APUNG MAMACALULU Apung Mamacalulu is the Dead Christ who bestows mercy beyond the grave.

Also known as the STO. ENTIERRO, STO. SEPULCRO Apu- as He is fondly called by devotees has become a symbol of hope for people longing for a connection to the divine when all else has failed. Apung Mamacalulu is visited every FRIDAY either in joyful thanksgiving for an answered prayer or in fervent supplication for favorable response for a petition. (Petitions for good health, cure of sickness, work, going to abroad and the like) Why Friday? It is to commemorate the day when our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross. Friday is also the day of devotion for the Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila. 1829-1849 Fr. Macario Paras, then Parish Priest of Angeles causes the venerated image popularly known as APUNG MAMACALULU sculpted by a well-known sculptor named Buenaventura. February 1854- February 1865 It appears in the records of the Roman Catholic Church of Angeles that the image and its carriage were treated as a gift from Fr. Macario Paras. 1872 The image of Apung Mamacalulu is transferred to the Church. 1876-1904 The image of Apung Mamacalulu and its carriage were transferred to and fro from the heirs of Fr. Macario Paras after his death. 1905-1929 During this period, the devotion to the Apung Mamacalulu faced conflicts between Church authorities, the heirs of Fr. Macario Paras and the Union Angelina, an organization that helps in the various celebrations like Apu Fiesta and Lent. 1928 The Image of Apung Mamacalulu was taken forcibly by the heirs of Fr. Macario Paras and brought it to the camalig type structure standing on the property of Dr. Clemente Dayrit. 1929 Supreme Court ordered the defendants to return the image of Apung Mamacalulu back to the Church. 1930 Because of the conflict, this years Apu Fiesta, two images emerge, one at the Dayrits-owned camalig and the other at the Church. TWO IMAGES, ONE DEVOTION TO APUNG MAMACALULU ON THE LEFT SIDE PICTURE IS THE APU CHAPEL BUILT ON THE PROPERTY OF THE DAYRITS WHILE THE RIGHT SIDE PICTURE IS THE IMAGE OF APU COMMISSIONED BY THE DAYRITS WHICH IS ENSHRINED AT THE APU CHAPEL April 12, 1985 Then San Fernando Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD, ordered a PENAL PRECEPT banning the celebration of the mass, sacraments and other liturgical activities since the Chapel is not under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Church. 1985-2010 Devotees continue to flock to the Apu Chapel despite the penal precept to honor their panata (vows) to visit Apung Mamacalulu 1985-2010 On the other hand, APU gains popularity as the DIVISORIA of Pampanga owing to the Friday flea marked offering the best bargains in town. June 11, 2010 After 25 years, Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, DD, lifted the penal precept (ban) of the Apu Chapel thru the Circular letter 22A and designating Holy Rosary Parish as the temporary administrator of the Chapel. August 15 , 2010 After 25 years, three bishops Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, DD, Bishop Pablo David and Bishop Roberto Mallari and other clergy members concelebrated the mass after the lifting of the penal precept (ban) of the Apu Chapel. 2010

Various efforts were made to redeem some portions of the chapel by means of launching fundraising activities like raffle, golf tournament, metro cuadrado para kang Apu. March 23, 2012 This day marked the declaration of the APU Chapel in Lourdes Sur, Angeles City as the ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF CHRIST OUR LORD OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER. To date, there are fourteen (14) masses every FRIDAY to accommodate the growing number of devotees coming from Pampanga and different places. Reference: Apung Mamacalulu The Sto. Entierro of Angeles City (2011) Nina L.B. Tomen Editor Published by the Cura Sancti Rosarii, Inc. Angeles City PASSION OF CHRIST