The blog of a group of Filipino Catholics and their frank commentary on anything that affects their lives as a citizen of the Philippines and as a Roman Catholics.
Showing posts with label proudly pinoy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proudly pinoy. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Armless lady pilot gives her award to the Holy Father!
And she is half Filipina! Read about Jessica Cox here.
"Imperfections" such as this would mean "elimination" for Planned Parenthood and their minions here in the Philippines?
You will hear the line: "Better she be not born rather than suffer for the rest of her life because of THAT!"
What if they are the ones being decided whether they should live or not?
Friday, November 19, 2010
No more Simbang Gabi in Malls
This news made my day!
***
MANILA, Nov. 19, 2010—The faithful who used to attend simbang gabi masses in malls are now urged to go to the parishes for the celebration. [Come to think of it, our parish church is our "home church".]
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in a directive sent to archdiocesan clergy said, simbang gabi masses will not be allowed anymore in malls “unless there is a chapel in the establishment, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with frequency and duly approved” by the archdiocese.
The guidelines are issued to ensure a “proper, solemn, dignified and meaningful celebration of the Simbang Gabi”, the cardinal said. [Huzzah!]
“We do not allow Simbang Gabi to be celebrated in corridors and hallways of shopping malls where the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is needlessly exposed to shoppers that are indifferent to the celebration,” Rosales said in the circular. [Can my dear TPC readers sign in and comment a HUMONGOUS "AMEN"?]
He said masses for simbang gabi should be celebrated in the parishes or chapels that are duly recognized by the parish.
Simbang gabi, also known as misa de aguinaldo is traditionally celebrated at early dawn, from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., although it is already a practice in many parishes to celebrate simbang gabi masses in the evening.
“If the Misa de Aguinaldo is celebration from 8:00 o’clock in the evening onwards, it should be motivated by genuine pastoral care for the spiritual benefit of the faithful,” the cardinal stressed. [I know one priest who even wanted to shorten the nine day Mass and have it to three, a sort of Triduum type. But I know his real motives behind it, but I do not want to spoil the great news. Maybe in another post.]
The simbang gabi masses celebrated in the evening started during martial law years because of the curfew imposed by the government at the time.
But the practice has remained because many faithful “who follow the urban rhythm of work find it easier to join in the evening instead of the dawn Masses.”
“We wish to encourage the practice of Simbang Gabi, whether at dawn or in the evening, because it is a great source of spiritual nourishment to our faithful,” the cardinal said.
But celebration of simbang gabi masses at other times such as morning, mid-day or late afternoon mass is not allowed since it “is not in keeping with the liturgical norms of the Archdiocese of Manila and is to be regarded as an abuse.” [How could it be called a Dawn Mass if it is not celebrated at dawn? The liturgical meaning of the dawn is so rich in that it tells the faithful to joyfully anticipate the coming of Jesus, like the sun rising from the East. There are biblical allusions to this and even the Fathers of the Church wrote about this but I do not have the luxury of time now to dig them up. Can my dear TPC readers help me in this one? I am sure Doc Ben can help in this one.]
The simbang gabi or the nine-day dawn masses preceding the feast of Christmas is a tradition brought into the country by the Spanish evangelizers. [Nine days...the same number of days the Apostles and the Blessed Mother spent waiting for the coming of the Paraclete. Thus, we have the novena.]
In 1953, the Plenary Council of the Philippines formally requested Rome for special dispensation to celebrate the nine-day dawn masses leading to Christmas. [And we got it! The only one in the world and Filipinos are known for this.]
Celebrated with solemnity, the simbang gabi masses are votive masses in honor of the Virgin Mary.
“For Filipino Catholics, Simbang Gabi is above all an expression of their filial devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. For nine consecutive days, they join and accompany her, so to speak, as she awaits the birth of her Son,” according to Rosales. [An allusion to the coming of the Son to the world as Man.]
“May the faith and devotion of Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of the Filipino nation, inspire us to receive in our hearts and home God’s surpassing Aguinaldo [Filipino for gift] in the person of Jesus Christ. [He is the greatest gift.] Let us keep her company through prayer and good works, so that she may also keep us company as we journey toward the fulfillment of God’s promise of peace in our nation and in the world,” the cardinal further said. (CBCPNews)
***
Will other bishops of the metro do the same thing?
Usually, they follow the liturgical directive of the Archdiocese of Manila, but it is something for us to wait and see.
In the meantime, a HUGE THANK YOU to His Eminence for this wonderful directive!
We need to bring back the sense of the sacred into the celebration of the Mass.
Gone were the days when we hear church bells peal for the Angelus and folks in the streets would stop dead in their tracks to pray.
We hope that this lukewarm attitude to this beloved prayer does not befall the Mass.
And I sincerely hope that this directive is followed suit in all dioceses all around the country.
And that all Sunday Masses in malls be done within a consecrated chapel.
Proper things in the proper place and in the proper time.
Old wine in old wine skin. New wine in new skins.
***
MANILA, Nov. 19, 2010—The faithful who used to attend simbang gabi masses in malls are now urged to go to the parishes for the celebration. [Come to think of it, our parish church is our "home church".]
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in a directive sent to archdiocesan clergy said, simbang gabi masses will not be allowed anymore in malls “unless there is a chapel in the establishment, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with frequency and duly approved” by the archdiocese.
The guidelines are issued to ensure a “proper, solemn, dignified and meaningful celebration of the Simbang Gabi”, the cardinal said. [Huzzah!]
“We do not allow Simbang Gabi to be celebrated in corridors and hallways of shopping malls where the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is needlessly exposed to shoppers that are indifferent to the celebration,” Rosales said in the circular. [Can my dear TPC readers sign in and comment a HUMONGOUS "AMEN"?]
He said masses for simbang gabi should be celebrated in the parishes or chapels that are duly recognized by the parish.
Simbang gabi, also known as misa de aguinaldo is traditionally celebrated at early dawn, from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., although it is already a practice in many parishes to celebrate simbang gabi masses in the evening.
“If the Misa de Aguinaldo is celebration from 8:00 o’clock in the evening onwards, it should be motivated by genuine pastoral care for the spiritual benefit of the faithful,” the cardinal stressed. [I know one priest who even wanted to shorten the nine day Mass and have it to three, a sort of Triduum type. But I know his real motives behind it, but I do not want to spoil the great news. Maybe in another post.]
The simbang gabi masses celebrated in the evening started during martial law years because of the curfew imposed by the government at the time.
But the practice has remained because many faithful “who follow the urban rhythm of work find it easier to join in the evening instead of the dawn Masses.”
“We wish to encourage the practice of Simbang Gabi, whether at dawn or in the evening, because it is a great source of spiritual nourishment to our faithful,” the cardinal said.
But celebration of simbang gabi masses at other times such as morning, mid-day or late afternoon mass is not allowed since it “is not in keeping with the liturgical norms of the Archdiocese of Manila and is to be regarded as an abuse.” [How could it be called a Dawn Mass if it is not celebrated at dawn? The liturgical meaning of the dawn is so rich in that it tells the faithful to joyfully anticipate the coming of Jesus, like the sun rising from the East. There are biblical allusions to this and even the Fathers of the Church wrote about this but I do not have the luxury of time now to dig them up. Can my dear TPC readers help me in this one? I am sure Doc Ben can help in this one.]
The simbang gabi or the nine-day dawn masses preceding the feast of Christmas is a tradition brought into the country by the Spanish evangelizers. [Nine days...the same number of days the Apostles and the Blessed Mother spent waiting for the coming of the Paraclete. Thus, we have the novena.]
In 1953, the Plenary Council of the Philippines formally requested Rome for special dispensation to celebrate the nine-day dawn masses leading to Christmas. [And we got it! The only one in the world and Filipinos are known for this.]
Celebrated with solemnity, the simbang gabi masses are votive masses in honor of the Virgin Mary.
“For Filipino Catholics, Simbang Gabi is above all an expression of their filial devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. For nine consecutive days, they join and accompany her, so to speak, as she awaits the birth of her Son,” according to Rosales. [An allusion to the coming of the Son to the world as Man.]
“May the faith and devotion of Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of the Filipino nation, inspire us to receive in our hearts and home God’s surpassing Aguinaldo [Filipino for gift] in the person of Jesus Christ. [He is the greatest gift.] Let us keep her company through prayer and good works, so that she may also keep us company as we journey toward the fulfillment of God’s promise of peace in our nation and in the world,” the cardinal further said. (CBCPNews)
***
Will other bishops of the metro do the same thing?
Usually, they follow the liturgical directive of the Archdiocese of Manila, but it is something for us to wait and see.
In the meantime, a HUGE THANK YOU to His Eminence for this wonderful directive!
We need to bring back the sense of the sacred into the celebration of the Mass.
Gone were the days when we hear church bells peal for the Angelus and folks in the streets would stop dead in their tracks to pray.
We hope that this lukewarm attitude to this beloved prayer does not befall the Mass.
And I sincerely hope that this directive is followed suit in all dioceses all around the country.
And that all Sunday Masses in malls be done within a consecrated chapel.
Proper things in the proper place and in the proper time.
Old wine in old wine skin. New wine in new skins.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
British - Filipino band's song is official theme of Papal UK visit!
The band's name is Ooberfüse. Here is their website.
The lead singer is a Filipina and she spoke in Filipino (Tagalog) in an interview I saw on TV, a far cry from some Filipinos who grew up here, migrated to another country and would not speak Tagalog when spoken to. Geez!
The music video was also shot in the Philippines. Most the scenes shown are from depressed communities in the country...and this is not something to be proud of.
The song is entitled "Hearts Cry".
Do you think this is appropriate for the Papal visit? Give us your thoughts.
Here is the lyrics of the song courtesy of the band's website:
Heart's Cry
"As Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter, I reaffirm – like my predecessors – that …hatred will never reign in the hearts of men again"
You’ve got to open your heart wide
To the Love that is inside
Source of life none can resist
Her fatal charms disperse the mist
Of hopelessness and deep despair
Broken wings she will repair
With Love
You’ve got to open your heart wide
To the Love that is inside
She is the force of raging passion
Melting hearts with Love’s compassion
Living water
Rushing tide
Flowing hidden deep inside
Tide of Love
"Hatred will never reign in the hearts of men again"
Hoping you’ll hear me
Love is my heart’s cry
That you would feel
Love is my heart’s cry
"Give voice to that cry"
You’ve got to open your heart wide
To the Love that is inside
When she knocks upon your door
Go help the poorest of the poor
Lying dying in the gutter
Like Theresa of Calcutta
Feel the love y'all!
You’ve got to open your heart wide
To the Love that is inside
Let Love sweep across the nation
And ignite a conflagration
Burning up all our defences
Pulling down dividing fences
With Love
"Hatred will never reign in the hearts of men again"
Hoping you’ll hear me
Love is my heart’s cry
That you would feel
Love is my heart’s cry
"Give voice to that cry"
"God lives, even though we sometimes find it difficult to grasp his mysterious and inscrutable ways."
I hear you call my name
Life won’t be the same
Hoping you’ll hear me
Love is my heart’s cry
That you would feel
Love is my heart’s cry
"Give voice to that cry"
Thursday, February 25, 2010
24 years ago...
Made me proud to be a Filipino...
Once I saw an Caucasian man here in Manila wearing a t-shirt that says, "If you want to stop a tank, call a Filipino!"
LONG LIVE FREEDOM!
For more of the historic revolution that inspired other peaceful revolutions around the world, click here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Proudly? Pinoy...
They have become instant celebrities. But these are no ordinary men.
They are inmates of Cebu Penitentiary and they danced one of Michael Jackson's hit songs.
The guy in the middle is Jackson's choreographer.
The title of the song speaks much...
Well, just a break...
Dancing inmates...
with Michael Jackson's choreographer...
Only in the Philippines!
I remember an interview I saw on TV of a wife of one of the prisoners say "I am proud that he is part of this."
Now that's an understatement.
They are inmates of Cebu Penitentiary and they danced one of Michael Jackson's hit songs.
The guy in the middle is Jackson's choreographer.
The title of the song speaks much...
Well, just a break...
with Michael Jackson's choreographer...
Only in the Philippines!
I remember an interview I saw on TV of a wife of one of the prisoners say "I am proud that he is part of this."
Now that's an understatement.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga's PSA for Typhoon Victims
Lea Salonga is a proud Pinoy and Catholic. She won the Tony Award for playing Kim in the Broadway Musical, Miss Saigon.
Please help the typhoon survivors.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Life and Martyrdom of the First Filipino Saint
"If I had a thousand lives, I will offer it all to him"
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
St. Lorenzo Ruiz
In case you are wondering, my profile photo shows the picture of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, first Pinoy saint and protomartyr of the Philippines. He was martyred during persecution of Japanese Christians under the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century.
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 to 1610. His father was Chinese and his mother was a native Tagalog.
During his youth he was an altar boy, sarcistan at the Binondo Church which serves the Filipino-Chinese community. He was educated by the Dominican Fathers and was their escribano (scribe) because of his skillful hand and unsurpassed penmanship.
It is most commonly believed that he left the Philippines in 1639 because the Spaniards believed he had committed a crime against them.
He left his wife and three children on 10 June 1636 with the aid of the Dominican Fathers led by Fr. Domingo Gonzales. He initially thought that they were bound for China but he later learned that the Dominican Fathers were in fact on a mission to plant the seeds of the Faith in Japan.
In Japan, Christians were persecuted and put to death as order by Tokugawa Yeyasu, the reigning shogun. St. Lorenzo Ruiz together with his imprisoned companions were captured and brought to Nagasaki around 10 July 1636. There they suffered incredible torture as they were hung by their feet and submerged in water till they neared death which brought some of St. Lorenzo's companions to recant their faith. Needles were pressed in between their finger nails and skin and they were beaten unconscious. These needles were then plucked like guitar strings. St. Lorenzo never lost his faith.
On 27 September 1637 he was taken with his companions to the "Mountain of Martyrs", the place of execution. There he was hung upside down into a pit in what was called a 'horca y hoya'. This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person so that the person suffocates faster and is crushed from their own and added weight. After two days, St. Lorenzo died. His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown into the sea.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to Manila on 18 February 1981, the first beatification outside of Vatican City. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on 18 October 1987 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Rome.
According to preserved records of his trials, when asked if he would renounce his Faith in order that he may live, St. Lorenzo said in reply, "That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God. I did not come to Japan to die as a martyr but for Him I will give a thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as you will please."
The miracle that led to his canonization took place when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio, a 2 year old girl suffering from a rare brain disease, brain atrophy (hydrocephalus), was cured through the intercession of the family and supporters to Lorenzo Ruiz. This took place in 1983. She was diagnosed shortly after her birth and was treated at Magsaysay Medical Center. Primary Treating Physicians was Dr. Felicidad Sotto. I remember reading a magazine article of the child's cure. She was shown holding a statuette of then-Blessed Lorenzo. When asked what happened, she said that she was lying on her sick bed, almost motionless from the pain of her brain disease when she noticed a light coming from where here feet were. She noticed a man holding a rosary, looking heavenward. The man did not speak and she did not know who he was. The vision did not last long. The following morning she was already feeling well and was even sitting on her bed. What she did not know was that her mother and friends prayed a novena to Blessed Lorenzo and placed a picture of the Beato on her pillow.
Well, that was what I remember from that article.
Here is a photo of St. Lorenzo in St. Peter's Basilica:
This is a mosaic found in the Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter
If you look closely, this is the inspiration for the bronze statue given by Blessed John Paul II to the Filipino people after the beatification of Lorenzo and his companion martyrs. The statue is located at Rizal Park.
Another bit of trivia. Notice the tree at the back? That was planted by Pope Paul VI when he visited the country, the first pope to ever do so.
Some useful links regarding the so-far only Pinoy Saint.
Homily of John Paul the Great on the Canonization of St. Lorenzo and Companion Martyrs (link)
Timeline of the miracle needed for the canonization (link)
Chapel of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in New York (link)
St. Lorenzo in the Communion of the Saints tapestries in the LA Cathedral (link)
[I am not a fan of this cathedral, though. Looks more like a theater than a cathedral]
Interior of the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (link) [This is the Saint's parish church and where he served as sacristan and escribano. Highly probable that dear Lorenzo served as an acolyte during the TLM.]
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 to 1610. His father was Chinese and his mother was a native Tagalog.
During his youth he was an altar boy, sarcistan at the Binondo Church which serves the Filipino-Chinese community. He was educated by the Dominican Fathers and was their escribano (scribe) because of his skillful hand and unsurpassed penmanship.
It is most commonly believed that he left the Philippines in 1639 because the Spaniards believed he had committed a crime against them.
He left his wife and three children on 10 June 1636 with the aid of the Dominican Fathers led by Fr. Domingo Gonzales. He initially thought that they were bound for China but he later learned that the Dominican Fathers were in fact on a mission to plant the seeds of the Faith in Japan.
In Japan, Christians were persecuted and put to death as order by Tokugawa Yeyasu, the reigning shogun. St. Lorenzo Ruiz together with his imprisoned companions were captured and brought to Nagasaki around 10 July 1636. There they suffered incredible torture as they were hung by their feet and submerged in water till they neared death which brought some of St. Lorenzo's companions to recant their faith. Needles were pressed in between their finger nails and skin and they were beaten unconscious. These needles were then plucked like guitar strings. St. Lorenzo never lost his faith.
On 27 September 1637 he was taken with his companions to the "Mountain of Martyrs", the place of execution. There he was hung upside down into a pit in what was called a 'horca y hoya'. This was the most painful way to die in those times and involved using rocks to add weight to the person so that the person suffocates faster and is crushed from their own and added weight. After two days, St. Lorenzo died. His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown into the sea.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to Manila on 18 February 1981, the first beatification outside of Vatican City. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received canonization on 18 October 1987 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Rome.
According to preserved records of his trials, when asked if he would renounce his Faith in order that he may live, St. Lorenzo said in reply, "That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God. I did not come to Japan to die as a martyr but for Him I will give a thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as you will please."
The miracle that led to his canonization took place when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio, a 2 year old girl suffering from a rare brain disease, brain atrophy (hydrocephalus), was cured through the intercession of the family and supporters to Lorenzo Ruiz. This took place in 1983. She was diagnosed shortly after her birth and was treated at Magsaysay Medical Center. Primary Treating Physicians was Dr. Felicidad Sotto. I remember reading a magazine article of the child's cure. She was shown holding a statuette of then-Blessed Lorenzo. When asked what happened, she said that she was lying on her sick bed, almost motionless from the pain of her brain disease when she noticed a light coming from where here feet were. She noticed a man holding a rosary, looking heavenward. The man did not speak and she did not know who he was. The vision did not last long. The following morning she was already feeling well and was even sitting on her bed. What she did not know was that her mother and friends prayed a novena to Blessed Lorenzo and placed a picture of the Beato on her pillow.
Well, that was what I remember from that article.
Here is a photo of St. Lorenzo in St. Peter's Basilica:
This is a mosaic found in the Altar of the Crucifixion of St. Peter
If you look closely, this is the inspiration for the bronze statue given by Blessed John Paul II to the Filipino people after the beatification of Lorenzo and his companion martyrs. The statue is located at Rizal Park.
Another bit of trivia. Notice the tree at the back? That was planted by Pope Paul VI when he visited the country, the first pope to ever do so.
Some useful links regarding the so-far only Pinoy Saint.
Homily of John Paul the Great on the Canonization of St. Lorenzo and Companion Martyrs (link)
Timeline of the miracle needed for the canonization (link)
Chapel of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in New York (link)
St. Lorenzo in the Communion of the Saints tapestries in the LA Cathedral (link)
[I am not a fan of this cathedral, though. Looks more like a theater than a cathedral]
Interior of the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (link) [This is the Saint's parish church and where he served as sacristan and escribano. Highly probable that dear Lorenzo served as an acolyte during the TLM.]
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