VISITA IGLESIA

AN INTRODUCTION. Holy Week is coming again and may I have the pleasure to introduce you to our Parish Church for your Lenten Devotions. This church was identified by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCAA) as one of the 25 baroque Churches of the Philippines. In Albay, Province there are only two churches identified as such. One is in Daraga, Albay (Our Lady of the Pillar). This Church is more than a century old and was built by the secular clergy. During the Spanish colonial period, our locality was considered a back water. But it became the focus of missionary activity of the Franciscans. But as the Hierarchy was secularized, it was the local clergy who continued the evangelization. Hence, the titular was St. John the Baptizer because it was a mission parish.


FOND MEMORIES. I have very fond memories of this church. It was on this church that my maternal grand parents were baptized, confirmed, married and where requiem masses were said for them. This was also the church where I was baptized and confirmed. As children we were members of the Legion of Mary, every year we remember renewing our vows to the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her protection and asking her to keep us faithful and chaste.



NOSTALGIA? . I am filled with nostalgia for the Old Church. The renovations made on the altar, seem to have obscured the architectural beauty of this old church. The original high altar was plated with silver and on the sides were huge silver candlesticks. But as renovations were made, the high altar was removed and replaced with an arch. The image of St. John was removed from the reredo and replaced with the huge image of the Risen Christ. But it seems that the way the statue of the risen Christ was made does not fit with the Baroque architectural design of the altar. The front of the new free standing altar was permanently built on the edge of the front step which would make it impossible to celebrate an “Ad Orientem” Mass. Incensing of the altar would also prove difficult because the priest had to descend the steps in order to incense the front of the altar. The communion rails made of high grade concrete and balustrades were also removed. Nostalgia? Yes, ...I say unabashedly, because nostalgia means a longing for home. How we long to be home. We are tired of the of the liturgical novelties that fades away with the fashion of time.


ENDURING DEVOTION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD. The grotto of our Lady of Lourdes located on the right side exterior of the Church. This grotto of the Blessed Mother has been the constant site of popular devotion, day and night votive candles are lighted by the faithful. The statuary of Our Lady and St. Bernadette are superb. It has European features. Recently the parish renovated and repainted the grotto, they placed some railings, in order to protect the grotto from vandals and also in imitation of the Grotto in Lourdes, France.



PROPHET FOR ALL SEASON! The side altar on the right contains the image of St. John the Baptist. The titular of the Parish. Jesus said that of all the prophets, there is no greater than John the Baptist. On this side also stands now the Choir. This church is a big parish. On a Sunday eight masses are celebrated to accommodate the large number of people attending mass. During Sundays and Holidays the 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. Masses are well attended. The crowd most often would spill even outside of the door. Others had to stand outside near the windows just to hear the Mass. Tabaco City is a center, hence most people from the rural areas find it convenient to attend Mass in this Church to fulfill Sunday obligation.