Calls to push for President Corazon "Cory" Aquino's candidacy for sainthood was once again revived Sunday during a Mass offered at the EDSA Shrine, a day before her 77th birth anniversary.

President Aquino's spiritual adviser and friend, Jesuit Fr. Catalino Arevalo, brought up the idea when he recounted during his homily the cases of Father Damien of Belguimand former President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania whose cases for canonization were hastened by the Vatican.

"It seems that the cases for beatification of these two have already been brought up. Perhaps if we pray that our country soon would have its second saint and Benedict XVI hastens the process, we would pray for Cory Aquino's name to be considered.

“But still, the decision is ultimately up to God," Arevalo said.

Calls to petition President Aquino for sainthood sprang after she died of colon cancer on August 1, 2009. Her being a very prayerful person, simple and very humble housewife-turned-politician encouraged some 250,000 people to join the eight-hour, 20-kilometer funeral procession for her four days later.

Although many believe that President Aquino lived a holy life, the petition to move for her candidacy should be made only three years after her death. The interval is set so as to let the surge of emotions of grief and longing subside before the canonization process should begin.

Any person or group can petition for canonization but President Aquino's must begin in her diocese, particularly the Diocese of Cubao where her parish, the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish along Daily Mirror St. in West Triangle, Quezon City, is located.

However, her son, presidential candidate and Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, said he would prefer that other people apart from their family would initiate the petition out of delicadeza.

"We shouldn't be the proponent (of the petition). Let others decide, let them initiate. That would be more appropriate," he told the media.

Normally, the canonization process would take at least five years because the petition must first be submitted from the Diocese and then studied by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The Vatican will then undertake a thorough and rigorous screening of a candidate's life. It also takes years to confirm that the candidate had indeed performed at least two documented miracles.

Only the Pope has the authority to waive this tradition like what Pope Benedict XVI did in the case of the late Pope John Paul II.

Aside from Senator Aquino, his sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Viel Aquino-Dee and their family attended the Mass at the EDSA Shrine. Absent were their siblings Pinky Aquino-Abellada and Kris Aquino-Yap who was reportedly still in Cebu after attending a Liberal Party sortie late last week.

The Aquino siblings are expected to be complete for a 10 a.m. Mass on Tuesday at their parents’ final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque, where Mrs. Aquino is entombed beside her husband, assassinated Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will lead Monday the unveiling of a monument for the late President.

The unveiling will be held at the corner of P. Burgos Drive and Roxas Boulevard in Ermita from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The monument will be installed in time for former President Aquino’s birth anniversary Monday, Jan. 25.

No roads will be closed, but motorists should expect heavy traffic in the area. Motorists were advised to take other roads, where possible, to avoid delays.

Lim, who personally shouldered the expenses for the monument, earlier went all the way to Cavite where the monument underwent finishing touches by famous sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, his son Nixxio, and his men. (With a report from Jeamma E. Sabate)