NUNS GROUP GETS REBUKE FROM THE CDF

"In the end, the point is this: The Holy See believes that the charismatic vitality of religious life can only flourish within the ecclesial life of the church," the cardinal said. Read more from CNS Story

300 Years of Devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia: God's Gift to the Bikolanos

Photos belong to Dr. Herbert R.

September is not only a month for important saints but for the Bikolanos [read the side bar about the Bikolanos] of the Philippines this month is very important because this is the month of the Penafrancia Festival. This festival is phenomenal, uniquely and phenomenally Bikolano in fervor. The Love and Devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son Jesus is celebrated and is a full expression of how Christianity has been inculturated among the Bikolanos. The gospel of Christ did not come to destroy culture but to refine and sanctify it so that it may conform to the light of the Gospel of Christ. The simplicity and the love of the Bikolanos for the Lord is manifested in this festival .

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Icon of the Divino Rostro Displayed in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia in Naga City, Archdiocese of Caceres

The Nave of the Basilica Minore

The Interior of the Basilica Minore. The Central Reredo Enshrines the Original Icon of the Lady of Penafrancia, Venerated by the Bikolanos for almost 300 years. The Bikolanos is an ethno-linguistic group in the Philippines and considered the most ardent Catholics of the Philippines.

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Penafrancia

The exterior of the Basilica. proudly a Testament to the Bikolanos devotion to the Blessed Mother. A Crown Jewel of Faith. This was conceived in the 1950 - 60s and the building of this Basilica went piece by piece because of financial constraints. Thus you will notice that the interior still has the liturgical concept of the Pre-Vatican era, with its high altar attached to the reredo. But the railings were removed, but nonetheless the interior is still very much pre-Vatican in Design and suited for the tridentine Mass. But as of now there is no public celebration of the Tridentine Mass despite of the Summorum Pontificum. But the stream of devotees is indeed a testament of the love of the people for the virgin and the Virgins dispensing of the grace of her Son. The icon is said to be miraculous and has wrought countless miracles as testified to by her devotees.

The Old Church of Our Lady of Penafrancia that originally housed the Image now a parish church, but still a pilgrim site

The Interior of the Penafrancia Church, a Jewel of Baroque Art

The Old Parish Church that originally housed the original icon. But with the growing number of devotees the church has become too small so ecclesiastical authorities decided to move the image to the Basilica.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City, Province of Camarines Sur, Philippines

The Main Altar and Nave of the Metropolitan Cathedral

The Blessed Sacrament

The Chapel of the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral. It is customary for large Cathedral to have a separate reservation for the Blessed Sacrament in order to protect the Sanctity of the Real Presence. In Cathedrals like these the steady stream of pilgrims, tourists and other non-Catholic people will unduly disturb the solemnity if the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the High Altar.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City. Naga City is a city of churches. Sort of Rome for Catholics here in Bikol. The Bikolanos were greatly honored when the Church elected the first Filipino Bishop from the Bikolanos, Bishop Jorge Balin. During the revolution, the revolutionaries drafted the name of Jorge Balin to be a member of the schismatic movement of Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, but Bishop Balin steadfastly clung to his fidelity to the Vicar of Christ and his steadfast adherence to the authority of the Roman Pontiff. Bishop Jorge Balin became the first Filipino Bishop.

Near the Cathedral Compound is the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. Alma Mater to renowned prelates and clergy

Here are some useful sites for those wanting to read more and know more about Our Lady of Penafrancia. If the Blessed Mother touch your hearts please do visit these sites:

Images of Intense Devotion
Viva La Virgen!
Penafrancia Fiesta 2008

Reminiscence: The Catholic Church in Bandung, Indonesia

While checking my computer files this afternoon I found these photos. I took this pictures in November of 2007 during my second visit to Bandung, Indonesia. Bandung is the Capital City of West Java province. Its a two-hour drive from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Bandung has a long colonial History under the Dutch. It was the favorite vacation hide-away of the Dutch and even today it is still a famous tourist city in Indonesia. It is called Parsi von Java (the Paris of Java) It is connected by a six lane highway from Jakarta making land trip easier and faster. The majority of the People living in Bandung are called Sundanese or simply, Sunda. They have a reputation for beauty and gracefulness and also a valiant history. In 2007 I participated in the Programme Training on the Human Rights and Equal Status of Women in Southeast Asia sponsored by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Lund, Sweden in cooperation with the Padjadjaran University in Bandung. The two weeks workshop was hectic from dawn to dusk. But I tried my best to find time to visit the Cathedral of Bandung. The titular of the Cathedral is St. Peter. I was able to attend a Sunday Mass. The Sunday Mass was marvelous very solemn. The responsorial Psalms were sung and the Music were traditional hymns, very reverent in rendition. I hope that our Masses here in the Philippines could be celebrated in the same way. To think that in Indonesia Catholics are in a Minority. Yet despite of being a Minority Group, the Catholic Church exert influence especially in the field of Education. There are famous universities in Indonesia run by the Jesuits. In bandung they have the Parahayangan Catholic University, famous and one of the oldes in West Java. Established and administered by the Jesuits.

The Belfry of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Bandung, Indonesia

The Cathedral of Bandung is located in the City Center of Bandung located near the Bank of Indonesia Building and the Central Police Station. It is a prominent building and a sight to behold. Can you imagine the Catholic Church, a mere minority in Indonesia, yet it has a huge cathedral right in the Middle of Bandung? Indonesia is tolerant and respects freedom of religion. Although there is freedom of religion, the state recognizes only six religions, Islam, Roman Catholic, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

The Chancery, Bandung, Indonesia

This is the chancery and Pastoral center of the Diocese of Bandung. The Bishop's chair was vacant since January 19, 2006. It was only in May 17, 2008 that Johannes Maria Trilaksyanta Pujasumarta was elected as its current Bishop.

In front of the Chancery

After the mass, I tried every effort to meet the Parish Priest. I kissed his hand in a gesture of respect and I tried to strike a conversation with him in English. But he found it hard to speak in English instead he keep on talking to me in Bahasa Indonesia. But nonetheless he was delighted when I told him that I came from the Philippines.

The Cathedral Church in early Morning Dawn

Bank of Indonesia Building in Bandung

Co-Participants in the Human Rights Training in Small group Discussion, Malya Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia

"SANTACRUZAN"

The month of May is a festive month in the Philippines. It is the month where most fiestas are celebrated in by villages and towns. Above all the Filipinos have a beautiful cultural as well as religious tradition known as "Santacruzan". The "Santracruzan" is a folkloric reenactment of the exultation of the Holy Cross. The different living dioramas shows Constantine as a little boy together with his mother St. Helena. On a given date a prade is held in the village or town where people renact the finding of the True Cross. This activity specially delightful to children. As a child I had fond memories of this events. We certainly love to participate in these processions and tableus because after the processions we were always treated with cookies, sweets and drinks by the Hemano or Hermana Mayor. The Hermano or Hermana is the leading lay person in the community who by recognized piety and means is willing to provide for the needs of the festivals. The Santacruzans are usually initiated by lay persons. The Procession is always preceded by a huge lantern made in the shape of a cross with bamboo as frames and Japanese paper as cover. The Cross usually depicts the symbols of torture such as the crown of thorns, the nails and flagellation instruments. On the side of the Cross there are two lanterns made in the shape of stars. Then at the middle of the procession is the Cross born on a platform with women and children singing as the procession goes its way. The singers are called cantoras (singers / chanters), the singing are accompanied by drums and trumpets as well as other musical instruments. Actually this folksy religious practice is Hispanic in origin, promoted by the Spanish Missionaries during the colonial period. The Friars were very creative in trying to convey the truth of the Christian Faith to the native population who were still young in faith. This practice aside from entertaining is also cultural. Although in some places this practice as denigrated into fashion shows, still in many rural areas it has retained its charm and religious significance.

The Shrine of St. Helena in the Vatican

The Santacruzan is taken from the story of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. St. Helena is a woman of Character, simplicity, and deep personal piety. She was marrid to a Roman General and bore him a son - Constantine. She was divorced by her husband and after the death of her husband Constantine became Emperor and subsequently made Chriatianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. You can read more about her from the Wikepedia.

The three crosses are discovered. An injured young man is healed by the True Cross. 15th century frescoes at the Church of San Francesco, Arezzo by Piero della Francesca.