Traditional Latin Mass in Bicol: A year After the SF and Our TLM in Sorsogon City

There is no doubt that the Motu Proprio of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had been a blessing to many Catholic Faithful who had long for a clarificatory statement form the Holy See about the status of the Roman Rite prior to the Liturgical Reforms of the Second Vaican Council. Many thought that the Reforms abrogated the Traditional Latin Mass, but in the SF the Holy Father stated that the Traditional Latin Mass was never abrogated. In his explanation to the Bishops, the Pope said..."Many people who clearly accepted the binding character of the Second Vatican Council, and were faithful to the Pope and the Bishops, nonetheless also desired to recover the form of the sacred liturgy that was dear to them. This occurred above all because in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal, but the latter actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear. I am speaking from experience, since I too lived through that period with all its hopes and its confusion. And I have seen how arbitrary deformations of the liturgy caused deep pain to individuals totally rooted in the faith of the Church."[ Letter of the Pope to the Bishops of the world accompanying his motu proprio (EWTN)]
As I recall how this TLM in Sorsogon started, I could only cite three: (1) An enduring love for the Liturgy, (2) a Desire to recover a treasure of faith, and (3) the enduring grace of the Almighty. Let me share to you some exerpts of letter / exchanges that could help us reflect on the beginning and the fruits of this simple but deligent work in the vineyard of the Lord.

A review of the TLM in Sorsogon City, Philippines since it started in February 28, 2008 in obedience and under the spirit of the Summorum Pontificum.

The First Private TLM of Fr. Abe, CRS.

The Faithful who assisted in the First TLM in Sorsogon City

The Second TLM

Three of my students who assisted in the Mass, Romulo, Jefferson and Ryan

The 3rd TLM with Andrei, one of my students and Mrs. Gina, our Instructor.

Ecce Agnus Dei.....

Fr. Abe, CRS Introduced the Somascan Sisters of Casi Miani in Sorsogon City to the TLM

The Somascan Sisters

The "Confradia de San Geronimo"

The Recitation of the Leonine Prayers

Major Elevation, Fr. Abe introduced the Nuns of Servias de Jesus to the TLM in one of the retrats.

The Simple Altar. Ad Orientem. Facing East-the Ressurected Christ of the Eucharist

Here is an excerpt from the letter I send Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS requesting for the Traditional Latin Mass under the Summorum Pontificum privilege.

Dear Fr. Abe.Its nice to discover your blog site. A friend from the Traditional Latin Mass Community in Cubao QC recommended your site... My difficulty is because there are no traditionalist priests here in Bicol that says the Tridentine Mass. I do not know if you say it in private. But if you do, please do invite me to attend. I am longing for it. It is only seldom that I can go to Manila so it gives me fewer chance to attend to this mass. I have been a devotee of this mass. ......I hope that you will reply to my query. I think there are other traditionalists out there who would like to avail of the Summurom Pontificum, the apostolic letter of Benedict XVI allowing for universal indult of the rites prior to 1970.Cheers! God is good. Dr. Herbert R.January 4, 2008 9:20 AM.

Here is the reply of Fr. Abe to my letter:

Dear Dr. Herbert,GRACE AND PEACE BE UPON YOU!God is good, indeed. His mercy endures forever. His love is greater than our hearts.I am truly blessed to have known you through some friends from Quezon City. For sure some of them have attended my apologetic seminars or are already members of the Defensores Fidei Foundation.First and foremost I wish to inform you that I am a Somascan religious priest working here in Sorsogon City. I was trained and ordained under the Novus Ordo Mass and for that reason it is the Mass I celebrate daily as a minister of the Church. Prior to Summorum Pontificum I didn't ask for an indult and was never given one. Because I was and is still convinced that the Novus Ordo is a valid celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the One and Eternal Priesthood of Christ.However, like you I am also in-loved with the Tridentine Mass because I see it as an immortal treasure of the liturgical heritage of the Church. Now that the Summorum Pontificum had given permission to priests to say the Tridentine Mass of Pope John XXIII [1962] and has commanded priests to accept requests for it I am still preparing myself for such a service. Because practically I am still not so ready to celebrate it with solemnity and grace that it deserves.If there are no priest in Bicol that celebrate it then count me in. As long as there is a request I will celebrate it with love out of OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND OF THE VICAR OF CHRIST. But please give me some time at least a month to thoroughly be ready for it. Yes, I will communicate with you so that we can discuss it over. And at the same time I will inform my superior and my Bishop so that things will be done smoothly. GOD BLESS YOU!January 4, 2008 12:05 PM

Here is a further exchange of communication that followed:

January 4, 2008 12:05 PMHello Fr. Abe I know that you are the answer to my prayers. I feel so despondent because I have tried looking for a priest who can say the extraordinary form of the Mass. But to no avail. Even the older priests are not inclined to say it. Like you I still believe that both the Novus Ordo Missae and the Pre-Vatican II Mass are legitimate. Both are legitimate and they can exist side by side. In fact there are no two rites, they are simply expressions of one rite, the Roman Rite orLatin Rite. The Pope said that the Tridentine mass will be the extraordinary form while the novus ordo will be the extraordinary form. In fact the Novus Ordo Missae can be said in a very respectful manner just like we see it on EWTN. The problems that beset the liturgical reform of post vatican II are the abuses that has crept in. Pope Benedict mention about this in his letter to the Bishops. He lamanted the fact that in many instances some people were not faithful to the rubrics prescribed in the missal and introduced innovations that distract from the intent of the Mass. I think this is the reason why the pope wrote the Summurom Pontificum. He wants to see a link between the pre-Vatican Liturgy and the post vatican Liturgy. Both have their points. Pre-Vatican Liturgy emphasizes the sacred and propitious nature of the mass while post vatican II emphasized active participation. Fr. I hope that you will say this mass even if privately and for the start even a low mass. Kahit malayo ako sa Sorsogon willing ako pumunta diyan just to assist in this mass. Fr. Please help us baka ikaw na ang kasagutan sa aming mga panalangin. Help us. Ang nandidito sa akin ay puro mga CD ng tridentine rite at mga missals. But I dont get to participate unless I go to Cubao in the parish of Fr. Jojo Zerudo. By the way Fr. Jojo says this mass now every day in his parish formerly it was with the indult of Bishop Ongtioco now with the summorum in force he is doing it now. at marami rin ang nag attend every sunday at 1:30 p.m. at araw araw may low mass siya every 4 pm. Sana Fr. Masimulan ninyo. Maybe you can say it in private hen invite us, perhaps a few of us who are willing. We can start a Latin Mass Community. Fr. Please help us. This mass is a treasure of the Church let us preserve it for posterity here in Bicol. Let us do it in the spirit and intent of Pope Benedict XVI.Thank you very much. I will be praying hard. Cheers God is good. Herbert B.

Here is the second reply:

Dear Dr. Herbert, GRACE AND PEACE! I believe that it is the will of the Lord that I celebrate the Tridentine Mass. For sure there will be more like you who are very eager to worship the Lord in this manner. Just give me at least half a month Brod and I will practice and orient myself into it. Then I will celebrate it twice a month or even weekly if God wills. I have the text in Latin but I hope you have a text in Latin side by side with English translations so that our faithful can understand it better. If ever you have a video cd or DVD copy of the entire Tridentine Mass then please let me borrow so that I can learn it as soon as possible. At this point in time I don't have exact proper vestments for it but it for the meantime a decent and formal Alb, the Chasuble and the Stole will do. Yes, I am more than willing to help you and share the liturgical beauty of the Catholic Faith with you and your group provided you are not schismatics ...Of course, after reading your blog and your e-mail I am convinced that you are faithful Catholics. I have read your Blog and I find it beautiful. In fact, I already added it in my own Blog's list of links. Sorry for doing so without asking your permission first. I hope you will consent otherwise I will remove it from my list. I want to promote also good Catholic blogs so that the Catholic readers will be enriched by us through the web. Please let us continue communicating so that we can hasten that day when we can worship the Lord in the manner our forefathers did -- THE TRIDENTINE MASS!GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS! In Christ Jesus and Mary, Rev. Fr. Abraham P. Arganiosa, CRS College Chaplain Aemilianum College, Inc. Rizal St., Piot, Sorsogon City 4700

This blog posts was picked up by another priest who commented thus:

Dear Fr Abe,My name is Fr Dennis Estrella and I happen to be the Filipino chaplain of the Filipino community (mostly OFWs) here in Padova (Padua) in the northeast of Italy not far from Venice. I was reading about the Black Nazarene in Quiapo when I chanced upon your blog. Reading the requests of some our admirable faithful like Dr Herbert I cannot help but feel that pastoral charity that swells in our hearts as priests... we were ordained for them and it is for their sake that we try our best to remain faithful! Well, I will pray for you all... I don't even know you personally and the only priest from Sorsogon that I remember encountering was Fr Rene Pinero when I met him in Collegio in Rome last year or the other year perhaps. Well, we share the same thoughts about the Latin Mass. We explain to our faithful exactly as the Pope says in his motu proprio... Our Filipino Catholic faithful are truly unique in the world and I believe I can say this correctly after living in Italy for some time. God bless you always in your ministry. If ever you will find yourself anywhere near here, don't hesitate to contact me. That is part of my work as chaplain here - help the pilgrims who come. I also read that Dr Herbert is devoted to il nostro Santo di Padova, il carissimo Sant'Antonio. It would not be much of a bother for me to send him some things directly from the Basilica of St. Anthony. We remain united before the Lord in prayer and in the celebration of the Liturgy. Oremus pro invicem.Fr Dennis Fidel I. EstrellaParrocchia di Natività di MariaVia Pilade Bronzetti, 1035138 Padova (PD)Italy