Tridentime Mass at Amaelianum College, Sorsogon City, Philippines.
Tridentine Mass at Aemelianum College: The Priest as alter Christus becomes the Christ at the moment of the Celebration of the Sacred Mysteries. A minister and dispenser of the benefits of the altar.
The year for priests was concluded with a Papal Mass at St. Peters. The Pope highlighted several issues and in general he has mentioned something about the blessing. I would like to give emphasis on some points raised by the Holy Father.
"Had the Year for Priests been a glorification of our individual human performance, it would have been ruined by these events. But for us what happened was precisely the opposite: we grew in gratitude for God’s gift, a gift concealed in "earthen vessels" which ever anew, even amid human weakness, makes his love concretely present in this world. So let us look upon all that happened as a summons to purification, as a task which we bring to the future and which makes us acknowledge and love all the more the great gift we have received from God. In this way, his gift becomes a commitment to respond to God’s courage and humility by our own courage and our own humility. The word of God, which we have sung in the Entrance Antiphon of today’s liturgy, can speak to us, at this hour, of what it means to become and to be a priest: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29)." (Zenit.org)
Despite of the scandals about clergy abuses in Ireland, Germany and other places, these tragic event did not ruin the Church. The Holy Father is right when he said that priests are earthen vessels, there is a constant call for renewal and purification. Even in deepest sin God can penetrate us. Constantly we are called to look unto Christ and learn from Him. As a Catholic layman I do am not discouraged. This scandals and abuses can never dampen or destroy my relationship with the Church.
I am ever grateful for my priests, to the priest who baptized me, to the Bishop who confirmed me in the faith, to the priest who heard my confession, the priest who says mass for us every day and every week. Thank you Lord for these gifts. Indeed it is through your priests that we approach the altar of sacrifice, that we are sanctified and renewed in the Church. Lord send us holy priests who will love your house, who will love your ministry.
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