The Church of My Childood

The Facade of the Parish Church of St. Michael, Oas, Albay

Photos and narration by Dr. Herbert R.


I was spiritually delighted to have the chance to visit again the Church of my childhood. I went to Oas to attend to the funeral of my aunt Delia who died a week ago. This church reminded me of so many things. This family event reminded me of the many good things my aunt did for me as a child. My aunt Delia kept the home most of the time since she was single and unmarried. She was a devotee of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and we used to attend and fulfill our Sunday obligations in this church. The religiosity of my aunt was a great factor in shaping my spiritual life. The love for the Church, appreciation for the church's devotions, her liturgies and the sorrow that went with it as a result of the pains of the liturgical reforms of the 70s that almost devastated our faith. But thanks be to God for seeing us through. My aunt died on the Morning of the 14th Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. She died in the morning just an hour or so after confession and after receiving Holy Communion. Our gratitude goes to the Pastor of the Parish of St. Michael for providing this great sacramental aid to the dying. The fact that she died peacefully and in the aegis of the Sacraments is a clear sign of the grace of God. Thanks to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medals, Our Lady Mediatrix of all Graces. May my aunt Delia rest in peace.

I use to hear masses on this Church as a Child. Our favorite time for mass is the 3:00 p.m. Mass. I remember that in the 70s people use to attend mass wearing their Sunday's best. Women still use the mantilla or veil and clutching rosaries unabashed while walking the streets on their way to Church

The Side Altar with the Image of St. Michael, the Patron of the Parish

Thank God the authorities did not remove this Baroque altar. I could imagine the low masses said on this altar in years gone by. Nostalgia??? yes nostalgia. We are nostalgic because we miss those days and those practices that nourished our faith. We disdain the fancy and hallow novelties of the present times. Especialy the novelties found in liturgical celebrations which has robbed the church of its rich symbolism and spirituality and replaced with nihilistic and modernist art, whose meaning is abstract, uninspiring and dull.

The Old Baptistry, now a museum piece!

Oas is the town in Albay refuted for producing large number of priests. This town is very religious and deeply devout. During the revolution and during the schismatic movement of Fr. Aglipay in the early 20th century, the people of Oas declared their loyalty to the Bishop of Rome. During public processions, the homes along the streets display the papal colors of white and gold to declare their adherence to the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ.

The Massive and fortress-like Belfry

The Main Altar at close range.

I note with sadness that the Baroque reredo is gone and is now replaced with a giant image of the Risen Christ with the cross in the Background. The communion railings were also gone. I wonder why in the guise of liturgical reform, some people are not conscious or sensitive to cultural heritage. How can the practice of the past that has sanctified the life of countless faithful will now suddenly become outdated?

The Chapel of the Saints.

Figure of an Angel Carrying the Holy Water Container used for ablutions of the faithful. The Ancient Christians believed that every Church has a guardian angel

The Image of the Holy Face