Candelaria [ Candlemass]

Yesterday February 2, I had the opportunity to hear mass at the Cathedral Church of our diocese.  I attended a meeting at the Social Action Center and happened to drop by at the church at noon time for the candlemass.  Today is also the death anniversary of my grandmother Maria Arcos Bufete, who died on Candlemass day.  She was a devotee of the Virgin Mary and God granted her the grace to die in the state of grace.  She died conscious and prior to her death she received consciously the last rites.  The night before she died, and despite of failing memory she struggled to recite the Pater Noster.  To me that was a sign of a happy predestination.  May she rest in peace.  I know that she is there praying for us.  And we too in return, as a family, offer our prayers and spiritual works of mercy for her repose.  I think that the Catholic family should be that way.

The statue of an Angel bearing the container of holy water

 at the entrance of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Great

The faithful standing for the blessing of the candles.  Unfortunately I did not bring one with me.  But it was a joy to see the faithful, with devotion and delight held up their ligthed candles for the blessing.

The Cathedral, half full, but in a short while will be filled with the faithful for the noon day Mass.  Despite of their Busy work Filipinos in this cathedral parish celebrates candlemass.  The Cathedral is located in the heart of the Capital of the province of Albay beside the city hall and the provincial capitol.  So most of the faithful attending mass are government employees.  The City government even has a choir that sings in this cathedral every Sunday.