Holy Thursday in the Catholic Church

We enter the last three days of Holy Week: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is called the Easter or Sacred Triduum (Triduum Sacrum), which is the three-part drama of Christ's redemptive act.

Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday". The word "maundy" is derived from the Latin "mandatum" which means commandment. It is in reference to what Jesus said to his apostles at the Last Supper after the washing of their feet:

           

                                "I give you a new commandment: Love one another

                                  as I have loved you." (John 13:34)

In all Catholic churches only two Masses are allowed on Holy Thursday: the Chrism Mass in the morning, and the evening Mass of the Last Supper.

Chrism Mass

Each diocese celebrates the Chrism Mass or the Mass of the Holy Oils presided by the bishops with all his priests in the diocese con-celebrating, usually at the cathedral of the diocese.

The bishop blesses the holy oils during the Mass, which will be used throughout the diocese for the following year in ministering the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the sacrament of the Sick.

The Chrism Mass is also a solemn observance of the institution by Christ himself of the priesthood during the Last Supper with his disciples. That is why all the priests in the diocese celebrate with their bishop and together they renew their sacerdotal priesthood.

The Catholic faithful are encouraged to participate in Chrism Mass at least once in their lives to experience the communion of priests with their bishop, so that together they celebrate Chrism Mass as a People of God or the Living Church.

Mass of the Last Supper

The Mass of the Last Supper is celebrated in the evening of Holy Thursday. The timing is so because the original Passover by the Jews began at sundown.

The liturgy of the Mass recalls the Passover, the Last Supper, which includes the washing of the feet of the disciples.

Since this is the only Mass in the evening of this day, the whole community and the priests of the parish participate. It is a joyful Mass as we recall the institution by Christ of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. The priests wear vestments with liturgical color white, the altar is filled with flowers, the "Gloria" is sung, and the church bells are rung.

After the singing of the "Gloria" we shall not hear organ music and the ringing of the bells until the Easter Vigil in the evening of Holy Saturday.

The final blessing by the priest after the Communion Prayer is omitted.  Instead the Holy Eucharist is carried in procession through the church and then transferred into a place of reposition, usually a side altar.

When the Mass is completed, we now recall and reflect on the Agony in the Garden, and the arrest and imprisonment of Jesus. Thus in keeping with the sorrowful mood the altar is stripped bare, crosses are removed or covered with purple cloth.

The Altar of Repose

We remain in quiet prayer and adoration at the altar of repose where the Holy Eucharist has been placed after the procession. This is in keeping with Christ's invitation to his disciples to keep him company, "Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?" (Matt 26:40)

After mid-night on Holy Thursday, the adoration of the Holy Eucharist concludes without solemnity, since the day of the Lord's Passion has began.

"Visita Inglesia"

There is an inspiring Filipino tradition, particularly in big cities with many parishes, to try to visit seven churches and their altar of repose during the evening of Holy Thursday. This is called "Visita Iglesia" which is a good culmination of our devotion on Holy Thursday, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord during his agony on the Mount of Olives, before the betrayal by Judas.

The Road to Calvary

After the "Visita Iglesia", we end Holy Thursday in spiritual meditation as we now prepare ourselves to journey with our Lord tomorrow  on the Road to Calvary.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Sources: CatholicCulture.org and Catholic Online

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Palm Sunday, which falls on March 24, 2013, marks the end of the Catholic Lent Season and the beginning of Holy Week. The liturgy for this Sunday is one of the most beautiful prayers for Lent.

The vestment used by the priest, and the liturgical color is red.

The official liturgical title of this day is "Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion". Because it brings together the triumphal procession of Christ as King and the proclamation of his Passion.  There are two important thoughts we can glean from the Church rite:

1.  Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is commemorated by means of a solemn procession of palm branches.

The people gather together in a lesser church or in another suitable place outside the church.  The rite of the blessing of palm branches by the priest takes place.

In Christianity, palm branches signify victory over the prince of death. It is a sign of victory over the flesh and the world, according to Psalm 92:13 (Justus ut palma florebit,  which means "The just shall flourish like the palm tree.") Palms are especially associated with the memory of the martyrs of the Church. For example, our second Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod carries a palm branch to signify his martyrdom.

Also, palm branches have been used by all nations as an emblem of joy and victory over enemies.

In places where palm trees cannot be found, branches of olive or other trees are used. In such cases at least little flowers or crosses made of palm be attached to the olive boughs.

After the ceremony of the blessing of the palms, the first Gospel reading of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem (according to Luke 19:28-40) is proclaimed. A short homily may be given by the priest, but it is optional.

Then, the procession of the blessed palms to the church follows. The people take part in the procession singing and waving branches of the palm tree or other trees in their hands.

2.    Jesus' suffering and death, according to Luke 23:1-49:

Part Two of this Sunday's liturgy is the celebration of Holy Mass when the procession is inside the church and the priest-celebrant reaches the altar proper.

In the Gospel part, the narration of the Lord's Passion is read without candles, incense, initial greeting or marking of the book with the sign of the cross.

The main Gospel may be read by a deacon, or even by lay readers, the part of Christ being reserved if possible to the priest-celebrant. At the end of the reading is said, "The Gospel of the Lord",  but the book is not kissed.

The main homily is given after the Gospel reading.

Then the celebration of the Holy Mass continuous, as the usual liturgy.

After the Palm Sunday ceremony, the blessed palms are taken home by the faithful and devoutly kept at home to call to mind the victory of Christ as celebrated by today's procession.

A blessed Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion to all.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Sources: Ordo 2013 and Catholic Encyclopedia

Edsa 1 Remembered: 25 February 2013

On the 27th anniversary of Edsa 1, we thank the Lord for the peaceful change of government from the dictatorship back to democracy.

We, the people of our generation, should value and take care of the people's freedom in a democratic society. The Catholic Church has been among the leaders of Edsa 1, and nobody cried about the "separation of church and state", except of course the dictatorship.

In this coming mid-term election, it is the duty of the Church to guide people in the exercise of their right to vote to ensure a healthy and functioning democracy in our country, through the check-and-balance among the three branches of government, which is the very foundation of people empowerment. Let us not allow the Executive to have effective control of the Legislative and Judicial branches of government.

Let us vote for a senate and congress that will champion the foundation of a true democratic government and not just kowtow to the dictates of the executive, using the the country development funds as "carrots-and-sticks".

It has happened in the passing into law of the RH bill. Let it not happen again. Let us rise up and ensure a truly democratic Philippines in this coming mid-term election.

Sharing the Word

01 January 2013: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

(Liturgical color: White)

Luke 2:16-21

New Year: a new journey with Mary, Mother of God!

It is with great joy that I greet all my internet friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2013!

New Year fills our heart with new hopes, inspiring us to reach out for new opportunities, and celebrating the gift of life. But some people also look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. That is our choice.

The Catholic Church opens the new year by proclaiming Mary as the Mother of God. It was the Council of Ephesus which affirmed in June 431 that our Blessed Mother can rightfully be called Mother of God.

The title of Mary, Mother of God does not mean that Mary is the source of Jesus' divinity. This doctrine is sufficiently explained by competent Church theologians, which you may want to read further. As a student of Philosophy, I believe in this doctrine based on this logical syllogism: if Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. And of course, as a true Catholic I believe in all the teachings of my Church, which rightfully proclaims Mary, Mother of God.

We honor Mary, Mother of God for her courage and selfishness, her faith and her devotion. As Jesus' mother, she too must have felt afraid at certain moments in her maternal role, like when the child Jesus was lost and found in the temple after three days, and certainly during the agony and death of the grown-up Jesus, but Mary's complete trust in God made her accept the role of a mother to God the Son.

In Luke's gospel for today, the poor shepherds who were the first witnesses of the birth of the Messiah, went in haste to Bethlehem after receiving the Good News from the angel. There they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger just as what the angel told them. Again in humility and complete obedience to God's will, "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."

It is right that we start our spiritual journey in the new year under the loving guidance and protection of Mary, Mother of God, and our mother too. As our mother, "let us entrust to her our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows as we begin the New Year." Because "mothers are almost always the first to touch our lives."

In Mary we find a perfect model of being christian and disciple of Jesus. Because she was the joy-filled mother of the new born Christ; she was the mother of sorrow cradling her dead Son in the "Pieta"; and she is the Queen-Mother standing at the right hand of the Glorified Lord, which we proclaim in the Fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary.

Let us begin our new journey in the Year 2013 with this prayer to Mary, Mother of God:

O Blessed Virgin,
pray to God for us always,
that He may pardon and give us grace;
pray to God for us always,
that He may grant us peace in this life;
pray to God for us always,
that He may reward us with paradise at our death.
Amen.

A Blessed and Prosperous New Year 2013 all. Thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Simbang Gabi in the Philippines

As our Advent pilgrimage draws so near to Christmas Day, Catholics in the Philippines begin their spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with novena Masses popularly called "Simbang Gabi".

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a devotional nine-day novena in honor of the Blessed Mother in preparation for Christmas. It is a tradition with deep roots in the country's religious culture, and one of the longest and most popular among Filipino traditions in the Philippines. Simbang Gabi expresses the faith of Filipinos who hold the belief that God is ever present in human history, in the simple joys and anxieties of life's humblest activities.

This novena Mass begins on December 16 until 24. Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn at 4 or 5 in the morning, to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi Mass.

Many urban parishes now celebrate anticipated Simbang Gabi around 8 or 9 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of people on a great variety of work schedules. Anticipated Simbang Gabi Masses start on December 15 to 23.

Origin

It is said that Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico in 1587.  Here in the Philippines it originated in the early days of Spanish rule. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture.

Christmas Celebration

The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi in the Philippines. The tradition continuous to our generation, although the celebration incorporates new ways. For example, there are colorful lights and lanterns that fill every street leading to the churches. Songs of the season are played to warm the hearts. Families, friends and the faithful in general go to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena Mass. And shortly after Mass families go back home to feast on various delicacies like bibingka, puto bungbong or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

Relevance

Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It provides a significant moment to strengthen relationship among family members. More importantly, it is a time when our faith is intensified. It is the time when we feel the presence of the Lord because it is our spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

The old Spanish name for the Simbang Gabi is actually "Misa de Aguinaldo". The phrase offers some insight into the meaning of Simbang Gabi. In Spanish "aguinaldo" means a gift. So Misa de Aguinaldo suggests a gift for the Child Jesus on his birthday. Because the observance of Simbang Gabi is somewhat a sacrifice of love as it requires dedication, will power and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all of one's daily duties and obligations.

It is good to be able to complete the nine-day novena Masses. Even if we miss some days, the blessing does not depend on the number of Mass attended. What is important is the disposition of the person who makes some sacrifice of waking up early to attend the Simbang Gabi Mass and receive the Lord's blessing.

Church Bells Ring

Let the bells of Simbang Gabi break the pre-dawn silence of the whole land. For the bells of Simbang Gabi offer a message of hope in God, especially at this crucial time when the Catholic Church is under intense attack for defending the gift of life.

Let us hope in God, and pray for peace on earth to people of good will.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

The Advent Wreath

The Advent Season is our preparation for the big event that is Christmas. In Churches and chapels, including most homes and offices, we see a beautiful symbolism of Advent in the Advent Wreath.

The Advent Wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition, which is very much a part of our spiritual preparation for Christmas.

The Advent Wreath is made up of various evergreens in circle, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, depicts the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found only in Christ, the eternal Word of the Father.

The four candles in the Advent Wreath refer to the four weeks of Advent. According to tradition, each week represents one hundred years, to sum up to the four thousand years from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior.

Three of the candles are color purple and one is color rose. In particular, the purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifice, and the good works the faithful undertake at this time in preparation for Christ's birth.

The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, which is also called "Gaudete Sunday", or the Sunday of rejoicing. It is so because the faithful are now at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas Day.

Some modern day adaptation of the Advent Wreath includes a while candle in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ, the Light of the World. It is lit on Christmas eve.

The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord's first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

Prayers for the Advent Wreath: (usually at the start of Sunday Mass)

1st Sunday of Advent:

Father, as we begin our Advent pilgrimage, we light a candle of Hope.

Grant us the courage to hope: hope for your presence, hope for your peace, hope for  your promise. Amen.

2nd Sunday of Advent:

Father, as we journey down the Advent road, we re-light the candle of Hope, and we light a candle of Peace.

Grant us the courage to make peace: peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in our communities. Amen.

3rd Sunday of Advent:

Father, at the height of our Advent walk, we re-light the candles of Hope and Peace, and we light a candle of Joy.

Grant us the courage to experience joy in the hope of the Savior's coming: joy in the face of apathy, joy in the face of sorrow, joy in the face of uncertainty. Amen.

4th Sunday of Advent:

Father, as our Advent pilgrimage draws to a close, we re-light the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy. And we light a candle of Love.

Grant us the courage to share your love: love for life and all creation, love for sinners and saints, love for the poor and the little ones. We thank you for the hope your Son gives us, for the peace he bestows, for the joy your Spirit pours into our hearts, and for your love that redeems us and shows us the way. Amen.

Christmas Eve: (Suggested prayer)

O God, who made this most sacred night radiant with the splendor of the true light in Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Deo Optimo Maximo!