laudate, Laudate Dominum", a composition by Christopher Walker. The reading of the apostolic letter signed by Pope Francis was conducted by Caccia and followed by the Filipino translation done by Rev. Fr. Santos. A silver crosier was then handed to Villarojo by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and he was seated by Tagle and Caccia to the Cathedra. This was followed by the giving of homage by members of the Diocese of Malolos' collective groups including the indigenous peoples of Bulacan, members of the government, business and private sectors, and of the clergy.
The blessing of the bread and blood of Christ was presided over by Ongtioco as the Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Tirona as the former prelate of the Diocese and Bishop Bartolome Santos as one of the clergymen from Malolos to be appointed Bishop.
The mass concluded with a Latin final blessing by Villarojo and the singing of "Psalm 100" commonly known as "Salmo 100" or "Umawit Kang Masaya" composed by Lucio San Pedro.