MARINDUQUE: More on the Boac Cathedral

We were very impressed with the beauty and antiquity of the Boac Cathedral. They retained the old reredo and the Baroque style altars. But I noticed that the High Altar was removed and replaced with a free standing altar. The communion rail was also gone. But nonetheless it has retained its old charm. I was fascinated by the life size carvings on the door of the Church. The carvings on the door depicts the four evangelists, namely Matthew, Luke, Mark and John. Indeed a beautiful theme to reflect on. Shown on picture is the writer and Ms. Oropesa our young instructor who used to be an undergraduate student in my class way back in 2002. She assisted me in looking after the welfare and safety of our students while they do their field research work.

MARINDUQUE: A VISIT & A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Photos and Narration by Dr. Herbert R.

Cathedral of the Diocese of Boac in Marinduque Island,
the Philippines My students seen entering the door of
the Cathedral Church

The Peace Studies Students on Field Research Practicum

Posed for a Souvinir Photo in Front of Boac Cathedral Church

The Journey of Faith begins with a a giant leap forward...

The Lord works in wonderful ways and in unexpected moments, imparting on us blessings that we sometimes do not ask for. Indeed the saying is true that no one can out do God in generosity. For He makes the sun shine and the rain fall on both the good and the bad, making the hearts of everyone glad. On May 9, 2007 we embarked on the field research practicum of my students. We intended to interview the people who had been affected by the accident in relation to the Mining Activities in Marinduque. We did not realize that our schedule also coincided with the 30th founding anniversary of the Diocese of Boac and the 50th anniversary of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Immediate Succor. In the Tagalog language known as Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa. The Diocese also built a new Shrine in order to promote devotion to Our Lady. We visited the Cathedral compound and Church and we were lucky because we were the first attendees to the first mass held at the new Shrine. The Shrine is brand new and the altar too. As the priest celebrant congratulated everyone of us for being first to attend the first mass ever said on the new shrine. I will show a picture of the Shrine in the posts that I will make after I get home. I am in the Island still while posting this message. I am using my cell phone as modem for my PC hence posting bloggs is really very difficult to do because connection to the internet is slow.

When I entered this Cathedral, a sense of nostalgia entered into my consciousness and a deep love for Our Lady was evoked in my heart. I know this is the home of my dearest Mother, the Great Theotokus. "Oh Mother of Immediate Succor, aid us in our life's trials and difficulties. Above all grant us by your prayers to God, peace of mind and the grace to persevere till the end. Amen."

St. Gregory the Illuminator

St. Gregory the Illuminator, Founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church

The above picture shows the image of St. Gregory the Illuminator as displayed in the Vatican. St. Gregory is considered to be the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a very ancient church. St. Gregory is venerated in the Church as Doctor and Theologian, recognized by both the Latin and Eastern Orthodox. St. Gregory the Illuminator founded and established Christianity in Armenia by way of conversion. Today Christianity is every inch a part of Armenian cultural and national identity. Armenia was the first nation to declare Christianity as state religion. This helped in the spread of Christianity and the evangelization of Armenia. It is interesting also to note that today Karekin II, the Catholicos of all Armenia is on a visit to Rome. Here is a quote from zenit : "Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, attended the Pope's general audience today, and both leaders exchanged formal greetings. The Holy Father told the patriarch, "Your Holiness, I pray that the light of the Holy Spirit will illumine your pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the important meetings you will have here, and particularly our personal conversations. I ask all who are present today to pray for God's blessing upon this visit.' " You can read more of this story from zenit.org. The Armenian Church separated from Rome after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. In recent years however there is a growing friendship between the Catolicos of All Armenia and the See of Rome. The visits, exchanges, and meetings are pointing positively towards closer ties.

This is my opinion: I believe that the Holy Father is working very hard to promote Christian Unity. Indeed one of the most important ministry of St. Peter is to feed the sheep. This mandate was expressed and declared by Christ as narrated in the last chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. Let us pray very hard for Pope Benedict XVI as he fulfills this Petrine Ministry. "That they may be one". So that the will of Christ be observed - It is the will of God that all Christians should be united under one shepherded and one Lord. But the way to unity is a tortuous road to follow. Difficult and calls for personal sacrifices. But this is the Humanity of the Church. Human as she is, she has to struggle, bu since she is Divine in origin she has the destiny of achieving the will of God. For Christ and the Church are one! We pray that all of us will meet in that Great banquet in Heaven. The Marriage of the Lamb.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, you have sent St. Gregory the illuminator as an example of patience, faith and perseverance. Grant us these virtues as we pursue unity in the Church. May we all come to the unity of faith, and in recognition of the One Church you founded on earth under the loving guidance of St. Peter and his successors. So that we will always be conscious of the unity that we have in the "communion of the Saints". We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Pray for us.

The Commander of the Hosts of God

St. Michael the Archangel Picture by Guido Reni

In many towns and villages in the Philippines whose titular or Patron Saint is the Archangel Michael, May 8 is a special day. St. Michael is a favorite Saint, perhaps because of his role in the Kingdom of God as defender of the Church. St. Michael pray for us.

May 5, St. Pope Pius V, Pope & Confessor

Pope St. Pius V, Pope & Confessor

I almost forgot, May 5 is the feast of Pope Pius V. One of the very important task undertaken by this great Pope was the revision and codification of the Roman Missal as mandated by the Council of Trent. He vigorously fought the heresies of his time, instilled discipline among the clergy, and a very good inquisitor, zealous for orthodoxy. In October 7, 1571, under his encouragement the Battle of Lepanto was won. This battle is very important because it finally prevented the westward push of Muslim influence in Europe. The Battle of Lepanto was dedicated in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

Propagating the Traditional Latin Mass in Bicol: Iriga City

I was privilege to be invited on May 4,2008 to assist in the TLM celebrated by Fr. Abe, CRS in connection with the retreat he conducted with the nuns and novices of the Siervas de Jesus Convent in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Iriga is a City in the Center of the Bicol Peninsula. Fr. Abe wanted to provide the sisters a window to the ancient Liturgy of the Latin Rite. It seems now that through this apostolate, the TLM is being propagated little by little in the Bicol Peninsula where the Traditional Forms of the Liturgy has vanished since the post conciliar reform of the Liturgy. We were delighted to have the Superior of the House sing, who herself is a musician and singer. So we had a schola for the first time since the TLM was celebrated last February 2008 in Sorsogon City. This was our first Missa Cantata. Indeed it was edifying to observe how the sisters sang and responded to the dialogues of the Mass. It was also their first time to observe the silent recitation of the Canon of the Mass. Indeed what a fitting spiritual treat to retreatants to savour the beauty of this ancient liturgy celebrated by saints of old and until now continues to edify the faithful. Even if bereft of vestments and other minor vessels, the Mass in its ancient form can be celebrated in the most dignified way. And it never fails to exude it spiritual beauty and radiance. A delight to the souls of them that trusts in the Lord, who listens to His Word and accept the gift of salvation. What shall I give to the Lord for all the things He has done unto me? I will take the cup of salvation and praise the name of the Lord!

The Introit

Offertory

The Major Elevation of the Host

Communion of the Faithful

Communion of the Faithful

St. Athanasius, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

San Vicente Valley, El Salvador, Central America

I took this picture way back in August of 1997 on my Trip to

that Central American Country

Tonight as I was preparing to go to bed, I was thinking of what to meditate on. Suddenly I remember to peruse my Hand Missal and on the Calendar I saw that yesterday was the feast of St. Athanasius. What symbol, I ask myself, befits this man, Bishop and Saint who lived through one of the turbulent times in the History of the Church. He lived at an aged characterized by the different Christological concepts competing with each other. The Church in its puberty was struggling to conceived the nature of Christ. Athanasius opposed the teaching of Arius, the leader of the Arian Heresy who denied the divinity of Christ. St. Athanasius wrote many books and articles that defended the divinity of Christ. Thus, I thought of the Mountain. Strong immovable and cannot tumble. That was the faith of St. Athanasius, strong, anchored on the "Rock".

Venerated Icon of St. Athanasius at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt

Let me offer a prayer and join me as you read:

Almighty Father, through your Son Jesus Christ and through the strength that the consolation of the Holy Ghost brings, you have chosen St. Athanasius to be a hero of the Church. A defender of orthodox doctrine and a defender of faith in your Son. help us by your grace and inspiration to overcome, like St. Athanasius, the modern day Arians, who deny the divinity and the efficacy of your Son's atonening Sacrifice on Calvary. By St. Athanasius's example make us heroes of the faith even in our little ways. We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Athanasius, Pray for us. Amen