Orare. Docere. Amare.

LITURGY CONFERENCE 2012

2012-02-24T21:11:00.001+08:00

TO: ALL LITURGY COMMISSION DIRECTORS, PARISH-WORSHIP COORDINATORS, LAY MINISTRY COORDINATORS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, SEMINARIANS AND PROFESSORS OF LITURGY

RE: LITURGY CONFERENCE 2012: VENERATION OF SAINTS

Dear Reverend Monsignori, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters:

Greetings in the Lord!

The veneration of the saints is an ancient ecclesial tradition that is rooted in the Scriptures (cf. Act 7, 54-60; Acts 6, 9-11; 7, 9-17). Through the cult of the saints, “the Church proclaims the achievement of the paschal mystery in the saints who have suffered and who have been glorified with Christ” (SC, 104). They are proposed to the faithful as examples of holiness and “exemplary testimony to genuine Christian life given by these illustrious disciples of the Lord” (DPPL, 208).

This year’s Liturgy Conference is devoted to the topic “Sacred Images…” which will be held on April 10-12 (Tuesday-Thursday) at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium. We are inviting you to participate in the said conference that would deal with the history, theology and pastoral aspects of the veneration of saints.

Registration fee is PhP 2’000.00 per participant inclusive of morning snacks, lunch and seminar materials. Kindly signify your participation by calling the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission (4043891) or sending an e-mail to liturgy_mla@yahoo.com.

We will appreciate very much if you could display the posters herewith for the information of your communities.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

(SIGNED)

FR. GENARO O. DIWA

Director

Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission

Archdiocese of Manila

Executive Secretary

Episcopal Commission Liturgy

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

See you at Don Bosco!

2012-02-24T12:02:00.000+08:00

By the grace of God, the organizers of Blessed John Paul II Catechetical and Youth Ministry Conference, which is held every year, invited me to be one of the speakers/facilitators of the Mini-Conferences. They gave me the topic: "The Word of God and the Saints" (VD 48-49), on May 17, 2012, 1:30-5:00PM.

Here's the description:

C 06 – THE WORD OF GOD AND THE SAINTS

Fra. Dave dela Cruz, CCS, leads the participants to consider how a balanced study of the saints includes the presentation of the lives of the saints in the light of the word of God. “The most profound interpretation of Scripture comes precisely from those who let themselves be shaped by the word of God through listening, reading, and assiduous meditation” (VD 48). With the guidance of the facilitator, the participants discuss how “holiness in the Church constitutes an interpretation of Sacred Scripture which cannot be overlooked” (VD 49).

Ash Wednesday

2012-02-20T21:08:00.000+08:00

The celebration of Ash Wednesday signals the start of our 40 day journey towards the mountain of Paschal Triduum[1]. Holy Mother Church invites her children to enter the door of sacrifice and penance through prayer, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving as a preparation for the days of making-present again the love of our Lord Jesus Christ which he has shown through his passion, death, and resurrection. Starting this day, the Gloria (unless it is a solemnity or feast) and the Alleluia will not be sung/said. Musical instruments will be silent (yet are allowed only to support the singing) and songs convey a more somber atmosphere.

Ash Wednesday is unknown in the Eastern Church, and developed only in the West. Ash Wednesday, as an official day of fast, dates back to at least the 8th century, since it appears in the Gregorian Sacramentary of that period. Originally, Ash Wednesday was the day when public penitents in Rome began their penance. Recall that in the early Church, penance was often public and protracted. It was only later that private confession and penance began, for pastoral reasons. When public penance gradually fell into disuse by the 8th century, Ash Wednesday became a day of penitence and fasting for all members of the Church. Today, Ash Wednesday is a universal Fast day in the Catholic Church.

"On the Wednesday before the First Sunday of Lent, the faithful receive the ashes, thus entering into the time established for the purification of their souls. This sign of penance, a traditionally biblical one, has been preserved among the Church's customs until the present day. It signifies the human condition of the sinner, who seeks to express his guilt before the Lord in an exterior manner, and by so doing express his interior conversion, led on by the confident hope that the Lord will be merciful. This same sign marks the beginning of the way of conversion, which is developed through the celebration of the sacrament of Penance during the days before Easter."[2]

The Mass starts with the sign of the cross and the priest may give an introduction to invite the faithful to enter the season with contrite heart. The Penitential Rite is omitted, because the imposition of the ashes will be its substitute. After the homily, the Rite of Imposition of Ashes follows. The blessing and imposition of ashes should take place either in the Mass or outside of the Mass. In the latter case it is to be part of a Liturgy of the Word and conclude with the prayer of the faithful.[3]

The question we need to deal with is on the requirement and manner of reception:

As what we have said before, the Season of Lent is a time of fasting and abstinence as a way of sacrifice. The law states clearly that the age for abstinence starts at 14 and fasting and abstinence are for those who are 18 years above. One reason why with this age is because of the full reception of a person in to Christian life - already completed and received the Sacraments of Initiation.

Who can receive ashes? Christians, baptized, confirmed, and partakers of the Body of Christ. But according to some, baptism is enough. Yes, it is true. But there must be a remedy for ignorance so that children, especially in toddler years, could receive ashes not because it is a “fashion-statement of the day” or simply for mere compliance. Catechesis is needed to let children, of catechetical age and parents may understand the significance of ashes in Christian life and spirituality of the season. A continuous Mystagogical Catechesis will surely be of help for such age, and even the elderly, to understand more the celebrations and spirit of the Lenten Season. Babies, who are baptized, may be exempted to avoid allergic reaction from the ashes.

The rubrics of the Sacramentary only say that the priest, after blessing the ashes, imposes it to the faithful. In some commentaries it is stated that the ashes are imposed in the forehead, putting some water in the ashes to make paste so that it could stay longer in one’s forehead.

In the Tridentine Missal, the rubrics gave its manner of imposition: First, for the priests and clerics, the ashes are given by putting it in their head (crown). The faithful follows and has an option to put also in the head or in their forehead (especially for those who are in tropical countries).[4] Observing what is being practiced in some countries especially in Rome, both the priest and the faithful receive ashes in their head either by sprinkling it or forming a cross in their head. In the Philippines, according to some, practice it by receiving it in their forehead (because it is part of the head, according to medical experts).

In my own opinion, following faithfully the Gospel, I think it will be nice to see, for those who would like to deepen their observance and make more meaning the celebration of Lent, to receive the ashes in their head (crown) without any distinction between priest and faithful. For in baptism, after we were reborn with the Water of Life, the priest anoints us with Chrism to show the dignity of our Christian life. As we grow older, that dignity is being stained by sin. I believe that the ashes, which have a rich penitential character, will be much more meaningful if it is imposed at the part of the head where we were anointed with the Chrism during Baptism: THE CROWN. The ashes will clean out the stain of sin and aid us in restoring our baptismal dignity. This also implies the words of the Lord that those who sacrifice in secret will be rewarded by our Father in heaven.[5]

Furthermore, the faithful are to be encouraged to participate in an ever more intense and fruitful way in the Lenten liturgy and in penitential celebrations.[6] It is through our active participation in the liturgy and other Lenten practices we can attain the graces which this season will confer to us especially the new life that Christ will bring in his resurrection.

________________________________________

[1] Cf. Paschales Solemnitatis, 6
[2] Ibid, 21.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Rubrics, Ash Wednesday. Saint Joseph Daily Missal.
[5] Matthew 6: 16-21.
[6] PS, 15.

February 22 Catechesis

2012-02-20T20:43:00.003+08:00

Today is Ash Wednesday – Feria Quarta Cinerum, the start of our40 days of preparation for the three-days of remembering and celebrating thePassion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ also known as The Paschal Triduum.

Scripturaland Historical Basis

Inthis Mass, we will witness the blessing of the ashes, which came from theburned old palms which was blessed last year’s Palm Sunday.

The ashes that will be imposed to our head (crown) is areminder that all of us came from dust and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19). As mortals, we are nothing.We became something because God gave us life and by making us his children bythe waters of Baptism. But due to sin, all of us experience death as consequence.Nevertheless our God is merciful, slow to anger and rich and compassion (Ps103:8). The ashes are reminders of our nothingness and to return to the verysource of our life: God. We may be ashes, but we are still children of God.

The second symbolism of the ashes is repentance. Duringthe early years of Christianity, those who were excommunicated or have gravelysinned underwent a season of penance and reconciliation. On this day, thepenitents bathe themselves with ashes, vest themselves with sackcloth, fast andabstain, and they stay outside the church to beg God’s mercy and the prayers ofthe faithful. On Holy Thursday, these penitents, after showing the sincererepentance and renewal, are welcomed back into the Church and, with thefaithful, celebrate with joy the Lord’s Paschal Mystery.

Today

Aswe heard in the second symbolism of ashes, let us not only focus on our humanmortality but trust in God’s mercy through repentance and belief in the Gospel.

The imposition of ashes in the head is not obligatory.Let us ask ourselves first: “Am I ready to repent? To change? To renew myselfand return to God my Father?” Repentance and renewal leads to holiness and joywith Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will die for us, to save us from sin, and willrise from the dead to accompany us to the Father.

Like Hosea’s wife, the Prodigal Son, the Penitents inhistory, we are invited to return to the Father by manifesting our sincerity toreceive these ashes.

Challenge

Repentance and renewal start with our observance of thediscipline of lent. Starting today, those who are ready to return sincerely tothe Father are invited to do the following:

- FrequentPrayer, especially meditation on the Passion of Our Lord like the Stations ofthe Cross.

- FrequentConfession and attendance in the daily Eucharist.

- Today, Ash Wednesday, and all Fridaysof Lent and Good Friday: those who are ready, or by virtue of Canon Law thosewho are 14 years old and above, must do abstinence. Meaning, abstaining fromeating meat or another food, even our vices. And for 16 years old and above, toobserve fasting, meaning eating one full meal in a day, while the other mealtime are intake of small number of food like only bread and water.

- To do Works of Mercy, or giving almsto the poor out of what is saved through fasting and abstinence.

The Chair ofSaint Peter

In the GeneralCalendar, for outside Lent, February 22 marks the feast of the Chair of SaintPeter, not the literal chair, but the day of remembering Saint Peter’s primacyover the Church also known as the parentalia(for the Roman, it is a day of remembering their ancestors).

Today,as we start our observance of Lent, it is fitting that one way of renewal andrepentance is to profess our fidelity and love to the Successor of Saint Peter,the Pope. In a special way, let us remember His Holiness Benedict XVI in ourprayers, and to pray to Jesus, who chose Simon Peter and the Head of the CatholicChurch, to help us be faithful to his Vicar here on earth.

LITURGY CONFERENCE 2012

2012-02-20T19:38:00.004+08:00

Ministry forLiturgical Affairs, Manila

Paul VI Instituteof Liturgy

LITURGYCONFERENCE 2012

Topic: THEVENERATION OF SACRED IMAGES

Dates: April10 (Tuesday) – 12 (Thursday), 2012

Venue: SanCarlos Major Seminary Auditorium, Makati City

Fee: PhP2,000.00 (inclusive handouts, lunch and snacks)

April 10

8:00 A.M. MorningPrayer

8:30 Welcome Address: Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, DD

9:00 History and Theology of Veneration of Sacred Images:
Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco,OSB

10:00 Break

10:30 Sacred Images in the Liturgy: Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB

11:30 Lunch Break

1:30P.M. OpenForum

2:30 The Cross: PrincipalSymbol of Christianity: Fr. Virgilio Hernandez

3:30 Representations of theHoly Trinity and the Angels: Mr. Carlos Evangelista

4:30 End of the Session

April 11

8:30A.M. MorningPrayer

9:00 The Christmas Crib:History, Doctrine, and Liturgical Use: Fr. Genaro O. Diwa

10:30 The Imagesof the Sto. Niño: History and Doctrine: Fr. Jacinto Rey Padua

1:30P.M. OpenForum

2:30 The Black Nazarene in theSpiritual Life of Filipinos: Msgr. Clemente Ignacio

3:30 The Santo Sepulcro andthe Image of the Risen Christ: Fr. Oliver Yalung

4:30 End of the Session

April 12

8:30A.M. MorningPrayer

9:00 Popular Marian Images inFilipino Spirituality: Dr. Josefina Manabat

10:00 PopularImages of Saints in Filipino Spirituality: Fr. Reginald Malicdem

11:00 EucharisticCelebration

For reservations,please call Ms. Susan Inoceno or Mr. Tonton Casado

or Mr. ArwinGregorio at (02) 404-3891,527-7631; fax inquiry at (02) 527-8983;
email us at liturgy_mla@yahoo.com; or mail at:

             Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission
             Arzobispado de Manila
             121Arzobispo St., Intramuros, Manila

Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis.

The New Ring of the Cardinals

2012-02-19T09:03:00.003+08:00

The back part ofthe ring represents a stylized column like those found in Saint Peter’s Basilica,while the face is a bas-relief in the shape of a cross.

On the face arefigures of Saints Peter and Paul, modelled on their statues located in front ofthe Basilica, representing faith and missionary proclamation.

Between the twoSaints, as if to illumine them, is placed an eight-pointed star, a clearreference to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Inside the ring,beneath the face, are the arms of Pope Benedict XVI in bas-relief.

The Consistory for the Votation for Canonization

2012-02-19T09:01:00.001+08:00

I. REQUEST FOR THE CAUSE OF CANONIZATION

Cardinal Angelo Amato, SDB:

These seven Blesseds, living amid the circumstances of theirtimes, bore witness to the extraordinary fruitfulness and perennial newness ofthe Gospel.

The People of God not only greatly admires their martyrdom ortheir resplendent virtues, but also invokes them in Christ before God aspowerful intercessors for divine assistance and heavenly graces and favours.Your Holiness recently ordered the Congregation for the Causes of Saints topromulgate the decrees concerning their miracles which are presently requiredby law, in order to proceed to their canonization.

Most Holy Father, I earnestly ask you, then, for the glory ofGod and the good of the whole Church, by your apostolic authority, to bestowupon the aforementioned Blesseds the honour of sainthood and, if it pleasesyou, to determine the dates when they will be solemnly enrolled among theSaints.

II. EVALUATION OF THE VOTES ON THE PROPOSED CANONIZATION

Pope Benedict XVI:

All that is required for Blessed

· Jacques Berthieu,

· Pedro Calungsod,

· Giovanni Battista Piamarta,

· María del Monte Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras,

· Marianne Cope,

· Kateri Tekakwitha and

· Anna Schäffer

to be enrolled among the Saints has been satisfactorilycompleted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, as we have learned fromits Prefect, Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Venerable Brothers, before celebrating this Consistory, you,too, individually submitted your judgment in writing and declared that thesesame Blesseds should be proposed to the whole Church as examples of Christianlife and holiness suited to the circumstances of our times.

III. Decision of the Roman Pontiff regardingthe day of canonization

Pope Benedict XVI:

Venerable Brothers, I greatly rejoice that you have consideredBlessed:

· Jacques Berthieu,

· Pedro Calungsod,

· Giovanni Battista Piamarta,

· María del Monte Carmelo Sallés

· y Barangueras,

· Marianne Cope,

· Kateri Tekakwitha and

· Anna Schäffer

worthy of being proposed for veneration by the whole Church.

Therefore, by the authority of Almighty God, the Apostles Peterand Paul, and our Own, we decree that Blessed:

· Jacques Berthieu,

· Pedro Calungsod,

· Giovanni Battista Piamarta,

· María del Monte Carmelo Sallés

· y Barangueras,

· Marianne Cope,

· Kateri Tekakwitha and

· Anna Schäffer

are to be enrolled among the Saints on the 21st day of the monthof October in the year two thousand and twelve.

Rite of Creating New Cardinals

2012-02-19T08:49:00.000+08:00

THE FORMULA IMPOSITION OF BIRETTA, GIVINGOF THE RING,

AND PRESENTATION OF THE APPOINTMENT TO ATITULAR CHURCH IN ROME

After watching the creation ofnew Cardinals, princes of the Roman Church, I saw the beauty in simplicity andthe importance and meaning of symbols. We can only understand the value ofthese symbols: the biretta, cardinal ring, and appointment as priest or deaconof a Church in Rome, if we will look at the formula used during the liturgy.We call this Mystagogical Catechesis.

Before, these were done in two days. The first day is the imposition of the biretta and presentation of the appointment to a titular Church, then on the second day, during the Eucharistic Celebration, the pope gives the ring of fidelity to the Cardinals. Now, with the new Rite of Creation of new Cardinals, the giving of symbols are done in one liturgical celebration, then on the next day will be the Eucharistic Celebration with the Pope.

Imposition of Biretta and Appointment to a Titular Church

THE BLOOD FROM CHARITY: MARTYRDOM FOR CHRIST AND THE CHURCH, THE PEOPLEOF GOD

The formula of the imposition of biretta:

Ad laudem omnipotens Dei atApostolicae Sedis ornamentum, accipte biretum rubrum, Cardinalatus dignitatisinsigne, per quod significatur usque ad sanguinis effusionem pro incrementochristinianae fidei, pace et quiete populi Dei, libertate et diffusione SanctaeRomanae Ecclesiae vos ipsos intrepidos exhibere debere.

The imposition of the red skullcap and biretta are done silently.

Giving of the Ring

FIDELITY TO THE CHURCH AND TO THE VICAR OF CHRIST

The formula in giving the ring:

Accipe anulum de manu Petri etnoveris dilectione Principis Apostolorum dilectionem tuam erga Ecclesiamroborari.

CLOSE COLLABORATION AND UNITY IN SERVICE WITH THE BISHOP OF ROME

The formula of appointment to a titular Church:

Ad honorem Dei omnipotentis etsanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, tibi committimus Titulum (vel Diaconiam) N.

In nomine Patri, et Filii, etSpiritus Sancti.

R. Amen.

February 19, 2012 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-02-19T08:07:00.002+08:00

“Nova Omnia Facio,” ang mgasalitang ito ay ipinakikita sa mga ginagawa ng ating Panginoon. Hindi niyainiisip kung anu man ang kinasanayan o kultura na pumipigil sa kabutihan,bagkus ang nasa isipan at puso n’ya ay mapaglingkuran at bigyan ng bagongpag-asa ang lahat ng lumalapit sa kanya.

Ngunit ang pinaka-maganda na ginagawa ng pagbabago ng atingPanginoon ay ang pagbabago sa ating mga sarili. Sa Salmong Tugunan, angpaghilom ng diwa at kaluluwa ang inuuna ng Panginoon dahil dito nagmumula angkapayapaan at kagalingan na kinakailangan ng ating pangangatawan. Ang inner peace, na kung tawagin, ay isangbiyaya ng kagalingan at pagbabago ng ating Panginoon.

Tayo ngayon ay naghahanda sa paglalakbay na tinatawagnating Kuwaresma. Sa linggong ito, hingin natin sa Panginoon ay biyaya ng isangpagbabago: pagbabago ng ugali, pagbabago sa puso, at, higit sa lahat, angbiyaya na maging instrumento ng pagbabago ng iba.

Life in a Parish: Youth Mass

2012-02-16T19:27:00.001+08:00

I was greatly inspired to write this reflection after Iread this article and excerpt from the statement made recently by the IndianCatechetical Association:

“Many young people complain about dull liturgicalpractices and preaching, the concluding statement observed. Therefore, youthcatechesis needs to help young people participate more fully in liturgicalcelebrations.” (Zenit News Agency, Rome, accessed 16 February 2012)

"The richness and uniqueness of the value of theliturgical celebrations are to be presented creatively and imaginatively, inline with the official teachings of the Church, to the vibrant minds ofyouth." (State of Indian Catechetical Association)

Here in the Philippines, if you want to see liturgicalabuses, go to a Youth Mass. There you'll see instruments that are discouragedfor use within the Church by the instruction Musicam Sacram, Liturgical Dances, Animations, etc. etc. etc. Whatdo we get? Empowered Youth Ministers but shallow spirituality. Am I right?

"It's fun!" that's the evaluating statementthat you must hear from the young people. If it is fun, it's ok! But does theword 'fun' measures the good formation and liturgical celebration that priests,youth ministries, and youth ministers prepare, celebrate, teach, and give?

When can I hear from them: "My life was changed,and, therefore, I want to serve more my Lord!" or "My life now is alife with Jesus!" or other similar words that assures the efficacy of formationprograms and liturgical celebrations. Or how about young people going to Massevery Sunday with sincerity, not talking to their other co-members or making itan excuse to their parents to go elsewhere? Or youth and their ministers go toConfession at least once a month and meeting with their spiritual directorsregularly? Or young people aware that if you have mortal sin you cannot receiveHoly Communion? Even more, knowing their priority: If you are a student, studyvery well, get high grades, and graduate! How many youth in our ecclesialcommunities have stopped studying? Or not getting a job to help themselves andtheir family. What formation do we give to them? They may be physically strong,but morally and spiritually weak.

Youth Ministry here in the Philippines may have succeededin the emotional, psychological, sociological, and physical formation of ouryoung people. But for youth to be spirituality rooted in Christ and in the Liturgyand Sacraments... well, maybe not. Where there are numerous "add-ons"and/or "special effects" in every Youth Mass and Liturgies, the valueof the Lex Orandi, Lex Credendidecreases. The Holy See is very clear that whatever is done outside liturgicalnorms and books are considered liturgical abuses. Therefore it is very dangerousto our faith (cf. Pope Benedict XVI’s Statement to the Neo-Catechumenal Way).Some Youth Ministers considered applying the way of prayer and spirituality ofother movements such as Taize, Neo-Catechumenal Way, Focolare, etc. How aboutconsidering a return to the root of all spirituality-the Sacred Liturgy: the Fons et Culmens (SC 10)of all Christianlife?

I believe that a good and solemn celebration, presided bythe priest, and participated well by young people, without any additions orsubtractions, and even multiplication, will produce a genuinely-enriched youthspirituality. Let the priest prepare his homily very well and explain brieflyand straight-to-the-point the message of the liturgical prayers and readings ofthe day. For the young ones, participate actively by listening well, respondingclearly in the acclamations, spending moments of silent prayer, focusing moreon the Sacred Celebration, and attending seriously and sincerely spiritualformations!

On this coming Year of Faith (October 2012-November 2013),why not our Youth Ministries consider returning to the real formation: BasicFaith Formation? Why not teach or refresh our young people with thefundamentals of Catholic Doctrine, Morals, and Worship that could lead them to amore renewed and enriched spiritual life? However, make sure that everything weteach to our young people must, again I quote, "in line with the officialteachings of the Church." The more they know their Christian faith well,they will, and we hope, live it through a dignified moral life, and treasure thisCatholic and Apostolic faith through a more worthy and solemn celebration ofthe Sacred Liturgy - check out World Youth Day Masses with Pope Benedict XVIand see the difference!

SMP ka ba?

2012-02-13T20:58:00.002+08:00

S.M.P. ka ba? "Samahan ang Malulungkot ang Pebrero?"

...kasi single or lonely? Kalokohan!

Tingin sa paligid, nandiyan ang kapwa!

Uwi sa bahay, nandiyan ang Pamilya!

Damhin sa puso, nandiyan ang Diyos!

May nagmamahal sa iyo, at may minamahal ka!

Love in New Evangelization

2012-02-13T11:20:00.001+08:00

I may be a “K.J.” to some, but the first reading fortoday, February 14, reminds us on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a correctway:

“Blessedis he who perseveres in temptation,

for when he hasbeen proven he will receive the crown of life

that hepromised to those who love him.”
(Jas. 1: 12-18)

Somethought that love is about “sexy time,” nope! That is false love! One priestsaid before: “February 14 is a day of temptation.” I can prove to that! How?Because since last week, I noticed that the media reminds everyone to usecondoms, contraceptives, to get a date so that you’ll not be lonely, etc.February 14 is a day of worldly love and pleasures!

Ifyou love someone, you need to respect him or her. Respect his or her body, for the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “whatever youdid for one of these least brothers (sisters) of mine, you did for me.” If you disrespect thebody of a person, because you entertain the temptation to do impurity, you didit to the Body of Christ! You did it to your God who created you, who saved you, who sanctified you.

Today, the culture of love is understood in a different way. But let usgo back to the real description, definition, or explanation what love is: Loveis God! “Love grows throughlove. Love is “divine” because it comes from God and unites us to God; throughthis unifying process it makes us a “we” which transcends our divisions andmakes us one, until in the end God is “all in all” (1 Cor 15:28)” (Deus Caritas Est, 18).

The best way toteach love is to love rightly in the spirit of Christ. Pope Benedict XVIinvites everyone to make ways to proclaim the Gospel by new means. Love canonly be taught if we love correctly, rightly, as Christ loves us. Each of usare called to be a missionary of love, a model of love, and a martyr for loveso that others may see in us the real love that the world cannot give, theseare the new means of evangelizing the Gospel of love.

“Today, the term“love” has become one of the most frequently used and misused of words, a wordto which we attach quite different meanings,” (DCE, 2) therefore, a new way of celebrating Valentine’s Day is by helping others to know and live in true love!

Life in a Parish: A Reality

2012-02-06T20:24:00.000+08:00

After some yearsof being out in a parish-based ministry many altar servers of our diocese andother dioceses, who are so in-love with the Church and the liturgy, are beinghalt by some people who do not like changes and doing what is right in accordwith the liturgical norms.

“I know what isright because I’m older.” Thisscratched and non-sense statement is the favorite of those people who, as theyfeel it, know what they’re doing. They “know” because they are “old” or theyalready grew roots in the sacristy or in the parish. This kind of competency willnot be honored especially for those who underwent formal formation oreducation. This statement is an escape to reality that some people (older oryounger) who are more credible will take over their position in the parish, andthat they will be set neglected.

"I came from thisparish and I want to serve and to help." Help or escape from cases or the past? Love your own parish, love whereyou were born or planted. Some who love to help other parish will only addproblems, which he is an expert, or make a new one and put an ad of “I know thisbecause I came from...” In the book “The Death of the Liturgist,” this case isnot helpful unless the one who presented help to the parish priest is aneducated or well-formed liturgical minister.

Why does parishpriests and other lay leaders are so in love with suspending or removing peoplewho are righteous? It can be envy or pride or maybe, financial matters, Isuppose? Firm principles in the liturgy and trust to competent people areessential for the growth of a parish.

If a parishcommunity has a way to make funds for constructions and other projects, why notinvest in formation or send someone to a formal education? It is not anexpense, it is an investment. Never hinder someone who volunteers to study tohelp. Never support someone who says he knows something by reading only books.Education is the best solution, and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgysupports that, even other Church norms and the Pope.

For those who areso in-love with the Church and the liturgy: Study! Saint Josemaria said: “Anhour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer.” “If you are toserve God with your mind, to study is a grave obligation for you.” “Study inearnest. If you are to be salt and light, you need knowledge, ability.” Don’tonly read books! You cannot assure its orthodoxy. “Books: don't buy themwithout advice from a Christian who is learned and prudent. It's so easy to buysomething useless or harmful. How often a man thinks he is carrying a bookunder his arm, and it turns out to be a load of rubbish!” Much more, study (especiallyin formal and orthodox institutes or school) with pastoral experience andon-going study and formation is a must for those who wish to serve well HolyMother Church.

To do what isright is a noble act. To believe someone who is right, because he knows it bystudy, that it is a holy act. To believe someone who do what is right accordingto the Church’s norms is an act of fidelity, and applying what is in the normsis orthodoxy.

February 2 - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

2012-02-01T11:26:00.000+08:00

Today, February 2, we celebrate the Feast of thePresentation of the Lord in the Temple.

Biblical Foundation

We can read the account of this mystery in the life ofOur Lord in the Gospel of Saint Luke (Chapter 2: 22-40). Forty days after thebirth of Our Lord, the Virgin Mother Mary and Saint Joseph brought the babyJesus into the Temple in obedience to the Law of Moses. It was likewise thetime for Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to undergo a ritual purificationafter giving birth to her first and only child (Leviticus 12; Exodus 13:12-15).

For Today

For us Christians, both in the Western and EasternChurches, we continue to remember this great event in the life of Our Lord inthe fourth joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary and as we gather here to celebratethe Most Holy Eucharist.

Today, we brought candles to be blessed. These candles,that will be lit, symbolize Christ, the light of the world, who shines forth ashe was presented to the Temple.

The light of Christ was seen most especially by the twoheralds of God: the Prophet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna, who waited for along the time for the coming of the Messiah. This was manifested when ProphetSimeon, while holding the baby Jesus, said (Luke 2: 26): “Lumen ad revelationemgentium” -A light for revelation to the Gentiles: Jesus is our light and ourlife.

As we gather today in this Eucharistic celebration, holdingour lighted candles, let us remember our own baptism when Christ, our light, shineson us the radiance of faith, hope, and love. These candles that we hold will be holy and must be given the duerespect when we return to our homes. Each candle will be a sacramental: asymbol of the presence of the sacred, that whenever darkness hover our homesand our lives, we light them so that the light of Christ will triumph.

A Day for Consecrated Life

Like Jesus, all of us were presented to the Church whenwe were baptized. It is the moment when our parents desired to consecrate ourlife to God that led us to the prime vocation of everyone: To be Holy.

The Vocation to Holiness is a call to everyone. Some werecalled to enrich this vocation through Holy Orders, through Religious andConsecrated life, and through Married life.

Today, coinciding with the Feast of the Lord’sPresentation and Consecration, we celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life,initiated by Blessed Pope John Paul II. In this Eucharistic Celebration, let usremember the Religious Men and Women and Consecrated Lay People who professedto follow Jesus: the obedient, chaste, and poor one, through the evangelicalcounsels or vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty. In a special way, let uspray for them that they may always have the strength from God to fulfill theirprofession and to continue spreading the love of Jesus by proclaiming the Wordof God in various nations and races.

Prayer

Before we start our Eucharistic Celebration, may weinvite everyone to please kneel and, together, with Our Holy Father PopeBenedict XVI, offer a simple prayer for all Religious and Consecrated Men andWomen:

O, Mary, Mother of the Church,
we entrust all consecrated people to you,
that you may obtain for them the fullness of divine light:
may they live in listening to the Word of God,
in the humility of following Jesus, your Son and our Lord,
in the acceptance of the visit of the Holy Spirit,
in the daily joy of the Magnificat,
so that the Church may be edified by the holy lives

of these sons and daughters of yours,
in the commandment of love. Amen.

January 29, 2012 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-28T18:50:00.002+08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters: do not be afraid to go in aspiritual warfare! Fight sin! Fight evil! Fight with the name of Jesus, thepowerful Lord and Master of our life! In our hearts, he lives! Never allow thedevil work in you! He is not your master! Avoid sin! Avoid evil!

But the question is: “How?” Listen to God’s voice, neverharden your hearts. Believe in him! Accept him as your God, your only true God.Jesus is your Lord! The Holy Spirit is your life! Our Lady is your Mother! TheSaints and Angels are your friends! Remove anxiety, it will never help. Go awaywith the seven capital sins! It will never make you happy.

My friends, let go of the worldly and evil pleasures! LetGod live in you and work in your life! If he reigns in your life, you will see that the greatest joyin the world is the joy the comes from the Master of All, God.

Feastday of the Angelic Doctor (January 28)

2012-01-28T09:54:00.000+08:00

"Follow the Norms of the Church"

2012-01-23T12:29:00.001+08:00

The Holy See approved the Neo-Catechumenal Way's form of celebrating Christian Initiation, which is different from the normal Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) celebrated by the Roman Church. But why only the Christian Initiation and not the way how they celebrate Mass? Well... Vatican officials gave wonderful statements to tell "The Way" and the whole world what the Eucharist and liturgy is. I quote two below:

"With respect to the celebrations of the Holy Mass and the other liturgies of the Church, follow the norms of the Church as indicated in the liturgical books – to do otherwise must be understood to be a liturgical abuse."

“But also during the way, it is important not to separate oneself from the parish community, and particularly in the celebration of the Eucharist which is the true place of universal unity, where the Lord embraces us in our various states of spiritual maturity and unites us in the one bread that makes us one body.” - Pope Benedict XVI

January 22, 2012 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-21T10:53:00.003+08:00

I love watching drama serials on television. Oneparticular serial is entitled “Ikaw ang Pag-ibig,” which, for me, is soinspiring and full of life lessons. But what touched me most is when the kidsreturn “Baby Raffa” to the belen of the Church that led to their conversion,especially the two kids who were influenced by evil. The Baby Jesus changedthem by his presence, miracles experienced, and adventures they had.

We just ended Christmas, the feasts of the Black Nazareneand of the Santo Niño.Filipinos love festivities very much. But what will happen next? Two choices:conversion or nothing.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to repent and believein the coming of the Kingdom of God. This is not for us to fear with judgment anddoomsday but an invitation to open our hearts to the reality that life on earthis not the ultimate end and joy of men. To choose conversion is choosing Jesus.Choosing Jesus is to live in joy, peace, and mercy of God.

May the Gospel today open our hearts to respond to thecall to conversion. If we wish to feel the presence and miracle of Jesus, go tothe Eucharist! If you wish to have an adventure with Jesus, live in him andstay with him. Life will be much better; life is best with Jesus!

Feast of the Holy Child (Philippines)

2012-01-15T11:35:00.001+08:00

"Jesus as a child, Jesus as an adolescent.

I love to picture you like this, Lord, because… I can dare more.

I love to see you as a tiny, almost helpless babe.

It makes me feel you need me."

-St. Josemaria Escriva

The Forge, 301

Proclamation of the Date of Easter 2012

2012-01-07T20:21:00.001+08:00

Know, dear Brothers and Sisters that,

as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord JesusChrist,

so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also

the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Saviour.

On the twenty-second day of February will fall AshWednesday,

and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lentenseason.

On the eight day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,

the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the twentieth day of May

will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the twenty-seventh day of May, the feast of Pentecost.

On the tenth day of June, the feast of

the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).

On the second day of December, the First Sunday of the Advent

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

*****

PROCLAMATION OF FEASTS - One of the special traditionsconnected with Epiphany was the publication on January 6 of the annual letterof the patriarch of Alexandria announcing the date of Easter for the currentyear (epistola festalis). The scholars of Alexandria were consideredmost competent to make the difficult computations and observations necessary todetermine this date, and thus the whole East followed their findings, whichwere sent to all churches by the patriarch. In the sixth century, the fourthCouncil of Orleans (541) ordered the same procedure in the West. During theMiddle Ages the dates of other movable feasts used to be added to the date ofEaster and be solemnly read to the people on Epiphany Day. This ancient customis still observed in some cathedrals as a traditional solemnity on January 6 atthe end of pontifical Mass.

January 8, 2012 - Epiphany of Our Lord

2012-01-07T14:04:00.000+08:00

DEARBROTHERS AND SISTERS: Today the Lord Jesus Christ manifested himself to allnations represented by the Magi; he is Emmanuel, God who is with us, fullydivine and fully human. As we gather here in the Holy Eucharist, he speaks tous, the Eternal Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. On this altar, hemanifests himself once again, the Bread of Angels who becomes the Bread of Man.Moreover, he is with us and he bestows peace to people of good will.

Aswe near to the conclusion of Christmas, we ask Our Lady's intercession, together with Saint Joseph, and the Saintly Magi that themercy and glory of God be manifested not only with our lips but in the lives welead. Hence, as a pilgrim Church, confirmed in faith and charity, we may sharethe blessed hope of God’s saving power.

The title "Saint"

2011-12-31T11:10:00.001+08:00

I received e-mails regarding a calendar where Blessed Pedro Calungsod, whose feast is on April 2, was already declared a "Saint." That is why when you buy this calendar they already made him a Saint. Well, for me, he is, but due to some comments let us do this little catechesis.

After a miracle had been attributed to a Blessed, the Postulator and Vice Postulators will prepare the official report and documents to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. After some time, by the grace of God, the Prefect of the Congregation will present the "alleged" miracle. The pope is the only person who can removed the word "allege" miracle attributed to the Blessed. At the end of the presentation (audience of the prefect to the pope), the pope needs to approve the miracle. The approval of the miracle means that the Blessed is in heaven and the proof is the miracle attributed through his intercession, and he is now nominated for Canonization.

The pope will now call for a Consistory of Cardinals wherein they will need to vote if the Blessed is worthy to be canonized. Each candidate will be presented to the Venerable Cardinals by the Cardinal-Prefect of the Causes for Saints, who reads to them the life and miracle of the Blessed. At the end, each candidate for Canonization must acquire a majority of votes from the Cardinals.

If the candidate for Canonization won the votes of the Cardinals, the pope, together with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, will announce (or notify) the Universal Church on the date of the Canonization of the Blessed Servants of God. (In the case of Blessed Pedro, his canonization will be on October 2012.)

At the Canonization ceremony, which is made (normally) during a Eucharistic Celebration, the pope will read after the presentation of the Cardinal-Prefect and Litany of the Saints the formula of Canonization:

(For example, let's use Blessed Josemaria Escriva, in singular case)

“For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the fostering of Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayers for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brethren in the Episcopate, we declare and define that Blessed Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer is a Saint and we enroll him among the Saints, decreeing that he is to be venerated in the whole Church as one of the Saints.”

Let's do a commentary on the formula:

“For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the fostering of Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayers for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brethren in the Episcopate (remember the Cause for Canonization and the Consistory of Cardinals? Yup, this formula tells the truth!), we declare and define (meaning the Church through its pastors) that Blessed Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer is a Saint (for the first time, the pope will use the title to the person) and we enroll him among the Saints (it means that he is now counted among them and is given the rights and privileges of being one), decreeing that he is to be venerated in the whole Church as one of the Saints (one of the the rights and privileges of a Saint is the Universal Veneration of the faithful). ”

At the end, the pope will put the decree in to permanency by making the Sign of the Cross, a very meaningful act that the Canonization of the Saints is not only made by the Church for her good but for the glory of the Holy Trinity. Canonization is a way of glorifying God, glorifying God in his angels and his saints.

The relics are now being brought into procession and enshrine in the sanctuary. The placing of the relics and the tapestry in the Saint Peter's balcony, where the image of the newly Canonized saint/s (though already unveiled), are "signals" for Universal Veneration.

From Msgr. PE Hallet:

Benedict XIV enumerates seven acts as constituting thisofficial cultus.

(1). All Christians are commanded to regard them as, and callthem, saints.

(2). They are invoked in the public prayers of the Church, and itis forbidden any longer to pray them.

(3). Churches and altars maybe dedicated to God in their honour.

(4). Mass is offered and Divine Officerecited in their honour, and though this Mass may not be prescribed for theuniversal Church, but only for one or more dioceses, yet it may be said, as avotive Mass, anywhere throughout the Church.

(5). Feast days are assigned tothem.

(6). Their images are depicted with the aureole or other attributes ofsanctity.

(7). Their relics are publicly honoured.

Canonization is the final and irreformable judgment of the Church, andtherefore we are bound, as her dutiful children, to believe that saints dulycanonized are in heaven. Beatification, on the contrary, is not a decree forthe whole Church, but rather of the nature of a local tolerance, and thereforewe are not bound to believe that the beatified are in heaven, although we shouldbe extremely rash not to do so, especially where they have been formallybeatified by the Church, and not merely allowed to retain an immemorial cultus.

Welcome Message in Davao

2011-12-28T13:11:00.000+08:00

(Delivered during the arrival of the relics of Blessed John Paul II. John Paul II College of Davao, December 18, 2011.)

Mamakpak kitang mga nahigugma sa Diyos!

Bisag kigapoy tang gahulat, atong kasingkasing para kay Hesus dili malaayan kay naa kitay inspirasyon si Pope John Paul II.

Gihigugma kamo ni Pope John Paul II, gihigugma kita ni Pope John Paul II.

Nagalantaw siya kanato sa kalangitan, para mangamuyo para sa katawhan. Pope John Paul II niya imong mga deboto, nangamuyo nga imo kaming ipangadye. Pangadye e kami ug tudloi kami mga ihatag among tibuok nga kasingkasing, panghunahun a ug kalag para regalo kang Hesus sa iyang adlaw nga natawhan. Daghang salamat sa pagduaw nimo sa Davao.

Christmas... What can I give?

2011-12-27T20:30:00.001+08:00

“What can I give to the king?” The best gift we can giveto our king is a good liturgical celebration. To have this good liturgy we mustbe humble in following the norms. Saint Josemaria said: “We will never havegenuine joy if we do not really try to imitate Jesus. Like him we must behumble.” Christmas is a season to reflect on the mystery of God becoming Man, “do you seewhere God's greatness is hidden? In a manger, in swaddling clothes, in astable.” The mystery is humility! The holy humility that leads to our salvation!

The same we must do, give the best liturgy to manifests the sacredmysteries, the mystery of God's humble desire to become Man so that the God-Man may save men. “To remind a Christian that his life is meaningless unless he obeysGod's will does not mean separating him from other men,” follow the liturgicalnorms - for it is a way of humility - you follow God. Many people will not understand you, even your parishpriest, but this is our job, our ministry, our life. We cannot cheat of one’sbirthday, we must be honest and true. Therefore, I again invite you: the bestgift we can give to our king on his birthday is none other than a goodliturgical celebration. The fruits of good liturgical celebration are genuine act of Humility and of Christian Charity...

December 18, 2011 - 4th Sunday of Advent

2011-12-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

HistoricalDevelopment

Notes from Fr. A.J. Chupungco, OSB

Adventus (Greek parousia): in the language ofpagan worship it signified the yearly visit of the gods to their respectivetemples in order to sojourn with their worshipers. Adventus was accompanied by a festival in honor of the deities.

Inearly Christian usage, including the liturgy (cf. Gregorian-HadrianSacramentary): Advent was understood as the coming of the Son of God in humanflesh at the incarnation as well as his return in glory at the end oftime. By his incarnation the Son of Godsojourned with us: Et Verbum caro factumest, et habitavit in nobis (And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongus. John 1:14). At his ascension he has returned to the Father, but he left apromise to return: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, willcome in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Accordingto the General Norms for the Liturgical year and Calendar (no. 39):“Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas whenChrist’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrancedirects the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyfulexpectation [of the two comings of Christ]”.

Inthe 4^th-century Gaul and Spain: the Advent Season consistedof three weeks in preparation for the feast of the Epiphany on January 6. In 6^th-century Rome the season of Advent consisted of sixweeks (later reduced by Pope Gregory I to four weeks). Note that in the 6^thcentury the season of Advent was not yet connected with the feast of Christmasand hence was not regarded as a preparation for Christmas but for the secondcoming at the end of time.

Inthe 9^th century Romeadopted the Gallican and Spanish practice. This meant:

a. The Roman Advent became also a season to prepare forChristmas, just as Lent prepared for Easter.

b. The season of Advent began to be markedwith ascetical and penitential elements like fasting and almsgiving. Thisexplains why the liturgical color of Advent is violet like that of Lent,moderate use of ornamentations, no musical instruments except to accompany thesinging, and no Gloria. Rose is used on the third Sunday called “Gaudete” (thefirst word of the Entrance Antiphon for this Sunday) in imitation of the fourthSunday for Lent called “Laetare”.

c. Note however that Advent retains ajoyful character (in spite of the seemingly Lenten expressions) by the use ofAlleluia and joyful melodies. Gregorian chant has some wonderfully joyful andmusically dramatic antiphons at this season. 17th –19th century Advent songsare joyful like: O come, o come Emmanuel, On Jordan’s Bank, O come, Divine Messiah.Some liturgists recommend the use of violet with bluer hues.

John Paul II in Davao

2011-12-13T17:39:00.003+08:00

December 11, 2011 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

2011-12-09T09:32:00.001+08:00

SimbangGabi

SimbangGabi, Misa de Gallo, Aguinaldo Masses, whatever you want it to be called, thisnine mornings starting from December 16 to 24 is a “Filipino style” preparationfor the coming of the Lord.

TheSimbang Gabi, according to the Philippine Ordo, is described as: Masses inhonor of the Blessed Virgin Mary DURING ADVENT (Missa Rorate Caeli).

Inthe spirit of the season one may lawfully use in these Masses the weekdaylectionary, The Gloria is sung in these Masses and white vestment is used evenon Sunday.

Clarifications

1. TheSimbang Gabi is a Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary DURING ADVENT.Therefore, prayers must be taken from the common of Our Lady in Advent and notthe prayers for the advent weekday.

2.By way ofexception from the sober character of the Advent liturgy, the said Masses arefestive (white vestments, singing of the Gloria, festive ornamentation). But,Christmas Songs must be limited: it can be sung at the recessional and musthave a Christian message, excluding commercialized Christmas songs or carolsseen on television.

PastoralSuggestions:

1. Tohave a more meaningful celebration, High Masses must be limited to showprogressive solemnity. This is a way that people may have a more joyful andsolemn celebration on Christmas.

2. Faithfulto the prayers and readings will help the faithful to distinct the spirit ofadvent with the theme and tradition of Simbang Gabi. Let it be cleared that theMass is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

3. BecauseSimbang Gabi falls on December 17-24, the “O” Antiphons must be instilled inthe Liturgy of the Hours, and, if possible, to the Eucharistic Celebration (asverses for Gospel Acclamation. See Lectionary).

December 8, 2011 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

2011-12-07T19:35:00.001+08:00

"Mary Immaculate, Star of the Morning."

This first line of the song "Mary Immaculate" is one of my favorite statement or, should I say, ejaculation to Our Lady. It is true! Our Lady is the Star of the Morning!

Darkness comes to our life. My life was filled with darkness. As I contemplate on the goodness of God on my life, Mary is always there as the star of my morning. She is always there to light up my darkness. She holds Jesus up-high to be the light, the source of light of her star.

Everyday, I ask Our Lady, "Shine! Shine! Shine my morning star!" And she does! She always shine, because she is a Mother. Mother's knows best!

To place Mary, Our Lady and Mother, as the star of our light, it takes great confidence to Our Lady and faith to God. Trust our Mother, she will never confound us! She won't! Trust me!

O my Morning Star, how beautiful you are!
You guard my night as a mother guard her child.
Star who awaits the Sun of the new day,
Lead me to Jesus my life, truth, and only way.

Happy Anniversay, SC!

2011-12-04T06:45:00.001+08:00

Today, December 4, 2011, is the 48th anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy - Sacrosanctum Concilium.

December 4, 2011 - Second Sunday of Advent

2011-12-03T08:59:00.001+08:00

Spirit of Advent

Thegospel for the 2^nd Sunday of Advent is an invitation for all of us:

"Prepare the way ofthe Lord, make straight hispaths." (Mark 1:1-8)

Advent has two liturgical spirit: first, Preparation throughreconciliation. This theme is highlighted in the gospels of 2^nd and3^rd Sunday of Advent. This is the reason why parishes hold CommunalPenitential Services with Individual Confession and Absolution or Kumpisalang Bayanto prepare our mind, body, and soul – in the state of grace - to celebrate withjoy the birthday of our Lord and to receive Christ judgment with love andhumility.

Then,on the 17^th of December until the 24^th, including the 4^thSunday of Advent give the second liturgical spirit of the season, JoyfulExpectation. With the Advent characters: Our Lady, Saint Joseph, and the parents of John theBaptist we join them in their joyful expectation for the coming of Our Lord: weremember, we celebrate, and we expect.

Toremember the birthday of Jesus is a way for us to imitate the characters of Advent.How well did they prepare for the coming of the Lord?

Answer:Our Lady’s virtues, Saint Joseph’sfatherly stand, and the humility and silence of Zechariah and Elizabeth are ourways to prepare for the Lord – to makeChrist the center of our lives and reason of our joy.

November 27, 2011 - First Sunday of Advent

2011-12-03T08:55:00.001+08:00

(For this year, allow me to present to you little by little the Catechesis I made for the Season of Advent)

Introduction

September1 in the

Philippines

is the start of Christmas. Malls set-up their Christmas decors, radios playChristmas songs, houses are getting ready for the season with their Christmastree and lanterns, and, much more, people are counting days for the greatseason. Is this just? Is this correct?

Filipinosare Christmas people. We already got the identity as the country that has thelongest celebration of Christmas. Because of the spirit that marks ouridentity, the Season of Advent is just a dot for our calendars, and, even,others have no idea what Advent is all about.

Thispaper intends to relive the spirit of Christmas, a spirit that is faithful tothe Church and to the Roman Rite, but with a touch of being Filipino. How mustwe understand Advent and Christmas in the context of our culture withoutsetting aside our Roman Catholicism?

The Theology ofAdvent and Christmas

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the timewill come.” (Mark 13: 33)

Thisstatement from the Gospel of St. Mark, which we read last first Sunday ofAdvent, manifest to us two meanings what is Advent all about: (1) a time to bewatchful, a time to be alert, and (2) the time of the Lord’s return will come.

Thefirst, “a time to be watchful, a time to be alert,” summoned the gospels of 32^nd,33^rd and of Christ the King Sunday. We need to be prepared becausesomeone will come. Advent is a time of preparation.

Second,“the time of the Lord’s return will come,” is what we need to prepare for. Weneed to prepare for two comings: the anniversary of the first coming of Jesuson earth, which we celebrate during Christmas, and his second coming, the parousia which we need prepare now.

“Prepare for his coming!” this is what advent is all about.

Christ the King Sunday

2011-11-20T20:28:00.001+08:00

The love of Christ the King is a love of humility. Every time we receive Christ's body, it is the most visible manifestation of the humility of our King: letting his glorious self be the bread, and be consumed by his people. We are very blessed that Jesus, our King, is now reigning in us as we eat his body in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Invitation

2011-11-19T22:59:00.001+08:00

Christ the King (St. Josemaria Escriva)

2011-11-19T22:06:00.001+08:00

When he does his work, a Christian is obliged not to side-step or play down the values that earthly things have in themselves. If the expression "bless all human activities" meant abusing or neglecting their intrinsic qualities I would never use such a phrase. Personally I have never been convinced that the ordinary activities of men should carry a placard or confessional label. Although I respect the opposite opinion, I feel that using such a label involves a risk of using the holy name of our faith in vain. And there is evidence of the label "catholic" being used to justify activities and behaviour which sometimes are not even decently human.

The world and all that it contains, except for sin, is good because it is made by God our Lord. Therefore, a Christian who fights continuously to avoid offending God — fighting in a positive way, out of love — has to devote himself to all earthly tasks, shoulder to shoulder with other citizens. He must defend all the values which derive from human dignity.

But there is one value which he must particularly cherish: personal freedom. Only if he defends the individual freedom of others — with the personal responsibility that must go with it — only then can he defend his own with human and christian integrity. I will keep on repeating that our Lord has gratuitously given us a great supernatural gift, divine grace, and another wonderful human gift, personal freedom. To avoid this degenerating into license, we must develop integrity, we must make a real effort to conform our behaviour to divine law, for where the Spirit is, there you find freedom.

The kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of freedom. In it the only slaves are those who freely bind themselves, out of love of God. What a blessed slavery of love, that sets us free! Without freedom, we cannot respond to grace. Without freedom, we cannot give ourselves freely to our Lord, for the most supernatural of reasons, because we want to.

Some of you listening to me have known me for a long time. You can bear out that I have spent my whole life preaching personal freedom, with personal responsibility. I have sought freedom throughout the world and I'm still looking for it, just like Diogenes trying to find an honest man. And every day I love it more. Of all the things on earth, I love it most. It is a treasure which we do not appreciate nearly enough.

When I talk about personal freedom, I am not using it as an excuse to discuss other very legitimate questions which are not of my competence as a priest. I know that it is not proper for me to discuss secular and current topics which belong to the temporal and civil sphere — subjects which our Lord has left to the free and calm discussion of men. I also know that a priest's lips must avoid all human, partisan controversy. He has to open them only to lead souls to God, to his saving doctrine and to the sacraments which Jesus Christ established, to the interior life which brings us closer to God, so that we see we are his children and therefore brothers to all men without exception.

We are celebrating today the feast of Christ the king. And I do not go outside my role as a priest when I say that if anyone saw Christ's kingdom in terms of a political program he would not have understood the supernatural purpose of the faith, and he would risk burdening consciences with weights which have nothing to do with Jesus, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Let us really love all men; let us love Christ above all; and then we cannot avoid loving the rightful freedom of others, living in harmony with them.

(Christ is Passing By, 184)

November 20, 2011 - Christ the King Sunday

2011-11-19T18:00:00.000+08:00

Sa gitna ng ating karupukan, kahinaan, at kasalanan, Siya pa ang may lakas-loob na tawagin tayo sa ating pangalan at mahalin upang madama natin na siya ang Hari ng pagkatao at puso natin.

Sa lahat ng Hari, siya ang hindi nang-uutos, bagkus siya pa nga ang ating inuutusan sa ating mga kahilingan. Ngunit hindi niya ipinagkakaila ang kanyang tulong dahil sa pagmamahal niya sa atin.

Walang makakatalo sa Hari dahil siya pa ang nagnais na mamatay para sa kanyang sambayanan upang maligtas tayo sa kasalanan at kamatayan. Hindi niya ininda ang sakit at hirap, dusa at kamatayan dahil ang pag-ibig niya ay wagas at walang hanggan.

'Yan ang ating Hari, si Hesus ang Hari ng puso ng bawat tao. Ngunit bakit minsan ang tao ang naghahari sa kanyang sarili at sa iba? Hindi pa ba sapat na ipinakita ni Hesus na siya ang tunay na hari ng lahat sa sanlibutan? Ano pa ba ang kulang upang maako niya ang tanan?

Wala siyang pagkukulang, dahil sa katotohanan, tayo ang nagkulang. Nagkulang tayo sa pagkilala natin sa kanya, sa pagmamahal sa kanya, at sa pagtanggap na siya ang Hari ng puso at pagkatao natin. Hayaan natin mabuksan ang ating mga puso at isipin upang matanggap natin na si Hesus nga ang tunay na hari ng lahat.

Hesus, aming hari, maghari ka sa aming puso at sa puso ng bawat tao. Amen.

November 13, 2011 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-11T21:50:00.001+08:00

Husband and Wife, a very nice metaphor of the love between Christ and his Church (in the Old Testament readings). Though the Gospel today speaks of how must an individual Christian lives, the readings intend to show it in a general way.

The Parable of the Talents is how each one of us, who possesses different skills and talents, must use it for the greater glory of God and the sanctification of his people. We do not own one, it is a gift from the source of all that is good.

To have gifts from God is meant to be shared. The greatest gift is our life. How do you share it?

The Church is the best example of a faithful wife who shares everything she has which came from his husband, and a fruit of her husband's labor. She opens everything that we may suck fully from her breast that we may be fully strengthened and matured to serve others. We need to learn from her and to imitate her who is all good, loving, and caring.

As Christ prepares us for his glorious coming, which is symbolizes on the end of the liturgical year, it is the right time for us to check ourselves: Have I used my talents, especially my life, properly? Have I been a good child to my Mother, who shares what is good, love those who are unloved, and cared for those who are in need of a "Godly" caress?

We already sucked fully from our Mother's breast, we suck continuously from her, therefore we are strengthened and matured continuously. Now, did we used rightly and properly the teachings of Our Mother which came from her husband - Jesus - and lived it to the very best we can?

November 6, 2011 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary

2011-11-04T15:13:00.000+08:00

"Be ready. Be prepared!" I love telling my students those words. As if it is the last day of the world for them. They don't know if the next day I'll be giving them a quiz or an exam. I love surprises! But this strategy is out of love: that my students will always study and get high grades. They need to learn, study, and apply what they'd learned.

The same with the second coming of Jesus, like the 5 virgins who are wise - they were saved! The 5 foolish virgins - well, they were condemned.

Wisdom is what we need. Wisdom for me is knowledge about God and our faith lived, applied, and shared. We need Wisdom not only knowledge. We need to know the 'why' and not only the 'how' or 'what.' We do really need Wisdom, for it is Christ himself who is the Incarnated Wisdom (cf. Saint LG Montfort, The Love for Eternal Wisdom). To acquire wisdom is to have Christ!

Be ready: Study our faith, live our faith, apply our faith, and share it to others. - Pray for Wisdom! These are strategies to welcome wisely the coming of Christ, the Eternal and Incarnated Divine Wisdom in our lives.

Feast of Holy Relics

2011-11-03T08:57:00.001+08:00

THE FEAST OF HOLY RELICS

November 5

by Dom Prosper Gueranger, OSB

Death prepares us for heaven

Had we angels' eyes, we shouldsee the earth as a vast field sown with seed for the resurrection. The death ofAbel opened the first furrow, and, ever since, the sowing has gone onunceasingly the wide world over. This land of labour and of suffering, whattreasures it already holds laid up in its bosom! And what a harvest for heaven,when the Sun of justice, suddenly darting forth His rays, shall cause to springup as suddenly from the soil the elect ears ripe for glory! No wonder that theChurch herself blesses and superintends the laying of the precious grain in theearth.

The Glory of the Saints

But the Church is not contentto be always sowing. Sometimes, as though impatient of delay, she raises fromthe ground the chosen seed she had sown therein. Her infallible discernmentpreserves her from error; and, disengaging from the soil the immortal germ, sheforestalls the glory of the future. She encloses the treasure in gold orprecious stuffs, carries it in triumph, invites the multitudes to come andreverence it; or she raises new temples to the name of the blessed ones, andassigns him the highest honour of reposing under the altar, whereon she offersto God the tremendous Sacrifice.

'Let your charity understand,'explains St. Augustine (DiscorsoCCCXVIII su santo Stefano, V): 'it is not to Stephen we raise an altarin this place; but of Stephen's relics we make an altar to God. God loves thesealtars; and if you ask the reason: "Precious in the sight of the Lord isthe death of His saints" (Psalm 115: 15). In obedience to God theinvisible soul has quitted its visible dwelling. But God preserves thisdwelling; He is glorified by the honour we pay to this lifeless flesh; and,clothing it with the might of His divinity, He gives it the power of workingmiracles' (Discorso CCLXXV su sanVincenzo, martire, II). Hence the origin of pilgrimages to the shrinesof the saints.

'Christian people,' says St.Gregory of Nyssa, 'wherefore are you assembled here? A tomb has no attractions;nay, the sight of its contents inspires horror. Yet, see what eagerness toapproach this sepulchre! So great an object of desire is it, that a littlepiece of dust from around it is esteemed a gift of great price. As to beholdingthe remains it conceals, that is a rare favour and a enviable one, as those cantestify who enjoy the privilege: they embrace the holy body as though it wereyet alive, they press their lips and their eyes upon it, shedding tears of loveand devotion. What emperor ever received such honor? (Su san Teodoro Martire).

'Emperors!' rejoins St. JohnChrysostom; 'as the porters at their gates, such have they become with regardto poor fishermen. The son of the great Constantine deemed he could not pay ahigher honour to his father, than to procure him a place of sepulture in theporch of the fisherman of Galilee.' (Comm.della Seconda ai Cor. Om. XXVI). And again, concluding his commentary onSt. Paul's admirable Epistle to the Romans, the golden-mouthed Doctor exclaims:'And now, who will grant me to prostrate myself at Paul's sepulchre, tocontemplate the ashes of that body which, suffering for us, filled up what waswanting in the sufferings of Christ? The dust of that mouth which spoke boldlybefore kings, and, showing what Paul was, revealed the Lord of Paul? The dustof that heart, truly the heart of the world, more lofty than the heavens, morevast than the universe, as much the heart of Christ as of Paul, and whereinmight be read the book of grace graven by the Holy Spirit? Oh! that I might seethe remains of the hands which wrote those Epistles; of those eyes which werestruck with blindness and recovered their sight for our salvation; of the feetwhich traversed the whole earth! Yes: I would fain contemplate the tomb whererepose these instruments of justice and of light, these members of Christ, thistemple of the Holy Ghost. O venerable body, which, together with that of Peter,protects Rome more securely than all ramparts!' (Omelia XXXII)

Church’s teaching on relics

The Council of Trent onrelics: "Veneration ought to be shown by the faithful to the bodies of themartyrs and other saints, who live with Jesus Christ. For they were His livingmembers and the temples of the Holy Ghost; He will raise them up again toeternal life and glory; and through them God grants many blessings to mankind."

"Considering the unequal distribution of relics throughout theworld, Rome has not fixed one universal feast for the essentially local cultusof these precious remains. She leaves the particular churches free to consulttheir own convenience (Concilio di Nicea II, c. VII), reserving it to herself to bless andsanction the choice of each." (Concilio di Trento, Sess. XXV)

A Tribute to The “Beloved Pope of the Filipinos”

2011-10-31T21:58:00.001+08:00

The RomanCatholic Diocese of Cubao was erected on 28 August 2003 during the pontificate of PopeJohn Paul II. Cubao is one of the new suffragan dioceses that was created out fromthe Archdiocese of Manila. Thanks to the pontiff, the new dioceses became aliving sign of a living Church founded by Christ entrusted to apostles.

Because ofsuch great act of the pontiff, John Paul II will be remembered as the pope whowas used by our Lord Jesus Christ to create the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao-our diocese, our local church!

After thebeatification of Pope John Paul II by our present pope, His Holiness BenedictXVI, many Filipinos were touched because of his great love for the Philippines.Blessed John Paul II or BJP2 visited us twice, first in 1981, for his pastoralvisit, and in 1995 for the World Youth Day in Manila. Let us remember that we still holdthe record of the largest attendance among World Youth Days.

October 22 isthe feastday in the liturgical calendar of BJP2. Though normally a feastday isplaced on the date of death on earth, which is the Dies Natalis or birthday of a person in heaven, Pope Benedict XVIpromulgated that BJP2 be celebrated on the day when the blessed pontiff wasinaugurated as the 264th successor of Saint Peter.

Though the feastday celebration in the liturgy of a Blessed is reserved for a local Church- forBlessed John Paul II in Polandand Rome only-,the Philippinescannot stop herself from honoring the “Beloved Pope of the Filipinos.”

The Diocese ofCubao, in celebration of the first liturgical feast day of BJPII, after hisbeatification last May 1, 2011, teamed-up with Araneta Center to hold anExhibit, a Concert, and a Mass.

BEATUS: Embracing the Holiness of Blessed John PaulII

Last October9, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao blessed and opened the first major photoexhibit and relic exposition and veneration of Blessed John Paul II at GatewayMall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. The exhibit was entitled “Beatus”. A SolemnEucharist started the event followed by the blessing and opening of theexhibit.

BishopOngtioco said during the introduction of the blessing that this exhibit is bothcatechetical and inspirational: Catechetical because it presents quotes and teachingsfrom BJP2 on different occasions and topics like the Youth, Media, Holiness,etc; likewise, it is inspirational due to the living presence of Blessed JohnPaul II in the area through his relics.

The team forthe exhibit, composed of priests (visual artist Fr. Emmanuel “Pong” Del Rosarioand Cubao Chancellor Fr. Frederick Edward “Jojo” Simon), and laypeople (GracitaDumlao, Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz, John Jeffrey Velasco, and Julius Furagganan) didwell to sum-up all the important details conveying the legacy of BJP2. One ofthe most favorite quotes of the visitors was: “The Lord issaying to you: the greatest gift you can make to the Church and to the world isholiness.”(Homily, September 5, 2004)

With the photos are exposition of themajor relics of BJP2 such as his blood, zucchetto (skullcap), piece of hiscassock, corporal he used, pectoral cross and ring given to Bishop Ongtioco,chair and chasuble from San Carlos Seminary which the Blessed Pontiff usedduring his visit last 1995, and many more. People really felt his presence andmany were touched to see the Pope through his relics as a person who is near toChrist in heaven. His life, legacy, and holiness will always be remembered.

According to security office of GatewayMall, thousands of people visited everyday, and the organizers expect that thevisitors were inspired by the teachings of BJP2 as they prayed before therelics.

The Beatus exhibit lasted from Sunday, 9October, to Friday, 21 October 2011.

Blessed:A Call to Holiness

We joyfully celebrated the holiness ofBlessed John Paul II because in him Christ lived and moved so that we too canbe holy! This is the primary message of the first concert and liturgicalcelebration in honor of Blessed John Paul II.

Last October 29 the Smart-AranetaColiseum was filled with devotees from Metro Manila and near by provinces. Thepresence of this people is a proof the John Paul II is the beloved pope of theFilipino people.

Different groups such as Hail Mary theQueen Children’s Choir, Kilyawan, Las Piñas Boys Choir, put colors into theconcert through their music. But there’s more! The former ambassador to theHoly See and national president of the Mother Butler Guild, Henrietta “Tita” DeVilla, Ms. Jo Grafil, one of the organizers of the World Youth Day in Manila,and Fr. Francis Gustillo, SDB, a member of the International TheologicalCommission of the Vatican, shared their experiences with Blessed John Paul II.

Moreover, the people dropped tears whenthey sang again the official theme song of the World Youth Day 1995: “Tell theWorld of His love,” with animation from the Holy Family Parish Youth Ministryof Kamias, Quezon City.Then, for the first time, the Philippinesoffered a song to honor BJP2 entitled “Call us to you”, words by Fr. ManolingFrancisco, SJ, and music by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

Prior to the concert, Bishop Ongtiocoblessed the marker that will remind the people who visit the Smart-AranetaColiseum that this is considered a hallowed ground. During the 1981 visit tothe Philippines,Pope John Paul II made an audience with catechists and professionals at the “BigDome.” One of his touching statements, which can be found in the marker, was: “JesusChrist needs yοu for the building up of his Kingdom on earth.And the Church needs your special gifts,individually and collectively,to fulfil her mission of communicating Christ.”

Before the Mass, the prayer for theCanonization of Blessed John Paul II was led by His Eminence Jose CardinalSanchez, who worked hand-in-hand with Pope John Paul II as prefect (nowemeritus) for the Holy See’s Congregation for the Clergy from 1991 to 1996.

The four-hour concert was concluded witha Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided by Bishop Nessconcelebrated by some clergy and in the presence of Cardinal Sanchez. The Masswas for the intention of the Church (Missa Pro Ecclesia); at present the HolySee has still not responded to the request of the Philippines to the Vatican toinclude BJP2 in our Ordo (liturgical calendar).

During the Mass, Bishop Ongtioco usedthe chalice of Blessed John Paul II. It is a relic of the blessed pope and atthe same time a relic of Jesus Christ because it is a replica of and wastouched to the original Holy Grail (or the SantoCaliz, which we believed as the cup used by Jesus during the last supper)enshrined in Valencia, Spain.

In his homily, Bishop Ongtioco remindedall present and those who love Blessed John Paul II, “All of us are called tobe holy and let Blessed John Paul II be our inspiration and intercessor to theFather, the fountain of all holiness.”

Veneration of a Blessed Servant of God

2011-10-31T21:22:00.000+08:00

For almost two years priests, religious, and laity sent e-mails to me to answer this question:

"Can we venerate a Blessed in our community?"

Allow me to answer the question:

I. The Relics of the Saints in the Liturgy

In thepresent norm released by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, approved byBenedict XVI, beatification must be celebrated in the local church of theServant of God.[1] The local Ordinary, representing the local church, presents thelife and the miracle attributed to the Servant of God. After the proclamationof decree for beatification which comes from the Congregation for the Causes ofSaints and approved by the pope, the recipient of the miracle through theintercession of the new Blessed or a member of his or her community, brings therelic forward, a first class, for veneration, to the Cardinal-Prefect of theCongregation or to the legate of the pope and is enthroned in a proper place,preferably in the sanctuary. This is an indication that the new Blessed is nowworth of veneration in the local church. After the ceremony, an ApostolicLetter is given announcing to the world that there is a new Blessed who may bevenerated by the local church or an individual, and a feast day in the localchurch is also assigned.

II. Fr. Ed McNamara

Part 1:

The most recent norms relating to this theme are contained in a Notification published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, on Sept. 20, 1997.

These update and complement the norms given in the general calendar and the more-detailed norms given in the instruction "Calendaria Particularia" issued June 24, 1970.

This document touches on the subject of inserting the blessed in local calendars in several places, but above all in Nos. 25-37.

In general, the document warns against the excessive multiplication of celebrations in order to keep the General Roman Calendar's basic unity intact.

Especially in the first years after beatification or canonization it is probably better to limit the celebration to the locales more intimately united to the saint's life before seeking permission to include a new saint or blessed in a diocesan, regional or national calendar or in a religious order's general calendar (Nos. 28, 30).

The celebration of a blessed differs from that of a saint above all with respect to the universality of the veneration that may be offered to them.

The blessed are usually venerated with celebrations on a local level in places where they were born, where they died, where their relics are preserved. They are also venerated in places that had a long-term association with their activities, in a church dedicated to them, or within the confines of the churches and oratories of a particular religious order which has its own liturgical calendar.

However, even in these cases, it is better to begin by inserting this celebration as an optional memorial and later expand, both territorially and in liturgical ranking as devotion spreads (No. 31).

In some cases, especially in ancient dioceses, it might even be better to restrict this initial veneration to the church where his relics are kept or to his native town.

A priest may celebrate a saint's feast day anywhere in the universal Church as an optional memorial even if this feast is not included in the general calendar.

However, he must respect the general liturgical norms regarding the precedence of different celebrations which means that such a celebration may only take place on days where there is no other feast or obligatory memorial during ordinary time, in the weekdays of Advent before Dec. 17, those of Christmas after Jan. 2 and during Eastertide after the Easter octave (No. 33).

In order to include the celebration of a blessed in the national or diocesan calendar, or to dedicate a church to a blessed, either the bishops' conference or the local bishop, as the case may be, requests permission from the Holy See.

The inclusion of a new saint or blessed into a national calendar requires a two-thirds majority of the country's bishops in a secret ballot and the recognition of the Holy See.

Once the Holy See has granted permission, the blessed may be included in the national, regional, diocesan or religious order calendar according to the liturgical ranking permitted.

A blessed is usually accorded the ranking of optional memorial, occasionally an obligatory memorial, rarely a feast (and even then usually restricted to a church containing relics), but never a solemnity.

Thus, in the examples you pointed out: A priest in the United States can celebrate Blessed Junipero Serra who has been included in the calendar of the United States. But a priest in Rome may not celebrate except, I think, within the North American College, which, like all of Rome's national colleges, is permitted to follow the home calendar.

A priest may not celebrate Blessed Mother Teresa in ordinary churches unless the Holy See has granted permission to include the celebration in the diocesan regional or national calendar. But her feast may be celebrated anywhere in the world within the chapels and oratories of the Missionaries of Charity.

Part 2:

Several readers asked for clarifications regarding the celebration of Masses of blessed and saints (see Dec. 21) not included in the universal calendar.

One asked if a Mass in honor of a blessed who had been a member of a Third Order could be celebrated for members of the order even outside of a church pertaining to the group's First or Second orders.

The principal distinction between the liturgical celebration of saints and blessed is the restriction of the celebration of the blessed either locally to the places connected with their lives or relics, or within the churches of religious orders to which they pertained.

In the latter case the celebration of a blessed would usually be restricted to churches and chapels of the order but not necessarily, as in the case of orders of brothers or women religious, to priests who belong to the order in question.

No. 35 of the 1997 notification regarding particular calendars would not appear to allow for the celebration of blessed outside of these churches for particular groups such as members of Third Orders. Indeed, the document suggests that these celebrations should be occasions for pilgrimages to the churches where the Mass may be celebrated.

However, I think that in the not-too-distant future some modification of these norms will be necessary in order to accommodate, not just the blessed of Third Orders, but also the needs of the members of, say, Catholic Action and the Legion of Mary as well as some of the more recent lay ecclesial movements. These do not, strictly speaking, have churches or oratories of their own, but their members meet in parishes and other centers.

The celebration of the future blessed of these groups, many of which are international in character, will require a less geographically limited permission.

With regard to the texts to be used, if there is no official Mass texts or at least no approved translations for the recently blessed, then the most appropriate common should be used (virgins, pastors, men or woman saints etc.)

This throws some light on another aspect mentioned in my earlier reply which some found a bit confusing.

When speaking about the liturgical calendar, there are several levels. For the whole world there is the Church's General Liturgical Calendar which contains those celebrations of saints considered to be of universal or historical importance.

Also on the level of the whole world is the Roman Martyrology, which contains the entire list of saints and blessed celebrated in the Church although the vast majority of these are venerated only in certain areas.

On this level, any priest may celebrate the feast of a saint found in the martyrology of the day, provided the day is free of other general or local celebrations which would impede its celebration.

He may not, however, celebrate a blessed outside of the areas where this celebration has been specifically permitted by the bishop, or the bishops' conference and ratified by the Holy See.

On the local or particular level there are National, Regional, Diocesan, and Religious Order Calendars.

These may include saints and blessed from the Roman Martyrology, not included in the general calendar, as either obligatory or optional memorials within the confines of the territory for which they have been approved.

They sometimes attribute a higher degree of liturgical solemnity than that of the general calendar, especially in the case of national, diocesan or church patrons and occasionally a different date from that of the rest of the Church.

A traveling priest is usually obliged to follow the calendar of the country he is visiting. If celebrating without a congregation, however, he may follow the general calendar or that of his own nation or religious order.

As mentioned, there may be some exceptions: In Rome the many national colleges (North American, Brazilian, Filipino, English, Irish, etc.) have traditionally followed the calendars of their home countries with respect to major feasts and particular saints and blessed. This privilege may usually be exercised only within the colleges themselves.

Another exception could be when the prayer texts for a local celebration exist only in the language of the place. In such cases a traveling priest, either alone or accompanying a group, would not necessarily have to follow the particular celebration unless it had the category of a feast or solemnity in which case he could take the most appropriate common.

[1] Communique of theCongregation for the Causes of Saints, September 20, 2005.

Pastoral Visitation

2011-10-30T18:06:00.002+08:00

PART VIII

LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS IN CONNECTION WITHOFFICIAL ACTS

PERTAINING TO THE GOVERNMENT OF A DIOCESE

CHAPTER 2

PASTORAL VISITATION

1117 The bishop in fulfilling the obligationto visit the parishes or local communities of his diocese should not appear to besatisfying a purely administrative duty. Rather the faithful should see in himthe herald of the Gospel, the teacher, shepherd, and high priest of his flock.

1178 To ensure this happening, the visitationof the bishop should take place, if at all possible, on days that permit largenumbers of the faithful to gather. Sufficient time should also be devoted to anapt, preparatory catechesis of the people by their presbyters. The visitationitself should be sufficiently long to enable the bishop to preside atcelebration of the liturgy and to evaluate, promote, encourage, and put intoeffect the apostolate of the clergy and laity and the works of charity.

1179 The bishop, in the vestments indicated inno. 63, should be received in a manner suited to the circumstances of the placeand the situation. If this seems appropriate, the bishop may be solemnlyreceived and greeted by the clergy at the door of the church. But the bishopmay even be escorted to the church with festive song, when this is feasible andappropriate. A dignified solemnity in receiving the bishop is a sign of loveand devotion of the faithful toward their good shepherd.

1180 At the entrance of the church the parishpriest (pastor), vested in cope, meets the bishop, offers him the crucifix tobe kissed, and presents the sprinkler, with which the bishop sprinkles himselfand those present. After a brief, silent prayer before the blessed sacrament,the bishop goes to the sanctuary (chancel); there the parish priest (pastor),standing before the altar, invites the faithful to join in prayer for thebishop and, after a brief pause for silent prayer, says the pray God, eternal shepherd or God,our Father, our shepherd and guide, provided in The Roman Missal (Sacramentary).[1]

The bishop then greets the people and announces hisagenda for the visitation. He then says the collect for the titular of thechurch or the patron of the place, and, in the usual way, blessed the people.Then the parish priest (pastor) dismisses them.

1181 But when Mass is to follow the receptionof the bishop, immediately after the prayer for the bishop has been said, thebishop, at the chair, puts on the vestments for the Mass. The presbyterscharged with the pastoral care of the parish or presbyters living within theparish confines celebrate the Mass with the bishop, and the faithful take anactive part. Such participation is particularly to be sought in the more remoteparts of the diocese where the people rarely or never have the opportunity totake part in a stational Mass celebrated by the bishop in their own area.

1182 It is recommended that during thepastoral visitation the bishop confer not only the sacrament of confirmationbut other sacraments as well, particularly in his visits to the sick. In thisway he will more clearly appear to the faithful as the chief steward of themysteries of God and as the overseer and guardian of the entire liturgical lifein the Church entrusted to his care.

1183 When there is a lengthy visitation, thereshould be a celebration of the liturgy of the hours in the church or acelebration of the word of God, with the homily of the bishop and withintercessions for the Universal Church and for the local Church.

1184 As circumstances suggest, the bishopshould also go to the cemetery with the people and there offer prayers for thedead and sprinkle the graves with holy water, in the manner described alreadyin nos. 399-402.

[1]See RM, Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, I. For the Church,3 For the Bishop, A.

October 30, 2011 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-30T10:47:00.000+08:00

Pagod na pagod ako. Super pagod from work, from the recent event at Araneta Coliseum for Blessed John Paul II, kakabigay ng mga talks and lectures, etc. etc. etc. Yan din siguro ang mga nasasaloobin ng mga katulong o mga taong naglilingkod para sa iba... Pagod.

Minsan nga nakakapagod din ang magpaalipin. Gusto naman natin, minsan, tayo naman ang sundin at mag-utos. Tayo ang maging boss at ipadama sa iba ang pagod at hirap na ating dinaranas.

Ngunit bakit nga ba kailangan may maglingkod at may paglingkuran?

Ang paglilingkod ay tanda ng pagpapakumbaba.

Minsan, kahit ayaw mo, kailangan mo pa rin sumunod, or else gutom ang aabutin mo o kaya'y sama ng loob mula sa amo mo. Ang hirap sumunod ngunit ang pagsunod sa nakakataas ay tanda ng pagpapakumbaba.

Ang paglilingkod ay tanda ng pag-ibig.

Gagawin mo kahit ayaw mo, pero kailangan mong gawin dahil iniisip mo ang kapakanan ng iyong pinaglilingkuran. Puso ang dapat umiral. Ang mga marunong maglingkod ay mga taong marunong magmahal. Ang mga taong nagmamahal ay mga taong dapat naglilingkod.

Tulad ng asno na ginamit ng Panginoon sa pagpasok sa Jerusalem o ang asno na ginamit ni San Jose sa pagdala kay Inang Maria sa kanyang pagdadalang-tao, wala siyang kamalay-malay basta't ginawa niya ang kanyang hanapbuhay na paglilingkod. Sumunod siya at pinaglingkuran ang kanyang pasahero. Pero sa kanyang pagsunod at pagpapakumbaba, pag-ibig at pagtitiis... Kanyang nalaman pagkatapos na ang Panginoon pala ang kanyang pinaglingkuran, ang kanyang Tagapaglikha pala ang kanyang pasan.

Nawa tayo ay mag-asam pa na maglingkod. Dahil ang paglilingkod ay paraan upang maging Kristo sa iba: mapagkumbaba at nagmamahal.

In Memoriam

2011-10-30T10:35:00.001+08:00

The following words are now set permanently at a marker installed at the green-gate of Araneta Coliseum. Composed by Dave Ceasar F. Dela Cruz and Edited by Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ:

IN MEMORIAM

Innomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritui Sancti. Amen.

On the 18^thof February in the year of the Lord 1981,

during his firstpastoral visit to the Philippines,

Blessed John PaulII met the Filipino people in this place –

the AranetaColiseum.

What he said tothose present on that occasion

still reverberatesin our ears today:

“Jesus Christneeds yοu for the building up of his Kingdom on earth.

And the Church needs your special gifts,

individually and collectively,

to fulfill her mission of communicatingChrist.”

Today, the 29^thof October in the year of the Lord 2011,

on the occasion ofhis first liturgical feastday,

the Filipino peoplegathered once again

to honor theirbeloved Universal Pastor.

In the celebrationof joy and love,

through the Word ofGod and the Holy Eucharist,

we consider this placea hallowed ground that will remind us all

of the mission entrustedto us by Jesus Christ

through the words ofBlessed John Paul II.

This commemorative markeris blessed by

His Excellency the MostRev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D.,

Bishop of the Dioceseof Cubao,

in the presence ofpriests, religious and lay faithful of the diocese.

Ut InOmnibus Glorificetur Deus!

Relics during the Canonization and Beatification Ceremony

2011-10-23T16:51:00.002+08:00

From the Relics of the Saints in the Liturgy, p. 8-9:

Therelic of a holy person is first exposed during the beatification ceremony inhis or her local church. The ceremony is done within a Eucharistic Celebrationafter the homily. During the pontificate of John Paul II, beatification wasalmost always carried out in Rome to indicate that it was a universalcelebration. In the present norm released by the Congregation for the Causes ofSaints, approved by Benedict XVI, beatification must be celebrated in the localchurch of the Servant of God.[1] The local Ordinary, representing the local church, presents thelife and the miracle attributed to the Servant of God. After the proclamationof decree for beatification which comes from the Congregation for the Causes ofSaints and approved by the pope, the recipient of the miracle through theintercession of the new Blessed or a member of his or her community, brings therelic forward, a first class, for veneration, to the Cardinal-Prefect of theCongregation or to the legate of the pope and is enthroned in a proper place,preferably in the sanctuary. This is an indication that the new Blessed is nowworth of veneration in the local church. After the ceremony, an ApostolicLetter is given announcing to the world that there is a new Blessed who may bevenerated by the local church or an individual, and a feast day in the localchurch is also assigned.

Uponcanonization, the Blessed is elevated to the ranks of saints of the universalChurch. The pope presides at this moving ceremony. The canonization rite isdone after the greeting. The prefect of the Congregation for the Causes ofSaints, who speaks in behalf of the Church, presents the life and miracleattributed to the candidate. After which, the Litany of the Saints is prayed(or sung), with the Litany completed, the pope reads the formula ofcanonization: “For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of theCatholic faith and the fostering of Christian life, by the authority of ourLord Jesus Christ, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after duedeliberation and frequent prayers for divine assistance, and having sought thecounsel of many of our brethren in the Episcopate, we declare and define thatBlessed (Name of the Servant of God) is a Saint and we enroll him (her) amongthe Saints, decreeing that he is to be venerated in the whole Church as one ofthe Saints.”[2] Then all answer by singing: “Amen” accompanied with applause. Thisis followed by a procession of the relic of the new saint, carried by thebeneficiaries of the miracle attributed to the saint, or by one from his or hercommunity. The relic is presented to the pope and enthroned in a proper place,preferably in the sanctuary. This act means the saint may now be venerated andcelebrated by the universal church, and serve as an inspiration for thefaithful. An Apostolic Letter is then issued indicating the said canonizationceremony and the date of the feast.

[1] Communique of theCongregation for the Causes of Saints, September 20, 2005.

[2]Cf. Libbreti of the Canonization of Saint Teresa Benedicta of theCross (Edith Stein), 122-125; Douillet,81.

New Saints!

2011-10-23T10:59:00.002+08:00

Today, October 23, 2011, World Mission Sunday,

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will canonize at Saint Peter's Basilica three faithful:

GUIDO MARIA CONFORTI,
archbishop of Parma and founder of the Pious Society of Saint Francis Xavier
for Foreign Missions (Xaverian Missionaries);

LUIGI GUANELLA,
priest and founder of the Congregation of the Servants of Charity (Guanellians)
and of the Institute of the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence; and,

BONIFACIA RODRÍGUEZ DE CASTRO,

founder of the Congregation of the Servants of Saint Joseph.

Because of these three gifts for our Church and our Faith,
we shall hear again the sweet formula of Canonization
from the very mouth of the Vicar of Christ:

October 22, 2011 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-21T11:43:00.000+08:00

Love, love, love! We need to love! We need to love God first. Our heart is made to love God because it was him who made it. It beats naturally without the control of a human person, because God is the controller. But he controls it not to love him but we to live, and have a freedom of loving him and other people too.

Saint Josemaria said: "We have to love God because our heart is made for love. That is why, if we don’t give our heart to God with a pure affection, it will seek revenge… and will breed worms instead." (The Forge, 204)

Some people say that it is easy to love God, you just need to pray! But action speaks louder than words!

To love God, yes, we need to pray. But to do an act of love we need to serve and love our neighbors.

If we give our utmost love for God, the same we must do in loving and serving our brothers and sisters, especially those most unloved and unwanted.

Sometimes, it is not easy to love others. It is more easy God, because he is spirit. That is a wrong notion of love! It is a wrong spiritual understanding!

Loving one's neighbor is a love that is rooted from the love of God and who loves us first! God loves us so much, therefore, we need to return that love to him through serving our brothers and sisters, our neighbors.

May the Lord of love help us open our hearts to real and true love, a love that has no measure! Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS - November 1

2011-10-19T13:13:00.000+08:00

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Dave Ceasar Francisco Dela Cruz

November is marked by the secular as“Halloween.” Yes it is hallowed; it is holy, because we celebrate the Holy Godwho work in holy people of different age, status, and time. We honor the holypeople, specifically known and general, whom we love and venerate. We honor allthe Saints, a manifestation that ourChurch is truly a "Mother of the Saints, an image of the EternalCity"

Introduction

Since time and beginning, God callseach of his beloved to follow him. We marked them as patriarchs, priests,prophets, kings, and those who followed the will of God in the Old Testament.They are features of the consecrated and chosen people[1]– the Israelites - during that time.

In the New Testament, Jesus calledtwelve men to be his disciples, an invitation to be holy by serving with him toproclaim God’s kingdom and conversion. It was the disciples who heard, andfirst challenge to live and believe the beatitudes, the teachings of Our Lord,and, most especially, witness and follow the way of love of Jesus – hispassion, death, and resurrection.

After the glorious ascension ofJesus into heaven, now, the apostles were gifted by the power of the HolySpirit on Pentecost day. They were strong and confident, with love andhumility, proclaiming the Gospel to different races. They chose helpers –disciples, who were inspired by the life of Jesus, and who wish to continue toMessianic mission of Our Lord continued by the apostles. The Word of God and inthe Breaking of the Bread, many were fed with the spirit of Jesus and to liveaccording to the will of God – a blessed life. This was manifested when Stephen, one of the first deacons, offered hislife out of love for God and faith in Jesus Christ.[2]

The Book of Revelation is one of thebest sources where we can see how these holy people are rewarded by the Lord,faithful to his promise in the beatitudes. In the book also we can read how thepeople of God, the holy people, celebrate the victory of Christ’s paschal mystery.[3]

Veneration ofMartyrs

During the fourth century, early Christiansvenerate the martyrs of our faith. They celebrate it on their Dies Natalis (day of birth in heaven).Due to numerous martyrs that offered their life on one day, they celebrate themas a group. The Church as a mother, doesn’t want one of her children beabandoned or set aside. In Antioch, the Sunday after Pentecost was the firstdocumented testimony that Christians venerate the martyrs in one day. Thehomilies of our Church Fathers like St. John Chrysostom and St. Ephrem of Syriatestify to the said celebration.

Due to holy men and women who arenot martyrs, the Church also needs to accommodate them in the liturgicalcalendar. In the year 411, the Chaldean Christians have a day in the liturgicalcalendar called “Commemoration of Confessors” which is on Friday after Easter.

First AllSaints’ Day

May 13, 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IVconsecrated a Church, the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a famous place because thisis where the Romans worship all their gods. When Christianity hover over Rome,some of the palaces and mansion wereturned into places of worship. The Pantheon was dedicated under the titular Sancta Maria adMartyres(Holy Mary and all Martyrs). The day of the dedicatio Sanctae Mariae adMartyres became the first date of celebrating all Holy Men and Women in theRoman Church.

During the pontificate of PopeGregory III (731-741) he consecrated a chapel in Saint Peter’s Basilicadedicated to all the Saints on November 1. This is a chapel reserve for therelics holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors. From then on,November 1 became the feast of All Saints setting aside May 13.

At the Frankish empire there was acelebration for the Festival of All Saints. On 835AD, it was made a holy day of obligation in the whole Frankishempire, and then made universal by Pope Gregory IV. Pope Sixtus IV add anOctave, where the feast of Holy Relics falls for celebration.

The Solemnity ofAll Saints

Since the liturgical era of theCouncil of Trent until Vatican II, November 1 was untouchable and has the levelof a Solemnity (with Gloria, Second Reading, and Credo). The celebration todayechoes the preface of All Saints: “Today, we keep the festival of your holycity, the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother.”

November 1 is a holy day ofobligation in some countries, though it is not a holy day of obligation in ourcountry it is still a holiday.

For Filipinos, we must set a notionthat November 1 is a celebration of All Saints, the living holy men and womenof every time and place who are in heaven. It is a day of great reminder forall of us that we are all called to be saints.

Pastors must have a heart to leadtheir flock in understanding this wonderful celebration of our Church and ourfaith. Catechism on the role of the saints in our lives must be given. Muchmore, ways and exercises of holiness is timing for this season like: SolemnEucharistic Celebration, Confession, Retreat and Recollection, Work of Charity,etc.

During this day, the community musthave a local festival of All Saints like the exposition and veneration of therelics of the saints, presentation of the lives and works of the saints, andmany more.

PastoralSuggestion

During the Liturgy of the Hoursand/or Eucharistic Celebration on the solemnity of All Saints on November 1, orif the local community wishes to honor them through a votive mass for AllSaints, the relics of the saints or blessed can be exposed publicly forveneration of the faithful so that through this celebration they may invoketheir help that we, who honor them, be holy and with their prayers bring us theforgiveness and love of God.[4]

Reflection

Pope Benedict XVI gave a wonderfulhomily on All Saints day: “This, then, is the meaning of today's Solemnity:looking at the shining example of the Saints to reawaken within us the greatlonging to be like them; happy to live near God, in his light, in the greatfamily of God's friends. Being a Saint means living close to God, to live inhis family. And this is the vocation of us all, vigorously reaffirmed by theSecond Vatican Council and solemnly proposed today for our attention.

[1]Cf. Dt. 7: 6

[2]Ac. 7: 60

[3]Cf. Rev. 19: 1-5

[4]Opening Prayer on the Solemnity of All Saints

A FEAST FOR HOLY RELICS - November 5

2011-10-18T11:08:00.000+08:00

A FEAST FOR HOLY RELICS

Dave CeasarFrancisco Dela Cruz

In the calendar of the ExtraordinaryForm and in Tradition of the Holy Roman Church the 5^th day ofNovember is a feast not of a person or people but of their remains, the feastof the Holy Relics. Let us not be confused because other dioceses or religiouscommunities celebrate it in other days. But usually, it is celebrated withinthe Octave of the Solemnity of All Saints.

TheologicalFoundation

In the liturgical calendar theChurch commemorates the events and titles of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary,the life and holiness of the Angels, Apostles, Martyrs, Pastors, Doctors of theChurch, Virgins, Holy Men and Women. Likewise, the Church celebrates thedignity of dedicated houses of worship. But why have a celebration for holyrelics?

The cult of the saints which startedin the early times of the Church is a way for those who are living to rememberthe heroic act of a martyr, until the Church accepted non-martyrs forveneration. The honor (dulia) due tothe Saints is celebrated on the day of their Dies Natalis (birth in heaven). Early Christians celebrate these bycelebrating the Eucharist and visiting their tombs.

Sacred Scriptures remind us that ourbody is created by God, sanctified with the breath of life, and nourished byhis words. Our body, because it is the reflection of God’s goodness – made inhis image and likeness - and temple of the Holy Spirit- is sacred (Cf. Gen.1:26; 1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Furthermore, our baptism sanctifiesthe body and soul, freeing us from original sin and opens it to sanctifyinggraces. Amidst of sin and weaknesses of our body, the sacrament ofreconciliation rejuvenates our body and soul and is strengthened by the Word ofGod and the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

Death is the consequence of sin (Cf.Rom. 6:23). But because of Christ death on the cross, his rising restored ourlife and death became a reward for Christians. As what Saint Teresa of Avilasaid: “To see God we must die,” and her spiritual daughter, Saint Therese ofthe Child Jesus, enriched the beauty of death as entry “to eternal life.” TheChristian is rewarded by seeing and being with God and to be in company withChrist forever.

The soul, in God’s mercy we trust,is at peace. The body is given honor with Christian burial: the body, evenwithout life, is owned by God and is still sacred. This is why we give wakes, FuneralMasses, blessings, and celebrating the death anniversary at the tomb. The body,decomposed or incorrupt, is still God’s creation, and will always remind us ofthe person who was made one with Christ on earth.

Theologyof the Body

The Gospel narrates to us that afterthe death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of the Lordto be laid in peace in a tomb. Romans and Jews are people who have a deep respectfor the dead. Joseph, moved with faith and trust in the resurrection, gave aworthy burial for the dead body of the Lord on the cross and, with others around,gave what is due: pure linen, perfume, etc. Christians, both during the time ofthe apostles and the early Church, did the same giving respect for the body aswhat they did with Stephen the first martyr, the apostles, and early martyrs.

One wonderful account during theearly Church was on the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp wherein Christians gatheredhis remains, which is the translation of relics,“And so we afterwards took up his boneswhich are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, andlaid them in a suitable place.”

The said accountwas a proof on how we must respect our body, living and dead. Respect for theremains is a Christian act because it is a way of respecting and treasuringGod’s gift, the gift of the body.

At the start of this paper, Imentioned, and will always remind the readers, that our body is sacred becauseit is God’s gift and creation, and is sanctified by the Sacraments. These arealso the reasons why we place the mortal remains of our departed ones insidebeautiful and dignified coffins, letting him/her wear the best clothes, andputting flowers and candles around. The same with the relics of the saints, weplace them in an adorned theca (the round metal container) and in a reliquary,placing them in a dignified place for veneration.

Bones, ashes, and even personalobjects owned by the person whom we loved are taken care well to show ourrespect and love for our beloved. Much more, we care of these because God worksin the person and the material objects became instruments to help him/her be holy.This is the reason why we venerate the relics of the saints: to render theSaints what is due to them and, through this practice, to render more praiseand adoration to their creator God.

AFeast for Holy Men and Women

“TheSaints have been traditionally honored in the Church,” (SC11) almost everyday: from optional and obligatory memorials to feasts and the solemnities,especially on November 1.

Before the Second Vatican Council,in the Calendar of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and in the MissaleRomanum of 1962, there was a feast dedicated for the Relics of the Saintsnamely: “SacrarumReliquiarum quæ in ecclesiis diœcesis asservantur.”It wasplaced on November 5, within the octave of All Saints’ Day, and is attributedto Saint Pope Pius X, because before there were other dates, depending on thelocal Church to celebrate this wonderful feast but he united these observancesinto one day.

Due to the renewal of liturgy bothin texts and rites, most especially on the liturgical calendar, the feast ofHoly Relics was set aside but never abrogated.

Some dioceses, especially in Europe,and monasteries and canonries still celebrate the Feast of Holy Relics. SaintNorbert once said: “Youmust have a great veneration for the relics of the Saints, for they are moreprecious than all the treasures of the world. Should you possess any inyour house, consider them as the guardians of your home and your heart.”

We could consider the Saints’presence in homes as intercessors, friends, and also guardians. The Church isthe home of the Family of God, and when a Church possesses relics of Saints, itis a visible sign of the unity of the Church: Triumphant, Militant, andSuffering. Furthermore, as we honor the relics of the Saints, we are reminded ofGod as our creator, that the human body is sacred, and we are called to besaints.

Pastoral Suggestion

“The Saints have been traditionally honored in the Church,and their authentic relics and images held in veneration,” (SC11) itis nice to ask pastors of souls to continue the tradition of the Church by celebratingthe Feast of Holy Relics - ususantiquior.

In Rome, especially in the SaintPeter’s Basilica, and in other Churches they place the relics in a reliquarynear or within the sanctuary (for Ordinary Form)[1].It is not a veneration of the dead for no one dies in Christian faith: all ofus are living because God is our life. We venerate the saints who live in God’skingdom and blessing God in his saints.

For us here in the orient, it willbe a pastoral and spiritually enriching moment for our faithful to let them beaware with the treasures of our Church – the relics of the saints – and to helpthem see our future glory: sainthood. A catechesim on the cult and the relicsof the saints is to be given as a preparation for this wonderful feastday.

In the Ordinary Form, becausethere’s no proper for the feast SacrarumReliquiarum, we could use the votive Mass for All Saints, following thereadings on November 1. And for the Extraordinary Form, the proper is used.

Reflection

Auge in nobis, Dómine, resurrectiónis fidem,

qui in Sanctórum tuórum relíquiis mirabília operáris:

et fac nos immortális glóriæ partícipes,

cujus in eórum cinéribus pígnora venerámur.

Per Dóminum.

(MissaleRomanum, 1962)

Lord, increase our faith in theresurrection;

who in the relics of your saints workwonders:

make us partakers of your eternal glory,

the reward of the ashes which wevenerate.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(PersonalTranslation)

Venerating the relics of the saintsis not a cult of the dead but of the living. There is resurrection, and webelieve in it. The resurrection of the body is a truth of our faith which weneed to believe everyday so that we may be inspired to avoid sin and do holyworks.

Holiness is attained in two ways:care for the body so that the soul may be secured, and nourishment of the soul inorder that the body may be strengthened. We need to be inspired. We need holymen and women to inspire us to holiness.

Caring for the relics is a way ofstrengthening the dignity and sanctity of the body that God has given us.Desecration of the relics is a sacrilege not only towards the saints, but alsoto the Body of Christ – where we are all part.

Let us rejoice in the holy men andwomen of every time and place. May their prayers bring us God’s forgiveness andlove, and help us to be worthy to enter eternal glory (Preface for All Saints),the reward of the holy people. Amen.

Bibliography

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. Compendium on the Catechism of the CatholicChurch

3. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy,Vatican II

4. 1962 Missale Romanum

5. Roman Martyrology

[1] A reliquary must not be placed upon the altar or set into the tableof the altar; it must be placed beneath the table of the altar, as the designof the altar permits (Rite of Dedication of a Church and an Altar, 5).

Porta Fidei

2011-10-18T05:11:00.002+08:00

PORTA FIDEI (Door of Faith) is the latest Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI formally announcing the Year of Faith from October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013.

"In the light of all this, I have decided to announce a Year of Faith. It will begin on 11 October 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and it will end on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, on 24 November 2013. The starting date of 11 October 2012 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church"

We want this Year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope. It will also be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is “the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; ... and also the source from which all its power flows. (No. 9)

Profession of faith is an act both personal and communitarian. It is the Church that is the primary subject of faith. In the faith of the Christian community, each individual receives baptism, an effective sign of entry into the people of believers in order to obtain salvation. (No. 10)

Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt. Faith and charity each require the other, in such a way that each allows the other to set out along its respective path. (No. 14)

Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 11 October in the year 2011, the seventh of his pontificate.

Year of Faith

2011-10-17T00:27:00.001+08:00

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI declared that

October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013

will be

A YEAR OF FAITH

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council

“It will be a moment of grace and commitment to a more complete conversion to God,

to strengthen our faith in Him and proclaim Him with joy to the people of our time.”

October 16, 2011 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-15T11:03:00.000+08:00

"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

It can also be "Give to the state what belongs to the state, and to God what belongs to God," much better, isn't?

We all know that the State and Church in the Philippines are separated institutions. Some statesmen said: "We are concerned with the body, let the Church focus on the soul."

Hmmm... God created Man, body and soul. The Church is the sacrament of God's presence in the world. Therefore, the Church has a great concern with our body and with our soul.

But God is a generous and kind God. He also wants us to serve the State. Saint Paul, in the second reading, gave us a wonderful way to serve God through the State, and serve the State with God as our end: work of faith and labor of love.

Work and Labor are two words that we need to render for the State. Work and Labor help our country in terms of economy. But working with faith and laboring with love serve not only the State in terms of economy but also the Souls.

Saint Josemaria Escriva always remind us that to work with love is a way of praising God and sanctifying others and ourself.

Yes, we need to give what is due to the State - our services, but, at the same time, we must also give what is due to God - our faith and love.

Message of the Prelate: PRAY!

2011-10-11T21:23:00.000+08:00

"Let us persevere in the “battle of prayer,” without neglecting or letting up in our effort, for any reason, in those conversations with our Father God; let us dialogue with Jesus, our elder Brother, who teaches us to draw close to his heavenly Father; let us give entrance in our soul to the Paraclete, who wants to enkindle our hearts with God’s love. And let us take as our intercessor the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, who is the teacher of prayer; and also go to St. Joseph, the angels and the saints, especially to St. Josemaria, who by his teaching and example has shown us how to be contemplatives in the middle of the world."

Bishop Javier Echevarria

Prelate of Opus Dei

Message for October 2011

Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council

2011-10-11T21:15:00.003+08:00

49 years ago, on this same date - October 11, the Holy Spirit move and hover - always - the Roman Catholic Church and inspired Pope John XXIII to open the Second Vatican Council.

The purpose of this council, according to the Supreme Pontiff, is this: "that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more efficaciously. That doctrine embraces the whole of man, composed as he is of body and soul. And, since he is a pilgrim on this earth, it commands him totend always toward heaven."

Pope John XXIII envisions the Church to "become greater in spiritual riches and gaining the strength of newenergies therefrom, she will look to the future without fear," and he continues the ways of achieving it "by bringing herself up to date where required, and by the wise organization ofmutual co-operation, the Church will make men, families, and peoples really turn their minds to heavenly things."

On this 49th anniversary of Vatican II, let us pray more for the Church that the Lord may deliver her from her enemies and humble down her critiques. The Church will remain One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church if people, especially those who minister them, be faithful and obedient to our Holy Mother's teachings and precepts.

Christus Vincit! Christus Regnat! Christus Imperat!

The New Roman Missal at the Campus

2011-10-11T12:14:00.000+08:00

“You are indeedHoly, O Lord, the fountof all holiness.

Make holy,therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like thedewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Bloodof our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

These words of the Eucharistic Prayer II from the 3rdEdition of the Roman Missal were heard for the first time at Claret School ofQuezon City last October 7, 2011. Some were silent, others prayed, and teacherswere happy.

One Grade 7 teacher discussed one time with me regardingthe New Roman Missal. She said that she will teach her pupils ASAP. Wow! Thankyou, Madam! And take note, she got her Master’s at Ateneo de Manila University.

How can we welcome with joy the New Roman Missal?

What I’m doing right now at the Campus is to graduallyintroduce the parts of the priest. Gradual presentation is a way not to putinto shock the people.Then, little by little, when the students and pupils are ready (waiting for the go signal of the teachers) we will use little by little their people's responses. Patience is a virtue...

Second, I am coordinating with my Head and the CLESubject Coordinators. I already gave them a copy of the new Roman Missal. Ihope they’ll do their teaching right. Well, our spiritual director and Head of the CMO arewilling to conduct a seminar for CLE Teachers on the new Roman Missal. Courage is a key for change.

Lastly, teach our pupils and students fidelity and loveto the Church. The Church will never lead us to bad things… It will always giveus goodness because she is our Mother who loves us. I’m telling some of ourstudents and pupils, “read, pray, then make a reflection and ask God tomemorize and understand the answers.” Some of them already memorized theanswers, even the Latin! Love bears goodness and good children.

The Priest is important

Other than the teachers and students, priests are one of themain ingredients in welcoming the new Roman Missal.

The Priest who presided the Mass last Friday was sowelcoming! He welcomes the EPII of the 3rd Edition with joy and happiness andtold me that he will share it to others. Thank you, Father!

I am sure that some of our priests have the same attitudetoward the new Roman Missal. An attitude of “Hospitality.”

Filipino Hospitality and the New Roman Missal

Hospitality… The Filipino Way… is the best attitude wecan give in preparing, welcoming, and celebrating the New Roman Missal.

Filipinos give their best to welcome someone, even a stranger.But the new Roman Missal is not a stranger at all! So, we welcome the new RomanMissal giving the best we have, with joy – in a fiesta spirit, because he isnot only a visitor but a part of our family, the family of God!

The face of Mary

2011-10-04T18:26:00.001+08:00

Gaze on the face of the Woman who lived simply in Nazareth.

Gaze on the face of the Woman who look at her son.

Gaze on the face of the Woman who gave her son so that you may live.

Gaze on the face of the Woman that you may be inspired to live like her.

Gaze on the face of the Woman and let her embrace you tight with her Son.

O Woman, blessed are you! Blessed because you are the most beautiful,

the most humble, and the more dearest Lady I ever met in my life.

Amen.

A must-watch movie!

2011-10-03T18:11:00.004+08:00

Invitations

2011-10-03T18:11:00.002+08:00

October 2 History

2011-10-01T23:15:00.001+08:00

Today, October 2, is a day of two festive events for me and those who are involved in The Work:

First, today we remember our Guardian Angels. Saint Josemaria wrote: " Get into the habit of praying to the Guardian Angel of each person you are following up, to help them to be good and faithful and cheerful, so that when the time comes they will be able to receive the eternal embrace of Love from God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and from the Blessed Virgin." (The Forge, 1012)

Memorize the "Angel of God?" I do! I love this prayer so much.. I know the Latin and English version! I pray it very often! Everytime I pray this, I am always reminded of Saint Josemaria's words: "Have confidence in your guardian Angel. Treat him as a lifelong friend — that is what he is — and he will render you a thousand services in the ordinary affairs of each day." (The Way, 562).

Then, at this same date, God called Saint Josemaria to found (in Spain, AD1928) Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the ordinary duties of a Christian.

From "Conversations" No. 24:

"Opus Dei aims to encourage people of every sector of society to desire holiness in the midst of the world. In other words, Opus Dei proposes to help ordinary citizens like yourself to lead a fully Christian life, without modifying their normal way of life, their daily work, their aspirations and ambitions."

"It intends to remind Christians of the wonderful words of Genesis: God created man to work. We try to imitate the example of Christ, who spent almost all his life on earth working as a carpenter in a small town. Work is one of the highest human values and the way in which men contribute to the progress of society. But even more, it is a way to holiness."

"Opus Dei is an international lay organisation to which a certain number of secular priests belong, although they are a small minority. Its members are people who live in the world and hold normal jobs. They do not join Opus Dei to give up their job. On the contrary, what they look for in the Work is the spiritual help they need to sanctify their ordinary work. Thus their work becomes a means to sanctify themselves and help others to do the same thing. They do not change their status. They continue being single, married, widowed or priests. What they try to do is serve God and their fellow men in their own state in life. Opus Dei is not interested in vows or promises. It asks its members to make an effort to practise human and Christian virtues, as children of God, despite the limitations and errors that are inevitable in human life."